21 January 2024
To highlight the sacrifice of first martyred Urdu Journalist, Maulvi Muhammad Baqar, the Press Club of India (PCI) unveiled his portrait at its headquarters here Saturday.
Maulvi Muhammad Baqar (1780-1857), who was the first to do spot journalism in India, was martyred by the British in the First War of Independence for dissenting and writing against the establishment. Editor of Dehli Urdu Akhbar, he courageously carried forward the freedom movement through his newspaper.
Speaking as Chief Guest, K.C. Tyagi, senior JD(U) leader recalled the courageous role of Maulvi Baqar and said, “To make people a part of the movement, to fight with the government or dissent began first with the pen of Maulvi Muhammad Baqar. He described his journalism as a necessity in today’s India. Such people are born in centuries.”
Gautam Lahiri, president of PCI, said, “We are honoring our predecessor who has shown how to do journalism even at the cost of his life.” He asked all journalists to come together and try to build PCI an institution to become a lighthouse for the media fraternity.”
“We are happy that today we are remembering Maulvi Muhammad Baqar, a great hero of freedom, the Press Club has given a lot of space to Urdu journalism in the past years and has always encouraged Urdu journalists,” he added.
Senior journalist AU Asif introduced the event and highlighted its importance and usefulness, recalling the sacrifices of Maulvi Muhammad Baqar. He said the work done by Maulana Baqar to free the Indians from the tyranny of the British government has been recorded in golden letters in history. Putting his portrait in the hall of PCI is an important achievement so that the story of the sacrifice of this hero of freedom remains fresh in the minds of the new generation of journalists.
Renowned historian Rana Safavi said he was a living example of Hindu-Muslim unity, sacrificed his life to thwart the conspiracy of divide and rule of the British.
Congress leader Hidayatullah said, “How to face difficulties can be learned from the martyrdom of Maulvi Muhammad Baqar. Today again we can see the same darkness spreading in the country. We have to fight it together.”
Azra Mosavi and Tarana Hussain of Maulvi Muhammad Baqar’s family also thanked the PCI and shared their views on Maulvi Muhammad Baqar.
Senior journalist Sohail Anjum and Editor of Daily Hamara Samaj Shoaib Raza also spoke on the occasion. Ashraf Ali Bastawi, member of PCI Managing Committee, delivered vote of thanks.
