{{short description|Indian journalist and politician (born 1951)}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = M. J. Akbar | birth_name = Mobasher Jawed Akbar | image = M. J. Akbar cropped.JPG | caption = Akbar at Halifax International Security Forum in 2014 | office = Minister of State for External Affairs | term_start = 5 July 2016 | term_end = 17 October 2018 | prime_minister = Narendra Modi | office1 = Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha | constituency1 = Madhya Pradesh | term_start1 = June 2016 | term_end1 = 29 June 2022 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|1|11|df=y}} | birth_place = Telenipara, West Bengal, India | occupation = Journalist, politician, writer | party = Indian National Congress (1989–2014)<br />Bharatiya Janata Party (since 2014) }}
'''Mobasher Jawed Akbar''' (born 11 January 1951) is an Indian journalist and politician,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mj-akbar-muslim-women-will-no-longer-live-under-fear-of-talaq-1793308|title=Muslim Women Will No Longer Live Under Fear Of Talaq: MJ Akbar}}</ref> who served as the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs until 17 October 2018. Akbar is a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/m-j-akbar-mounts-spirited-defence-of-triple-talaq-bill/articleshow/62288129.cms|title=M J Akbar mounts spirited defence of triple talaq bill|website=The Times of India|date=29 December 2017 }}</ref> and was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers by PM Narendra Modi on 5 July 2016. He is also a veteran Indian journalist and author of several books. He was a Member of Parliament between 1989 and 1991, and returned to public life in March 2014 when he joined the BJP and was appointed national spokesperson during the 2014 general elections that brought the party back to office with a simple majority under the leadership of Narendra Modi. In July 2015 he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand. During his long career in journalism, he launched, as editor, India's first weekly political news periodicals, including ''India Today'', ''Headlines Today'', ''The Telegraph'', ''The Asian Age'' and ''Deccan Chronicle'', among others.
He has written several non-fiction books, including a biography of Jawaharlal Nehru titled ''Nehru: The Making of India'', a book on Kashmir titled ''Kashmir Behind the Vale'', ''Riot After Riot'' and ''India: The Siege Within.'' He also authored ''The Shade of Swords,'' a history of ''jihad.'' Akbar has also authored fiction, such as ''Blood Brothers-A Family Saga (Fratelli Di Sangue,'' Italian translated version). ''Have Pen, Will Travel: Observations of a Globetrotter'' is a travelogue authored by him. His book 'Byline' consists of write-ups of bylines picked from his writings. His book ''Tinderbox: The past and future of Pakistan'', in January 2012 discusses the themes of identity crisis and class struggles in Pakistan.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}} On 17 October 2018, Akbar resigned due to a number of sexual harassment allegations against him from numerous women who had worked with him over the years.<ref name=htallegation/> Akbar has denied all such accusation and allegations.<ref name="PTI Dec 18 2020"/>
He had filed a case against Priya Ramani for defamation who had accused Akbar of sexual harassment. Akbar had lost the case at the trial courts. As reported by Indian Express, court said, "A woman has the right to put grievances before any platform of her choice even after decades. Reading out the order, the court said that there are social stigma attached with the allegations. Society must understand the impact of sexual abuse and harassment on its victims." The court also mentioned that in case of grievances, a fresh appeal could be filed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Akbar Vs Ramani: Timeline of defamation case|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/metoo-timeline-defamation-case-priya-ramani-mj-akbar-7192604/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> While Akbar didn't comment on the decision, one of his lawyers Niharika Karanjawala remarked that they disagree with the court and will appeal.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Schmall|first1=Emily|last2=Bhagat|first2=Shalini Venugopal|date=2021-02-17|title=Indian Court Clears Journalist of Defamation Claim in #MeToo Case|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/world/asia/india-mj-akbar-metoo.html|access-date=2021-07-19|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Akbar then approached the Delhi High Court and pleaded against the acquittal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MJ Akbar plea against acquittal of Priya Ramani: HC says will call for trial court records|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/may/05/mj-akbar-plea-against-acquittal-of-priya-ramani-hc-says-will-call-for-trial-court-records-2298801.html|access-date=2021-07-18|website=The New Indian Express|date=5 May 2021 }}</ref>
==Career== Akbar joined ''The Times of India'' in 1971 as a trainee. Subsequently, he moved to ''The Illustrated Weekly of India, '' then India's largest-selling magazine, working as a sub-editor as well as distinguishing himself as a feature writer capable of contributing a prolific number of stories. He would remain with the weekly until 1973 when he was named editor of the news fortnightly, ''Onlooker,'' owned by ''The Free Press Journal Group'' in Mumbai. In 1976, he moved to Calcutta to join the Ananda Bazar Patrika (ABP) Group as editor of ''Sunday'', a political weekly.<ref name=ht>{{cite news|title=70's: The decade of innocence |last=Bhandare |first=Namita |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/70-s-The-decade-of-innocence/Article1-700294.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=2 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526150611/http://www.hindustantimes.com/70-s-The-decade-of-innocence/Article1-700294.aspx |archive-date=26 May 2011 }}</ref> Within just three years of its launch, the investigative reporting pioneered by the magazine established its national circulation and number one position. The magazine took an uncompromising stand against the Emergency and fought press censorship and dictatorship. ''Sunday'' not only established major trends in journalism but also spawned a new generation of journalists in the country.
In 1982, after the success of ''The Sunday'', Akbar launched what is considered by some to be India's first modern newspaper. He conceived, designed and edited the daily newspaper, ''The Telegraph''.
In 1989, he took a brief detour into politics with his election to the Indian Parliament in November 1989 from Kishanganj in Bihar on a Congress(I) ticket.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/dial-a-divorce-against-spirit-of-islam-m-j-akbar/articleshow/55423214.cms|title=Dial-a-divorce against spirit of Islam: M J Akbar|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=15 November 2016|last1=Venugopal|first1=Vasudha}}</ref> He lost the seat in the 1991 Lok Sabha elections.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1989/Vol_I_LS_89.pdf |title=KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1989 TO THE NINTH LOK SABHA - Vol I LS 89 |access-date=2016-01-12 |date=1989 |publisher=ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA, NEW DELHI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930081629/http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/LS_1989/Vol_I_LS_89.pdf |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/elec91/states/S04/const23.htm | title = Election 1991 results for Kishanganj | access-date = 2016-01-12 | date = 1991| publisher = ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA, NEW DELHI | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930022222/http://archive.eci.gov.in/elec91/states/S04/const23.htm | archive-date = 2007-09-30 }}</ref> He served as late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's official spokesman.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8164901.cms|title=Another shade of Akbar|work=The Times of India|date=11 May 2002 }}</ref>
In 1991, Akbar joined the Government as an adviser in the Ministry of Human Resources, and helped policy planning in key areas of education, the National Literacy Mission and in the protection of heritage. He resigned from the post and left politics in December 1992, returning to journalism and full-time writing. In 1993, Akbar started a new media company with the aim of ''creating India's first newspaper that would not only include an international focus within its editorial range, but also be the first Indian daily with an international edition.'' This newspaper appeared in February 1994. The ''Asian Age'' was launched with initial editions in Delhi, Bombay, and London, and by 2008 had grown, in collaboration with the ''Deccan Chronicle'', to eight editions, into a major media presence nationally and internationally. In 2004, the group began publishing ''The International Herald Tribune'' in India, and became a publishing partner of ''The New York Times''.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.mjakbar.org/biography/|title=Biography|work=MJAKBAR |date=2015-12-18|publisher=M J Akbar|access-date=2016-01-12}}</ref> Akbar was also the editor-in-chief of ''The Deccan Chronicle,'' a Hyderabad-based news daily.
In 2005, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia appointed him as a member of the committee to draft a ten-year charter for Muslim nations on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.<ref name=storylogy-profile>{{cite news|title=Profile of M J AKbar |url=http://www.storyology.org.au/speakers/m-j-akbar |access-date=25 April 2014 |newspaper=Storylogy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520125525/http://www.storyology.org.au/speakers/m-j-akbar |archive-date=20 May 2014 }}</ref>
In March 2006, Akbar joined the Brookings Institution, Washington, as a visiting fellow in the Brookings Project on U.S. Policy Towards the Islamic World. During the late 1990s, he diluted his stake in the Asian Age, eventually selling off a major part of it to the owners of the Deccan Chronicle Group.
In March 2008, Akbar was removed from ''The Asian Age'' and ''Deccan Chronicle'' due to differences with the owners over editorial policy, as some newspapers have reported it.
Akbar launched the fortnightly political magazine ''Covert'' on 13 May 2008 in Delhi with the first issue on stands on 14 May. Simultaneously, the ''Covert'' website<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.covert.co.in/ | title = [COVERT] Fortnightly Magazine | access-date = 2016-01-12 | date =2009-05-17 | publisher = M. J. Akbar | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090517075239/http://www.covert.co.in/ | archive-date = 2009-05-17 }}</ref> was launched two days later though it was ultimately discontinued.
Akbar launched a new Sunday newspaper from 31 January 2010, ''The Sunday Guardian'', published from New Delhi and Chandigarh besides an edition called ''India on Sunday'' from London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/|title=Latest News and In-depth Analysis, Opinion from India & world - SundayGuardianLive|work=Sunday Guardian}}</ref> He remained the Editor-in-Chief and then Editorial Director there until May 2014, when he resigned to join politics full-time.
In the meanwhile, in September 2010, he joined the Living Media as Editorial Director of the leading weekly English news magazine India Today and the English news channel Headlines Today. He left in October 2012.
== #MeToo controversy== The controversy began when the journalist Priya Ramani writing an article at Vogue about sexual harassment in context of the 'Me Too' Movement in India. She had written a general article on attitude of male bosses and recalled her own experience and decided to include it. At first, no name was given. However, a year later, Ramani decided to name MJ Akbar as the person she was referring to through Twitter. Other female colleagues before and after the tweet had also accused Akbar of sexual harassment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=2021-02-17|title=MJ Akbar: India ex-minister loses #MeToo defamation case to Priya Ramani|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56006498|access-date=2021-07-19}}</ref> He was accused of sexual harassment also by UK-based journalist Ruth David, CNN scribe Majlie de Puy Kamp, Saba Naqvi,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Chaudhury|first1=Dipanjan Roy|last2=Venugopal|first2=Vasudha|date=2018-10-11|title=MJ Akbar faces #MeToo heat, asked to 'cut short' Nigeria visit, may be back today|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mj-akbar-faces-metoo-heat-asked-to-cut-short-nigeria-visit-may-be-back-today/articleshow/66157559.cms|access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref> journalist and author Ghazala Wahab,<ref>{{Cite web|title=M.J. Akbar, Minister and Former Editor, Sexually Harassed and Molested Me|url=https://thewire.in/media/mj-akbar-sexual-harassment|access-date=2018-12-30|website=The Wire}}</ref> journalist Sutapa Paul, and journalist Suparna Sharma, amongst others.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-10-10|title=#MeToo campaign: Six women speak up, accuse Minister M J Akbar of sexual harassment when he was Editor|language=en-US|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/metoo-movement-six-women-speak-up-accuse-minister-mj-akbar-of-sexual-harassment-when-he-was-editor-5394625/|access-date=2018-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Congress' Jaipal Reddy says MJ Akbar must resign if he can't explain sexual harassment charges|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/mj-akbar-must-resign-if-former-journalist-cant-explain-sexual-harassment-charges-says-congress-jaipal-reddy-5352051.html|access-date=2018-12-30|website=Firstpost|date=10 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-11|title=#MeToo: Sexual harassment charges against MJ Akbar put Modi government in a spot, final call likely soon|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/metoo-sexual-harrassment-charges-against-mj-akbar-put-modi-government-in-a-spot-final-call-likely-soon/1345170/|access-date=2018-12-30|website=The Financial Express}}</ref>
On 14 October 2018, he made an official statement saying that he found the allegations against him as "wild and baseless" and that he planned to take legal recourse against the women who accused him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/world/asia/india-mj-akbar-me-too.html|title=Indian Minister at Center of #MeToo Case Calls Abuse Accusations 'Wild and Baseless'|agency=Reuters|date=2018-10-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-12-30|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Akbar filed a criminal defamation case against Priya Ramani on 15 October 2018 with representation by Geeta Luthra.<ref name="Abi-Habib">{{cite news |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Goel |first2=Vindu |title=A Top Indian Minister Resigns, but Can #MeToo Reform Government? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/17/world/asia/india-mj-akbar-resigns-metoo.html |access-date=20 December 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Saran |first1=Mekhala |title=Akbar-Ramani Case: How a Journalist Was Tried for Saying #MeToo |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/law/mj-akbar-priya-ramani-case-background-explained-verdict-10-february |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=The Quint |date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> BBC reported Akbar's response, "In court, he denied the incident alleged by Ms Ramani - he said he had not asked her to meet him at his hotel, or that she called him from the hotel reception, or that he called her to his room."<ref name=":1" /> Regarding the accusations of other women, Akbar used Twitter to remark that such accusations were politically motivated.<ref name=":1" />
However, the accusations are by a multitude of women, across time and locations.<ref name="PTI Dec 18 2020">{{cite news |last1=Press Trust of India |title=MeToo: M J Akbar did not approach court with clean hands, says Priya Ramani |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/dec/18/metoo-m-j-akbar-did-not-approach-court-with-clean-hands-says-priya-ramani-2238051.html |access-date=20 December 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |date=December 18, 2020}}</ref> As of 17 October, the count of accusations stood at 20: all of the women signed a petition to the court where Akbar's defamation case is to be heard, asking that they too, be heard.<ref>{{cite news |title=20 Women Journalists Back Priya Ramani, Ready To Testify Against MJ Akbar |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/priya-ramani-not-alone-20-journalists-to-testify-against-mj-akbar-over-metoo-charges-1933272 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> Following this, Akbar resigned from his post on 17 October 2018.<ref name="htallegation">{{cite news |title=MJ Akbar Resigns Over #Metoo Allegations |url=https://headlinestoday.org/national/3793/mj-akbar-resigns-over-metoo-allegations/ |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=headlinestoday.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=central-minister-mj-akbar-resigns-over-sexual-harassment-charges |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/central-minister-mj-akbar-resigns-over-sexual-harassment-charges-90121 |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=thenewsminute.com}}</ref>
In an op-ed in Washington Post on 2 November 2018,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Gogoi|first=Pallavi|date=1 November 2018|title=As a young journalist in India, I was raped by M.J. Akbar. Here is my story.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/11/01/as-a-young-journalist-in-india-i-was-raped-by-m-j-akbar-here-is-my-story/|access-date=2 November 2018|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Pallavi Gogoi, the chief business editor for NPR in the United States, wrote of her rape by Akbar 23 years ago in a hotel room in Jaipur. Gogoi was the editor of the op-ed page of the Asian Age at that time. In response, Akbar has admitted to a past relationship with Gogoi, and said it was consensual.<ref>{{Cite news|title=#MeToo: Wife defends MJ Akbar; former minister says 'Pallavi Gogoi was in a consensual relationship' - Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/metoo-wife-defends-mj-akbar-says-pallavi-gogoi-was-in-a-consensualrelationship/articleshow/66474939.cms|access-date=2018-11-02}}</ref>
On 17 February 2021, he lost defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani who accused him of sexual harassment.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite news |last1=All India |title="Ray Of Hope": Bollywood Celebrates Priya Ramani's Acquittal In Defamation Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ray-of-hope-bollywood-celebrates-priya-ramanis-acquittal-in-defamation-case-2372720 |access-date=17 February 2021 |work=NDTV |agency=Press Trust of India |date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> The Delhi court said, "a woman has right to voice her grievance even after several years" on the judgement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Priya Ramani acquitted in MJ Akbar defamation case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mj-akbar-vs-priya-ramani-metoo-case-priya-ramani-acquitted-101613553546507.html|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> MJ Akbar subsequently appealed to Delhi High Court. On 11 August 2021 the Delhi High Court issued a notice to journalist Priya Ramani based on the plea filed by MJ Akbar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1002605/trial-court-erroneously-acquitted-priya-ramani-in-defamation-case-mj-akbars-counsel-tells-delhi-hc|title = Trial court erroneously acquitted Priya Ramani in defamation case, MJ Akbar's counsel tells Delhi HC| date=11 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/delhi-hc-admits-mj-akbars-appeal-against-acquittal-of-priya-ramani-in-defamation-case/articleshow/88874212.cms|title = Delhi HC admits MJ Akbar's appeal against acquittal of Priya Ramani in defamation case | India News - Times of India|website = The Times of India| date=13 January 2022 }}</ref>
==Politics== Akbar was a Congress MP from Kishanganj in Bihar between 1989 and 1991, he was also a Congress party spokesperson in 1989.<ref name=fe0716>{{citation |title=Portfolio of Modi government ministers: MJ Akbar appointed MoS External Affairs |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/india-news/modi-cabinet-reshuffle-2016-mj-akbar-takes-oath-as-mos/307107 |work=The Financial Express |date=5 July 2016 }}</ref>
Akbar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2014 as the national spokesperson of the party.<ref name=fe0716/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mj-akbar-joins-bjp-sources/article1-1198729.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140322082858/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mj-akbar-joins-bjp-sources/article1-1198729.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2014 |title=Journalist MJ Akbar joins BJP and praises Modi |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2014-03-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-appoints-mj-akbar-as-national-spokesperson/articleshow/32678536.cms |title=BJP appoints MJ Akbar as national spokesperson - The Economic Times on Mobile |newspaper=The Economic Times |publisher=M.economictimes.com |date=2014-03-25 }}</ref>
He was elected to Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand in July 2015.<ref name=fe0716/><ref name="ndtv.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mj-akbar-wins-rajya-sabha-by-poll-from-jharkhand-777647|title=MJ Akbar Wins Rajya Sabha By-Poll from Jharkhand|date=2 July 2015|work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/rajya-sabha-madhya-pradesh-m-j-akbar-anil-dave-bjp-congress-tankha-2848045|title=Madhya Pradesh: M J Akbar, Anil Dave enter RS, Congress nominee Tankha wins too|date=12 June 2016}}</ref>
He took oath as Minister of State for External Affairs in Rashtrapati Bhavan on 5 July 2016.<ref name=fe0716/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.ndtv.com/people/mj-akbar-from-congress-mp-to-pm-modis-minister-1428124|title=MJ Akbar - From Congress MP To PM Modi's Minister}}</ref> He resigned from his post on 17 October 2018, after a growing number of sexual allegations were made against him.<ref name=htallegation/>
==Personal life== Akbar is married to Mallika Joseph, his contemporary at The Times of India. They have two children, Prayaag an alumnus of Dartmouth College<ref>{{cite web|title=Alumni 2000|url=http://www.vasantvalley.org/vasantvalley/transitions/alumni/2000/prayaagakbar.htm}}</ref> and Mukulika a Law graduate from Jesus College, Cambridge.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sen|first1=Rehana|title=Green is the valley|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/yw/2003/09/06/stories/2003090600670300.htm|work=The Hindu}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjakbar.org/mjpics.htm |title= BIOGRAPHY:M J Akbar Bylines, Books, War, RSS Syndication, Book Reviews, Letters, Lots More!|website=www.mjakbar.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206011849/http://www.mjakbar.org/mjpics.htm |archive-date=6 December 2013}}</ref>
==Books== *''Nehru : the Making of India'' (1990)<ref name=fe0716 /> *''Riot After Riot'' (1991) *''Kashmir: Behind the Vale'' (1991) *''India: The Siege within - Challenges to a Nation's Unity'' (1996) *''The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the Conflict between Islam and Christianity'' (2003) *''Byline'' (2004) *''Blood Brothers - A Family Saga'' (2006) *''Have Pen, Will Travel'' (2010) *''Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan'' (2012) * ''A Mirror to Power: The Politics of a Fractured Decade'', HarperCollins India, 2015. * ''After Me, Chaos: Astrology in the Mughal Empire'', HarperCollins India, 2015.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}}
{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akbar, M. J.}} Category:1951 births Category:Bengali Muslims Category:Presidency University, Kolkata alumni Category:Indian male bloggers Category:People from Hooghly district Category:Journalists from Bihar Category:20th-century Indian Muslims Category:21st-century Indian Muslims Category:India MPs 1989–1991 Category:Indian newspaper editors Category:Living people Category:University of Calcutta alumni Category:Indian columnists Category:Indian magazine editors Category:Rajya Sabha members from Jharkhand Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from West Bengal Category:Narendra Modi ministry Category:The Times of India journalists Category:20th-century Indian journalists Category:Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh Category:Lok Sabha members from Bihar Category:Rajya Sabha members from the Bharatiya Janata Party Category:Indian National Congress politicians from West Bengal Category:21st-century Indian politicians Category:21st-century Indian male writers Category:21st-century Indian non-fiction writers Category:20th-century Indian male journalists