Deputy CLP leader in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has expressed deepest condolences on the death of Goolamhussein Essaji Vahanvati, the former Attorney General for India.
In his condolence message, Shabbir Ali said that Vahanvati has successfully defended the case of four per cent reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh in the Supreme Court.
It was due to his efforts that the Supreme Court allowed the continuance of 4% Muslim reservation till the final judgment. This benefitted thousands of poor Muslims in getting free admission in educational institutions and even government jobs. He had successfully contended before the Supreme Court that when two persons, belonging to the different religions, should be given equal opportunties, if they are into the same profession and have similar socio-economic conditions.
The Congress leader also lauded the role played by Vahanvati in the formation of Telangana. Shabbir Ali recalled that despite his busy schedule Vahanvati gave a patient hearing when he, along with K Jana Reddy and Suresh Shetkar, met him in connection with the Telangana Bill. He said it was Vahanvati who advised the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill be first introduce in the Assembly to avoid legal complications in future. Following his advise, the Centre ensured introduction of Telangana Bill in the Assembly wherein more than 85 members participated in the dicsussion. This facilitated in crossing the first major hurdle and then the Bill was successfully introduced and passed in the Parliament.
Shabbir Ali said that Vahanvati was one of the longest serving Attorney General of India. His first three-year term in office began in June 2009 and in 2012 it was extended by two more years. However, he was forced to resign from the post after BJP-led NDA came to power in May 2014. He said BJP did not even spare a senior legal personality like Vahanvati from discrimination.
He described Vahanvati’s demise as a major loss to the entire country, especially the Muslim community. (INN)