Arif Mohammad Khan turned his back on a thriving political career when confronted with a difficult choice. At Rajiv Gandhi's behest, in Parliament, he valiantly defended the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case. He took on the Muslim conservative establishment. But Rajiv had a sudden change of heart and decided to oppose the judgment. Arif quit the Congress.
What happened next was less edifying. Arif joined the BJP. The support of the progressive sections of the Muslim community evaporated. A string of political errors cost him dear and India lost one of its most promising minority leaders. Today his isolation is complete.
What happened next was less edifying. Arif joined the BJP. The support of the progressive sections of the Muslim community evaporated. A string of political errors cost him dear and India lost one of its most promising minority leaders. Today his isolation is complete.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
