Rafi Ahmed Kidwai

RAFI AHMED KIDWAI

Date of Birth: 18^th February, 1894 and Date of Death: 24^th October, 1954

            Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, was the answer to the big question ‘Who was next to Nehru for the post of Prime Minister of India?’ was born to Imthiaz Ali Kidwai and Rashi-ul-Nisa, in Masouli village of Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh on 18^th February, 1894.  Rafi lost his mother at the age of ten and was brought up by his uncle Inayat Ali, from whom he inherited the Anti-British ideology.  When he was a student at the Aligarh Muslim University, he was branded as a ‘Dangerous Person’ for his open Anti-British ideas.  In response to the call given by Mahatma Gandhi he left Aligrah to join the National Movement.  He led the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement in Barabanki district.  Since then, he played a vital role in the National Movement both at State level and National levels.  Though he hailed from a Zamindar family, surprisingly and in fitness to his ideology, gave a call for the abolishment of the Zamindari system.  Hopeful of changes in the policies of the Indian National Congress, he agreed to enter the Assembly.  He won the elections held in 1935 under the leadership of Motilal Nehru and became a Minister.  During his tenure as a Minister, he proposed several reforms.  The Indian National Congress assigned to him the responsibility of organising the Anti War Satyagraha Movement in October, 1940, which he discharged successfully.  He was arrested during that movement.  He spent a total period of ten years in the Jails during the National Movement.  When most of the leaders were in Jails after the Quit India Movement, Muslim League started strengthening itself.  At that time, he faced the Muslim League with all his capabilities and efforts.  He started a magazine ‘Quami Awaz’ to foil the divisionary tactics of the Muslim League and also wrote several articles in news papers like the ‘National Herald’ to disseminate the secular thoughts.  He had enormous respect towards the culture of integrity and civilization of India.  Thus he dedicated himself to the protection of Indian culture.  He felt that, the division of India meant the division of the culture of common integrity.  He held different posts in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru after 1947, when India became an Independent Nation.  Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, who played an effective role both in the Government and in the Civil Society, was adored by the masses.  He spent all his life in serving the people and the nation.  He passed away on 24^th October, 1954, when he collapsed while addressing a public meeting in Delhi.