Congress MP Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi dies
PURNIA: Congress MP and Islamic scholar Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi died of a heart attack at his Tarabari Tappu village home in Kishanganj district on Friday morning, family members said.
He was 76 and is survived by three sons and two daughters. His wife Salma Khatun died a few years ago.
Qasmi was known for generosity and was quite accessible. A noted Islamic scholar, Qasmi used to write for almost many Urdu newspapers and magazines published in India. He was a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and founder member of All India Milli Council.
Born on February 15 in 1942, Qasmi had won the Kishanganj Lok Sabha seat for the first time in 2009 and went on to retain the it five years later on Congress ticket.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders including its President Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the demise of Qasmi.
“Saddened to hear about the demise of Congress party’s MP from Kishanganj Maulana Asrarul Haq,” Gandhi said on Twitter.
Other Congress leaders joined Gandhi in mourning the death of the leader.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the country had lost a learned leader. Qasmi always espoused and fought to preserve secular values, he added.
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Mohammad Asrarul Haque, a senior Congressman and a popular leader from Kishanganj, Bihar, from where he was elected as Lok Sabha member twice. He was instrumental in setting up Aligarh Muslim University in his constituency,” said
leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewal also expressed his condolences on the passing away of Qasmi.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and followers and to the people of Kishanganj and beyond,” he said.
In his condolence message, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said “Qasmi was known for probity in politics and his simplicity of heart. He was deeply interested in social work and enjoyed immense popularity in his constituency.
“He had also played an important role in establishment of an extension campus of Aligarh Muslim University extension campus in Kishanganj.” The chief minister announced that Qasmi’s last rites would be performed with full state honours.
State general secretary of Janata Dal (United) minority cell Wasim Kamali said: “We have lost our guardian and teacher. Maulana sahab never gave up his struggle for education to the poor in Seemanchal.”