Zaheerudin Ali Khan revolutionised Urdu journalism and championed social justice

Hyderabad: Condolences poured in from all sections of society for Zaheerudin Ali Khan, the Managing Editor of Siasat Daily who died following a heart attack. Khan, 63, died suffered a cardiac arrest while he was participating in the funeral procession of renowned poet Balladeer Gaddar on Monday evening.

Khan was among the most popular and phenomenal socio-political activists, known for his role in the Telangana statehood movement and social justice as a whole. He has greatly contributed to the upliftment of marginalised communities across the country, especially in Telangana. Khan, as a journalist, was always critical of the ‘wrongdoings’ of political parties, vocal about people’s welfare and the development of the nation and the state of Telangana.

One of his close associates Navaid Hamid, former president of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushavirat, recalled that Khan, through Urdu journalism, raised the voice for the victims of hate violence across the country.

“Not only did he become a voice for the victims he also helped them rehabilitate in every possible way. In Hyderabad and across Telangana, he helped arrange marriages for poor people and helped unemployed youths find their careers,” said Navaid Hamid.

Khan also participated in various protests for public causes, social movements and public interactions.

One of the activists, Meera Sanghamitra, associated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), said that she had met Zaheerudin Ali Khan at many protests and meetings for public causes.

“I met him at multiple meetings organised by democratic groups and also at some protests. He was quite vocal about various injustices and never shied away from taking a stand. It is a very important trait of a senior media person to have a fair combination of professional ethics and a dynamic and articulate stand against social injustices. He had that quality in him, something that is badly missing in the Godi Media times,” Meera said.

“His kindness as a human being always amazed me. We need more men like him in public life,” Meera added.

One of his childhood friends, a senior journalist Somasekhar Mulugu, said that Khan was involved in various social works apart from journalism.

“Zaheer was my collegemate and we worked together in various media organisations. The incredible thing about him was that he was always close to society from the grassroots level, helping poor people from marginalised communities,” Somasekhar said.

Khan was running counselling centres for poor students who want to succeed in life but couldn't fulfil their dreams due to financial constraints. “The hand behind first Muslim pilot from Hyderabad, Syeda Salva Fatima, is the Siasat Foundation of which Zaheerudin Ali Khan was a key functionary,” said Somasekhar.

“Though Khan was a part of many social works all his life, not all of them were in the public limelight. He was particularly keen on helping the poor youth achieve their goals. Khan would help them in every possible way, even financially,” he added.

“Terrible news. When a gentleman, understanding editor, a longtime friend from Nizam College days and a true Hyderabadi suddenly passes away. Just 62, bubbling with lot of ideas, many projects, getting more active in public issues, helping the community, he is gone. They were close friends - Zaheer and Gaddar, often meeting and exchanged views. They left the world within 24 hours,” said an obit for Zaheerudin Ali Khan.

In an obituary message on Facebook, Somasekhar wrote, “Difficult to comprehend what life or fate has in store. We had Ramzan Iftar together, met in Aliya School 150 years event, at friends’ farm house for dinner, in his office for discussions, at the Nizam Club with Divakar, a fellow Nizamian from Bengaluru in the Nizam Club and so many times. Zaheeruddin Ali Khan was steering Siasat.com to greater visibility and reach. Had the privilege to not just contribute but also discuss the progress, and new ideas with Mir Ayoob Ali Khan. The main driver behind it. Feel a personal loss in his untimely departure.”

Zaheerudin Ali Khan not only contributed to society but also achieved the great feat of revolutionising Urdu journalism.

“The credit for the digitisation of Urdu journalism goes to Zaheer sahab. He was the first to introduce the digital and online copy (e-paper) of an Urdu newspaper,” said Hyderabad-based senior journalist Syed Sajjadul Hasnain.

“It was the time when multinational companies were not giving advertisements to Urdu newspapers. Khan sahab turned his newspaper Siasat Daily into a full-fledged corporate organisation with all formalities needed for the advertisements, and he succeeded. Then other newspapers also followed the same,” he added.

Khan has been an inspiration to many. A senior journalist Shaji Ullah Firasat recalled his childhood days planning to go abroad for a job when Zaheerudin Ali Khan turned him towards journalism.

“I studied to become a geologist. I was planning to go abroad. I, along with my friend, visited Zaheerudin Ali Khan and I told him that I was planning to move to Dubai for work. He offered me a job for two to three months in Siasat Daily till I complete my formalities for Dubai. Those few months turned into 25 years, and I am still working as a journalist,” said Firasat.

“I am an eyewitness to many of his good deeds. There are several educational institutions in Hyderabad to whom Zaheer sahab has contributed in the initial days. They are now leading institutions,” he added. “I don’t see Zaheer sahab as a working journalist. But he was a first-class administrator and a social worker who has contributed a lot to society. His favours and contributions will always be remembered.”