Researcher alleges plagiarism

​Hyderabad: The photo exhibition of ‘Indian Muslim Freedom Fighters’, which was launched by renowned personalities in Hyderabad on August 6 and later in New Delhi on August 24, ran into troubled waters after the original researcher and historian complained of “theft of intellectual property” and copy right violations. The historian cautioned that action would be initiated against the individuals for indulging in “plagiarism” of his works.

Cashing in on the sentiment of the occasion of 70th Independence Day celebrations, a photo exhibition was organised by two brothers, MA Irfan, Chairman of GHYA (Greater Hyderabad Youth Association) and MA Imran, the presenter. Both had claimed that these works were based on exhaustive research by the latter, who is a qualified engineer, but not a historian.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, in the presence of Editor of Siasat, Zahid Ali Khan, at Salar Jung Museum. Incidentally, it was attended by some of the “freedom fighters” also.

The exhibition was held from August 6 to 20. However, the exhibition travelled to New Delhi later and was inaugurated with much fanfare at the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) on August 24. Interestingly, it was launched by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, in the presence of AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and other top Congress leaders.

The original researcher, Syed Naseer Ahmed, a native of Nellore, said that Irfan and Imran had earlier approached him for exhibiting the photos of freedom fighters in the form of portraits, but their actual intention was to get fame for themselves.

“I rejected their proposal as it is the property of the nation. Even in my books, I had referred to the sources and gave credit to people who had helped me in research. Now I understand that they wanted political elevation, hence resorted to ‘plagiarism’ of my works,” he said.