A special report highlighting Human Rights Day and the lifelong struggle of Qaide-Urdu Shamim Ahmed for justice, Urdu language rights, education, and social welfare in India.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata, 10 December, 2025
Human Rights is not just a principle—it is the foundation of any humane society. On 10 December, as the world marks International Human Rights Day, it also happens to be the birth anniversary of Qaide-Urdu Mr. Shamim Ahmed. This date reminds us how significant his twenty-five-year-long fight for social justice, equality, and peace truly is.
Human Rights, Leadership and Vision: From Justice to Peace
Shamim Ahmed, the National President and International Convenor of the Human Rights Protection Association (HRPA), is not only a Human Rights activist but represents an entire social movement. He firmly believes that lasting peace is possible only when economic injustice is removed and every individual is granted equal rights. His work stands as proof that justice is the real foundation of peace.
The Urdu Movement and Educational Awareness
Strengthening Cultural Identity
Shamim Ahmed’s identity is not limited to welfare work; he is a key figure in the Urdu movement, which is why he is known as “Qaide-Urdu.” At a time when Urdu was being pushed to the margins in Bengal after independence, he raised his voice with conviction.
Former MP Mohammad Adeeb also acknowledged his contribution, calling his decision to come from Bihar and lead the movement to secure Urdu as the second official language in Bengal a remarkable achievement.
His mission was not just to protect a language, but to secure cultural identity and educational rights. He sees language as the backbone of a community’s civilization and development. His journey and sacrifices have been documented by writer Noorullah Javed in the book “Sangtarash”, which serves as both a biography and a historical record of the struggle for linguistic and human rights.
Welfare Initiatives: A Practical Fight Against Hunger and Illness
Qaide-Urdu’s philosophy is simple—every human’s first right is the right to live and stay healthy. This belief inspired two major HRPA initiatives: “Food for All” This campaign provided meals to people battling hunger in urban and rural regions. Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar also praised the initiative for addressing a need that still affects millions.
“Medicine Bank” Shamim Ahmed saw how lack of treatment and medicine pushes poor people toward death, while unused medicines in homes and companies go to waste. His idea of a “Medicine Bank” created a system to collect those unused medicines and distribute them free of cost to the needy.
Famous artist and Bengali intellectual Shobha Prasanna even called him “the pride of Bengal” for this humane initiative.
Constitutional Rights and Questions About National Priorities
Millions of migrant workers who travel from one state to another cannot access government welfare schemes due to lack of proper documents. Shamim Ahmed has continuously worked for their rights. On Human Rights Day, he expressed deep concern that even those who swear to protect the Constitution are sometimes found violating it. He called the brutal killing of a Bengali worker in Rajasthan a stain on the nation’s conscience and questioned the forces that promote hate.He also challenged the priorities of the nation: when half the population struggles with poverty, hunger, lack of healthcare, and education—why does the national conversation revolve around temple–mosque politics instead of basic human needs?
Hope for a Brighter Future
Qaide-Urdu Shamim Ahmed believes that dividing people on the basis of religion or identity weakens the nation. His faith rests on democracy and secular values. He envisions an India where every citizen enjoys social, economic, and political justice.
According to him, such an equitable and healthy society is the only true guarantee of global peace.
Qalam Times salutes his long and inspiring service and hopes that his journey in welfare, education, and political reform continues to flourish.
