YSRCP pays tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Tadepalli, Feb 22: Leaders of the YSRCP paid rich tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his death anniversary at the party’s central office in Tadepalli, remembering him as a visionary educationist and one of the chief architects of modern India’s education system. Floral tributes were offered to his portrait as leaders recalled his pivotal role as the country’s first Education Minister in laying a strong foundation for higher education through the establishment of premier institutions, including IITs and universities. They noted that his birth anniversary is observed as National Education Day in recognition of his immense contribution to the field of education.

Leaders highlighted that through publications such as Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh, Maulana Azad strengthened the freedom movement in Urdu and firmly advocated Hindu-Muslim unity. They recalled that Mahatma Gandhi referred to him as the “Plato of India,” while Jawaharlal Nehru described him as “Maulana” and “Mir-e-Karavan,” acknowledging his intellectual and moral leadership. Institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University were cited as enduring legacies of his efforts in strengthening educational infrastructure.

YSRCP leaders stated that inspired by Maulana Azad’s vision, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy introduced several transformative reforms in the education sector in Andhra Pradesh. They also recalled that the governance of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and YS Jagan brought significant changes in the lives of minorities in the state. The 4 percent reservation for Muslims introduced during YSR’s tenure enabled access to medical education, and the establishment of 17 government medical colleges under YS Jagan further expanded opportunities for aspiring Muslim students to pursue careers in medicine. Leaders expressed hope that YS Jagan would once again return as Chief Minister to continue such progressive initiatives. Party leaders Kommoori Kanakarao, Naga Narayana Murthy, A. Ravichandra and others participated in the programme.