Dr. Umar Ali Shah

DR. UMAR ALI SHAH

Date of Birth: 28^th February, 1885 and Date of Death: 23^rd January, 1945

            Dr. Umar Ali Shah, who was a scholarship, spirituality and love of the country personified, was born on 28^th February, 1885 in Pithapuram, East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.  A tall scholar of Telugu literature, he composed poems at a very young age and was suitably titled Kavigaaru (Mr. Poet).  He was gifted polyglot.  He wrote a number of articles preaching nationalism, patriotism, gender equality, fraternity and communal harmony.  He also criticized social evils and desired the welfare of women, reforms in the society and positive awareness among people.  He was honoured with prestigious ‘Pundit’ title in 1924 by the All India Oriental Conference.  Aligarh Muslim University honoured him with the title of ‘Moulvi’ and the Aran University of France honoured him with ‘Professor in Hindu-Muslim Culture’ Award.  The Academia International America decorated him with the Doctor of Literature.  Umar Ali Shah took membership in the Indian National Congress in 1916 and participated in several agitations and programmes, which were held as a part of the Indian Nationalist Movement.  He worked as the General Secretary of the All India Khilafat Committee in All India Congress Conferences, which was held at Kakinada in 1923-24.  He also led the Muslim League as its General Secretary and Vice-President.  He was appointed as the Captain of Khilafat Voluntary Corps.  As he was renowned orator, he used to be invited to deliver lectures in different meetings and conferences held as a part of the Indian independence movement.  He toured in the whole Madras presidency inspiring and attracting people towards freedom movement.  He was praised by Gandhiji as a person of noble political thoughts.  He resigned from the Indian National Congress in 1930 and won the elections for the Central Legislative Assembly in 1935 with the support of Muslim League.  He joined the Muslim League, on the invitation of Mohammad Ali Jinnah.  However, he rejected the proposal for the division of the nation on the flimsy ground of religion.  When he was the member of the Central Legislative Assembly from 1935 to 1945, he was consulted in formulation of various legislations.  He took part in the conference of the All India Muslim League organised at Tenali, Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.  Dr. Umar Ali Shah died suddenly at Narsapuram in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on 23^rd January, 1945.