Mukhtar Ansari:
The infamous criminal and mafia don of Purvanchal, Mukhtar Ansari, passed away in Banda Jail on Thursday. Despite being embroiled in numerous lawsuits, the legacy of his family remains notable. In a statement to the Supreme Court, Ansari conveyed his pride in belonging to a family integral to India's independence movement. They have provided the country with a Vice-President in the form of Mohammad Hamid Ansari, a Governor of Odisha in Shaukat Ullah Ansari, and a High Court Judge in Justice Asif Ansari. This revered family continues to hold respect not only in the district of Ghazipur but across many districts of Purvanchal.
Where did Mukhtar Ansari study?
Mukhtar Ansari was born on June 3, 1963, in Mohammadabad, Ghazipur, UP. The youngest among his brothers, Mukhtar attended Rajkiya Inter College and Postgraduate College for his education. In 1984, he completed his Bachelor of Arts and subsequently earned a postgraduate degree. His foray into student politics began at the Banaras Hindu University, and in 1996, he entered the political realm as a BSP candidate from Mau, winning the election to become an MLA.
A Brother's Educational Pursuits
Mukhtar's elder brother, Afzal Ansari, is also well-educated, having completed his postgraduate studies from PG College, Ghazipur, in 1976. He has served as an MLA for five terms and has been elected as a Member of Parliament twice—first with the Bahujan Samaj Party and later with the Samajwadi Party, followed by another term with the BSP.
A Grandfather's Freedom Fighting Legacy
Mukhtar Ansari's grandfather, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, played a pivotal role in India's struggle for freedom. Serving as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1926-27 and close to Mahatma Gandhi, he was deeply involved in the independence movement. The district hospital in Ghazipur is named in his honor, and he was one of the founding members of the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia University, also serving as its Chancellor from 1928 to 1936. His academic credentials include an MBBS from Madras and higher degrees of MS and MD from the UK. A well-known road in Delhi (Ansari Road) bears his name, commemorating his contribution.
War Hero Grandfather
Often unknown, Mukhtar Ansari's maternal grandfather, Brigadier Mohammad Usman Ansari, who was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, was a hero of the 1947 Naushera battle. He fought valiantly for the Indian Army and posthumously received India's gallantry award.
An Uncle Who Became Vice-President
Continuing the family's legacy, Mukhtar Ansari's father, Subhanullah Ansari, upheld their reputation. A communist leader, he was elected unopposed in the 1971 municipal elections due to his clean image. Moreover, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who was also in the foreign service and a VC at Aligarh Muslim University, is Ansari's paternal uncle. Known journalist Javed Ansari is also part of this illustrious family tree.
Sons as International Athletes
While boasting a legacy of distinction on one side, Mukhtar Ansari's next generation is making the nation proud in sports. His son Abbas Ansari is an international level shotgun shooter, who has won multiple medals at the national and international level, illuminating the country’s name in the global sports arena.
