Jalna, Maharashtra mourns the demise of Shabbir Ahmad Ansari, a 79-year-old stalwart of the OBC Muslim community who succumbed to a long battle with illness. His passing triggers widespread sorrow in OBC circles throughout India.
Living in Jalna’s Nutan Vasahat by the railway gate, Ansari leaves behind his wife, three sons, and six daughters. Tonight’s funeral rites include Isha prayers, a procession from home at 9 PM, Janaza at Syed Ahmad Sher Suwar Dargah, and interment nearby.
For more than 40 years, Ansari was the backbone of OBC advocacy, heading the All India Muslim OBC Organization. He orchestrated nationwide mobilization, securing over 50 policy wins that advanced OBC access to jobs, education, and politics—transformative gains for millions.
What set Ansari apart was his knack for connecting with ordinary people, breaking down intricate issues into everyday language. This earned him universal admiration. A true ground-level activist, he championed the voiceless, played a key part in Mandal Commission rollout, and fought for Muslim OBC inclusion.
He forged alliances with top OBC figures, attended crucial national forums, and addressed OBC rights alongside Dilip Kumar. His recent fiery address at the Mandal Day event in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar called on the youth to sustain the equity struggle.
Tributes pour in from across Maharashtra, with many hailing his death as a monumental setback for social equity. Ansari’s life work in fostering OBC solidarity endures as a beacon.