Nawab Najaf Ali Khan on Telangana

Telangana may soon be declared the 29^th state of India. While the process itself took a while to take shape, political leaders in AP couldn’t avoid controversies. Some did a foot-in-mouth, while some others made direct comments that sparked a row. The recently concluded AP Assembly session saw several political leaders raise their voice against the Nizam rulers which did not go down well with the Nizam Family. The family also issued a press note to condemn the remarks made against the Nizams saying they had no right to criticize their forefathers.

Reshmi AR speaks to Nawab Najaf Ali Khan on the controversy, his take on Telangana and about the contribution of Nizam rulers to Hyderabad.

What made you send the press note condemning AP political leaders?

Disparaging remarks made by the Political leaders of Andhra Pradesh on my Grand Father who was one of the greatest rulers of Deccan and his rule.

Can you name the leaders and the remarks they made against the Nizam family?

“Praising Nizam nothing but insulting Telegana people”, said by M.Narasimhulu TDP.

“All the praise heaped on Nizam should be deleted from the records”, said by Y.Lakshminarayana BJP.

Especially S.Sailajanath Minster for Legislative Affairs stating that “anybody who takes the name of Nizam could not be tolerated”.

Can you elaborate on the Nizam rulers' contribution to the development of Hyderabad?

Many of the monumental achievement for his people which still exist are Osmania and Niloufer Hospitals, Nizam State Railways, Roads ,Bus Service, Aviation, Telephones, Deccan Radio, Electricity, Postal ,Water Supply ,Drainage ,Industries, Medical and Public Health, Medical College, Unani Hospital, Investigation in Chloroform ,Cause of Malaria, Industrialization, Industrial Trust Fund, Scientific and Industrial Research Board ,Industrial Area ,Industrial Schools ,Industrial Research Laboratory, Textile Industry, Cotton Industry ,Hyderabad Construction Company, Hyderabad Civil Service ,Agriculture and Irrigation Facilities, Nizamsagar Dam ,Nizam Sugar Factory, Schools, Asafia Library , Nizamia Observatory, State Archives, Engineers and Architects, Osmania University ,Women’s College, State Bank of Hyderabad which is treasury for Andhra Pradesh, Administrative Reforms ,Legislative Council, Law and Justice. Nizam Orthopedic Hospital, Nizam Charitable Trust.

Are you in favor of AP bifurcation?

We are with the people who faced injustice.

What will be the consequences of dividing the state?

We feel that all this is happening for the sake of electoral gain of political parties.

Your take on the current political scene in Andhra Pradesh

The current political scene in Andhra Pradesh should be decided once for all because the normal daily life is getting affected.

Monarchy Vs Democracy. Your comments.

No comments

People in AP believe that the city developed the most during TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu's regime, how do you compare that to the developments in Nizam's regime?

Hyderabad had already been developed by the Nizams who brought latest Technologies available in all fields of that time in the World. If IT was there at the time of Nizam era he would have introduced that too.

Who do you think can bring about positive changes in the political scene? Name the political party and leader.

There should be consolidated and sincere efforts from all political parties for a positive change.

In a way that you have narrated about the circumstances under which the Orthopedic Hospital was established in Hyderabad, can you please provide us more historic references of such instances

Nizam Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan was a benevolent and a secular ruler who patronized education, science and development. He was given the title of Sultan-ul-uloom (meaning King of Knowledge)by his subjects. During his rule there was hardly any scholar in India who was not benefitted by the generosity of the Nizam. On the request of Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman Mir Osman Ali Khan donated Rs 1 lakh for Indian Institute of Sciences. Similarly on the request of Madan Mohan Malaviya, he sanctioned a grant of Rs. 10 lakh for Banaras Hindu University. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan too requested fund for Aligarh Muslim University for which he granted Rs. 5 lakh. When sir Syed Ahmed Khan asked the reason behind this discrimination (granting Rs. 10 lakh for Hindu University and Rs. 5 lakh for Muslim University), he clarified that Hindu population is much more than Muslim population.

In your press note you have duly acknowledged MIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi and not the TRS leaders including KCR who have been equally praising the development of city that took place during Nizam's regime. Why it is so?

Pls read my press note dated 24.1.2014 page 3 and para 3 “On behalf of Nizam Family Welfare Associations I thank the leaders of Political Parties and especially Akbaruddin Owaisi who being well versed with the history of Nizam rule has condemned the allegations”.

Do you think what was intended by Nizam through Mulki Rules will be realized in Telangana, post bifurcation?

No idea.

Do you have any idea of Bona Vacantia lands of Nizam and his allies? Will there be any efforts from your side to claim such lands?

No idea about Bona Vacantia lands. But regarding Nizam properties it was called BLUE BOOK still most of the properties exist in name of Nizam.

Who do you think is responsible for the missing Red Book?

No idea.

Do you think encroachment of Bona Vacantia lands by the elite Seemandhra people has been one of the strongest reasons for their opposition for Separate Telangana?

No idea.

Have you taken up any measures to safeguard historic monuments like Charminar and Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad?

Above said historic monuments are with Governments of Andhra Pradesh with different Departments.