Hyderabad: Minorities Welfare Dept move puts Abul Kalam Azad institute manuscripts at risk

The Minorities Welfare Department’s move to take possession of the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute has triggered protests from minority groups, who fear centuries-old manuscripts and rare books housed at the library could be damaged or lost without alternative arrangements

Hyderabad: The decision of Minorities Welfare Department to take possession of the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute located in Public Gardens, has drawn the ire of many from the minority community.

The move has put manuscripts and books, many of which form rare collections and date back to several centuries that draw scholars from across the globe, at the risk of being damaged and lost.

A team of Minority Welfare officials on Saturday turned up at the institute abutting the Masjid e Osmania, popularly known as the Bagh e Aam Masjid, and asked the committee to vacate the library.

Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute was established in the year 1958 with an aim to conduct research in history, philosophy, culture and languages; to guide scholars on research, train research scholars for post-graduate studies and arrange seminars, lectures, symposiums, and study circles.

Prof Ashraf Rafi, chairman of the society that manages the institute, said several manuscripts dating back to centuries are in the institute library. “The government wants to take over the institute without arranging any alternative accommodation. Without any prior notice, we were asked to vacate the premises. Where will we carry all historic documents at a short notice?” he asked.

The society had taken two halls that served as ‘niyaz khana’ prior to 1959 on lease and started the institute. “The government seems to be unhappy with Maulana Abul Kalam’s name and wants to close down the institute on pretext of mosque expansion,” said Aziz Ahmed, a member of the society.

A few years ago, one hall was taken over by TS Wakf Board and allocated to the mosque. “In the remaining portion, we are running the library and a small office. Scholars from across the globe, particularly Iran, Saudi Arabia and Europe, come to the library for research work,” explained Aziz Ahmed.

Among the manuscripts are the Quran, Ramayana, Gita and others. A Quran in the Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1919–1980) was gifted to the library by the last Shah of Iran. There are books on Astronomy, Medicine and other subjects, some manuscripts date back to 13th century. “The manuscripts are rare and need to be properly preserved. They cannot be left unattended,” said Dr Fatima Ahmed, a member.

On Saturday, officials visited the library when the office-bearers were holding a meeting and informed them that they had to hand over the property to the government immediately.

After consultation, the society members left the premises for fear of legal action and harassment. “It appears everything is decided, the Minority Welfare Department officials are in no mood to listen to anyone,” complained a member of the society.