Mohammad Asif Ali

MOHAMMAD ASIF ALI

Date of Birth: 11^th May, 1888 and Date of Death: 2^nd April, 1953

            Mohammad Asif Ali, who fought legal battles to save Sardar Bhagat Singh and the warriors of the Azad Hind Fouj (Indian National Army), was born on 11^th May, 1888 in Nagina village, in Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh.  He had his higher studies in London and started his legal practice in Delhi after returning to India.  His political life commenced by participating in the Home Rule Movement led by Anne Besant.  He married Aruna Gangooly.  When the British Government imposed ban on his speeches and writings, he fought a legal battle against the Government, which brought him name and fame.  Responding to the call given by the Indian National Congress, he joined it and dedicated himself as a whole time worker in the freedom movement giving up his legal practice.  He was imprisoned for 18 months for participating in the propaganda for the Indian National Movement.  Later, he attended the Muslim League Conference in 1924 and played a vital role in the formulation of the resolution of ‘Independence’.  He also played an active role in the drafting of new Constitution in place of the Government of India Act, 1919 as the member of the Committee for drafting the Constitution.  He fought against communalism without compromise and never pardoned the leaders who were provoking the idea of dividing India on religious grounds.  As a leader of the Indian National Movement, he led several programmes with utmost sense of responsibility, for which he had to spend much of his time in jail.  He won in the elections held in 1945 from Delhi, and joined in Cabinet led by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.  Later, he took part in the discussions for the drafting of the Indian Constitution and took much interest for the protection and introduction of the secular ideology into constitution.  During his legal fractioned career, he fought legal battles against the British Government on behalf of Shadeed Sardar Bhagat Singh and also for the Indian National Army warriors.  He worked as the secretary of the INA Defence Committee, which was formed by the Indian National Congress.  He held different posts after 1947 in Independent India and brought international fame for the Nation.  Mohammad Asif Ali, who was an eminent advocate, a talented writer in Urdu, a sharp critic, a committed leader for the best cause of the nation, an excellent orator and an able ambassador, passed away on 2^nd April, 1953 to the deep grief of the near and dear and the people at large.