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| name = Najma Heptulla | | name = Najma Heptulla | ||
| image = Najma A. Heptulla presenting the Badalte Qadam Award to the Cinematographer, Doordarshan, Ms. Jayshree Puri, at the Best Achievers Award Ceremony, organised by the Child Care & Welfare Foundation, in New Delhi (cropped).jpg | | image = Najma A. Heptulla presenting the Badalte Qadam Award to the Cinematographer, Doordarshan, Ms. Jayshree Puri, at the Best Achievers Award Ceremony, organised by the Child Care & Welfare Foundation, in New Delhi (cropped).jpg | ||
| office = 16th [[List of governors of Manipur|Governor of Manipur]] | | office = 16th [[List of governors of Manipur|Governor of Manipur]] | ||
| term_start = 24 July 2019 | | term_start = 24 July 2019 | ||
| term_end = 10 August 2021 | | term_end = 10 August 2021 | ||
| predecessor = [[Padmanabha Acharya]] | | predecessor = [[Padmanabha Acharya]] ''(Addl. Charge)'' | ||
| successor = [[Ganga Prasad]] (Addl. Charge) | | successor = [[Ganga Prasad]] ''(Addl. Charge)'' | ||
| 1blankname = Chief Minister | | 1blankname = Chief Minister | ||
| 1namedata = [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]] | | 1namedata = [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]] | ||
| term_start1 = 26 June 2018 | |||
| term_start1 = | |||
| term_end1 = 26 June 2019 | | term_end1 = 26 June 2019 | ||
| predecessor1 = [[ | | predecessor1 = [[Jagdish Mukhi]] ''(Addl. Charge)'' | ||
| successor1 = [[Padmanabha Acharya]] | | successor1 = [[Padmanabha Acharya]] ''(Addl. Charge)'' | ||
| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister | | 1blankname1 = Chief Minister | ||
| 1namedata1 = [[Okram Ibobi Singh]]<br />[[Nongthombam Biren Singh]] | | 1namedata1 = [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]] | ||
| office3 = [[Ministry of Minority Affairs (India)|Minister of Minority Affairs]] | | term_start2 = 21 August 2016 | ||
| | | term_end2 = 31 May 2018 | ||
| | | predecessor2 = [[V. Shanmuganathan]] | ||
| | | successor2 = [[Jagdish Mukhi]] ''(Addl. Charge)'' | ||
| | | 1blankname2 = Chief Minister | ||
| | | 1namedata2 = [[Okram Ibobi Singh]]<br />[[Nongthombam Biren Singh]] | ||
| | | office3 = 11th [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of [[Jamia Millia Islamia]] | ||
| | | 1blankname3 = Vice Chancellor | ||
| | | 1namedata3 = [[Talat Ahmad]]<br />Najma Akhtar | ||
| | | predecessor3 = [[Mohammad Ahmed Zaki]] | ||
| successor3 = [[Mufaddal Saifuddin]] | |||
| term_start3 = 26 May 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/|title=Latest News: Latest Latest News – Latest Live News Online – News18|website=News18|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/najma-heptulla-appointed-as-new-jamia-millia-islamia-chancellor/1076638|title=Najma Heptulla appointed as new Jamia Millia Islamia Chancellor – Free Press Journal|date=29 May 2017|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> | |||
| term_end3 = 13 March 2023 | |||
| office4 = [[Ministry of Minority Affairs (India)|Minister of Minority Affairs]] | |||
| primeminister4 = [[Narendra Modi]] | |||
| term_start4 = 26 May 2014 | |||
| term_end4 = 12 July 2016 | |||
| predecessor4 = [[K. Rahman Khan]] | |||
| successor4 = [[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]] | |||
| office5 = 7th [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha]] | |||
| term6 = 25 January 1985 – 20 January 1986 | |||
| predecessor6 = [[Shyamlal Yadav]] | |||
| successor6 = [[M. M. Jacob]] | |||
| term5 = 11 November 1988 – 10 June 2004 | | term5 = 11 November 1988 – 10 June 2004 | ||
| predecessor5 = [[Pratibha Patil]] | | predecessor5 = [[Pratibha Patil]] | ||
| successor5 = [[K. Rahman Khan]] | | successor5 = [[K. Rahman Khan]] | ||
| | | 1namedata6 = [[Ramaswamy Venkataraman]] (1986–1987)<br/>Mohammed Hidtmaullh | 1blankname5 = [[Vice President of India|Chairman]] | ||
| | | 1blankname6 = [[Vice President of India|Chairman]] | ||
| | | 1namedata5 = K R Narayan, Krishnan Kant, Bhairon Sheakhawat | ||
| | | office7 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]] | ||
| | | term7 = 3 April 2012 – 20 August 2016 | ||
| | | constituency7 = [[Madhya Pradesh]] | ||
| | | term8 = 2004–2010 | ||
| constituency8 = [[Rajasthan]] | |||
| term9 = 1980–2004 | |||
| constituency9 = [[Maharashtra]] | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1940|04|13}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1940|04|13}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Bhopal]], [[Bhopal State]], [[British India]] | | birth_place = [[Bhopal]], [[Bhopal State]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present-day [[Madhya Pradesh]], India) | ||
| death_date = | | death_date = | ||
| death_place = | | death_place = | ||
| Line 53: | Line 62: | ||
| spouse = {{marriage|Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla|1966|2007|end=d.}} | | spouse = {{marriage|Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla|1966|2007|end=d.}} | ||
| children = 3 | | children = 3 | ||
| residence = | | residence = | ||
| alma_mater = [[Vikram University]] | | alma_mater = [[Vikram University]] | ||
| president = | | president = | ||
| caption = Heptulla in 2016 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Najma Akbar Ali Heptulla''' (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian politician | '''Najma Akbar Ali Heptulla''' (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian politician. She was the [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of [[Jamia Millia Islamia]] from 2017 to 2023, until [[Mufaddal Saifuddin|Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin]] was elected as new [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] on 14 March 2023. She was a six time member of the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house of the Indian parliament, between 1980 and 2016, and [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha]] for sixteen years when she was a member of [[Indian National Congress|Congress]]. Later she was nominated vice-president of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in 2007, and was a minister from 2014-2016 as a member of BJP in Narendra Modi's first government. From 2016 to 2021, she served as the 16th Governor of [[Manipur]]. | ||
She is a second cousin to actor [[Aamir Khan]] and grand niece of [[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]].<ref>{{cite news| url= | She is a second cousin to actor [[Aamir Khan]] and grand niece of [[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/us | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720072406/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-29/did-you-know-/27903834_1_zakir-hussain-film-producer-tahir-hussain | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-07-20 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=The Times of India: Latest News India, World & Business News, Cricket & Sports, Bollywood}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Aamir-Khan-gifted-Maulana-Azads-speech-to-sister/articleshow/15387177.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503052630/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-07/news-interviews/33082475_1_aamir-khan-azad-rao-khan-satyamev-jayate | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-05-03 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Aamir Khan gifted Maulana Azad's speech to sister}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/Aamir-Khan-the-family-guy/Article1-909640.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811051044/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/Aamir-Khan-the-family-guy/Article1-909640.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2012|title=Aamir Khan, the family guy – Hindustan Times<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> She contested the 13th vice-presidential election held in August 2007 but lost to [[Hamid Ansari]] by 233 votes. She took oath as a [[cabinet minister]] in the [[Narendra Modi]] headed government on 26 May 2014 and was replaced by [[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]] in July 2016. | ||
== Early life and background == | == Early life and background == | ||
Najma was born as Sayyida Najma bint Yusuf on 13 April 1940 in [[Bhopal]], [[Bhopal State]], in present [[Madhya Pradesh]] to [[Sayyid]] Yusuf bin Ali | Najma was born as Sayyida Najma bint Yusuf on 13 April 1940 in [[Bhopal]], [[Bhopal State]], in present [[Madhya Pradesh]] to [[Sayyid]] Yusuf bin Ali Al Hashmi and Sayyida Fatima bint Mahmood.<ref name=bs0716 /> She is a [[Dawoodi Bohra]] Ismaili Shia [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] with [[Arabs|Arab]] ancestry, as traced by her ancestral roots in the [[Arabian Peninsula]] as well as [[Gujarat]] state.<ref name=bs0716 /> She did her schooling at Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya (MVM) Bhopal, and obtained an [[Master of Science|M.Sc.]] and a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] degree, both in [[Zoology]] (Cardiac Anatomy) from [[Vikram University]], [[Ujjain]].<ref name=bs0716>{{citation |title=Why Najma Heptulla, G M Siddeswara were forced to quit Modi Cabinet |url=http://wap.business-standard.com/article/politics/why-najma-heptulla-g-m-siddeswara-were-forced-to-quit-modi-cabinet-116071201174_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]] |date=13 July 2016 |last1=Mohan |first1=Archis }}</ref><ref name=gov /><ref>{{cite news | title = Najma Heptulla's journey from Cong to BJP cabinet: all you need to know | work=Firstpost | url= http://www.firstpost.com/politics/najma-heptullas-journey-from-cong-to-bjp-cabinet-all-you-need-to-know-1542765.html |date=26 May 2014 }}</ref> | ||
She married Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla in 1966, and has three daughters.<ref name=gov>{{cite web | title = Detailed Profile – Dr. Najma A. Heptulla – Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)|publisher=National Portal of India| url = http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=23| access-date = 27 May 2014}}</ref> Her husband, Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla, a manpower consultant, was instrumental in the establishment of the ''Patriot'' newspaper in the 1960s. He died on 4 September 2007, in New Delhi at the age of 75.<ref>{{cite news |title=Najma Heptulla bereaved | url = http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090564131300.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140528005200/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090564131300.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 28 May 2014 |date= 5 September 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=26 May 2014}}</ref> | She married Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla in 1966, and has three daughters.<ref name=gov>{{cite web | title = Detailed Profile – Dr. Najma A. Heptulla – Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)|publisher=National Portal of India| url = http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=23| access-date = 27 May 2014}}</ref> Her husband, Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla, a manpower consultant, was instrumental in the establishment of the ''Patriot'' newspaper in the 1960s. He died on 4 September 2007, in New Delhi at the age of 75.<ref>{{cite news |title=Najma Heptulla bereaved | url = http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090564131300.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140528005200/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090564131300.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 28 May 2014 |date= 5 September 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=26 May 2014}}</ref> | ||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
She steadily climbed up in the [[Indian National Congress]] party, heading several divisions of the party's grassroots organisations. She was the General Secretary of Congress during 1986 with the additional responsibility of youth activities of the [[All India Congress Committee]] and the [[NSUI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/NDA_puts_up_Najma_Heptullah_for_VP_poll_/articleshow/2225030.cms|title=NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for VP poll|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> Since 1980, she | She steadily climbed up in the [[Indian National Congress]] party, heading several divisions of the party's grassroots organisations. She was the General Secretary of Congress during 1986 with the additional responsibility of youth activities of the [[All India Congress Committee]] and the [[NSUI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/NDA_puts_up_Najma_Heptullah_for_VP_poll_/articleshow/2225030.cms|title=NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for VP poll|website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> Since 1980, she was a member of the [[Rajya Sabha]] from [[Maharashtra]] for four terms, elected in 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998 as Congress candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/Newmembers/alphabeticallist_all_terms.aspx |title=Alphabetical List of All Members of Rajya Sabha Since 1952 |publisher=164.100.47.5 |access-date=30 October 2012}}</ref> Najma was the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha from January 1985 to January 1986 and from 1988 to July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/deputy_chairman/former_deputy_chairmen.asp|title=Former Deputy Chairmen of the Rajya Sabha|publisher=[[Rajya Sabha]] Official website}}</ref> | ||
Heptulla joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in 2004.<ref name=bs0716 /><ref>{{citation |title=NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for VP poll |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/NDA_puts_up_Najma_Heptullah_for_VP_poll_/articleshow/2225030.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=22 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061206161100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628083401/http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061206161100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2004 |title=National : Najma Heptulla joins BJP |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=12 June 2004 |location=[[Chennai]] }}</ref> Media sources reported that she left the Congress apparently due to a strain in relationship with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070723/main2.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724040415/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070723/main2.htm|date=24 July 2008}}</ref> Later she alleged that she was personally humiliated by Sonia Gandhi.<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/election/2004/feb/23najma.htm |title=Sonia humiliated me: Heptullah - Lok Sabha Election news 2009 - Rediff.com |publisher=In.rediff.com |date=23 February 2004 |access-date=30 October 2012}}</ref> She declared that she was leaving the party due to the problems with party leadership.<ref name="Rediff" /> In 2007, BJP-led NDA fielded her as a candidate in the elections for the Vice-President of India, which was won by [[Hamid Ansari]].<ref>{{cite news |title=NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for vice-presidential poll |newspaper=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200707222001.htm |date=22 July 2007 |access-date=27 May 2014 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024113659/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200707222001.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
She was a member of Rajya Sabha, representing [[Rajasthan]] for BJP from July 2004 to July 2010. She was nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha in 2012 from [[Madhya Pradesh]], and assumed her office on 24 April 2012 upon election.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3350098.ece | title=New stars in Rajya Sabha, spotlight on Mayawati | work=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=25 April 2012 | location=New Delhi | date=25 April 2012 | first=Gargi | last=Parsai}}</ref> Under [[Nitin Gadkari]] as BJP President, she became one of the 13 vice-presidents of the BJP in 2010, where later when [[Rajnath Singh]] took over, she was made a member of the party's national executive.<ref name=exp /> Heptulla served as the [[Minister of Minority Affairs]] in Prime minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s cabinet from 26 May 2014<ref name=exp>{{cite news | title = Najma, The Lone Muslim Face in Modi Cabinet|newspaper= The New Indian Express | url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Najma-The-Lone-Muslim-Face-in-Modi-Cabinet/2014/05/26/article2246876.ece| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141222001041/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Najma-The-Lone-Muslim-Face-in-Modi-Cabinet/2014/05/26/article2246876.ece| url-status = dead| archive-date = 22 December 2014| date=26 May 2014|access-date = 27 May 2014}}</ref> to 12 July 2016.<ref>{{citation |title=Najma Heptulla, G M Siddeshwara resign from Modi Cabinet |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/najma-heptulla-g-m-siddeshwara-resign-naqvi-becomes-minority-affairs-minister/1/713432.html |work=[[India Today]] |date=12 July 2016}}</ref> She said that minorities needed a level playing field in Indian society, but reservation is not the solution as it kills the spirit of competition.<ref name=exp2>{{cite news |title=Najma rules out reservation for Muslims, says it's not the answer|newspaper= Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/najma-rules-out-reservation-for-muslims-says-it-s-not-the-answer/article1-1223529.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527224930/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/najma-rules-out-reservation-for-muslims-says-it-s-not-the-answer/article1-1223529.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2014| date=28 May 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
She resigned from her positions as a minister and a member of Rajya Sabha in 2016 when she was nominated Governor of Manipur. | |||
Heptulla was nominated to head the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]], ICCR. She also presided over the women parliamentarians' group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1993 and became founder president of the parliamentarians' forum for human development the same year. She was also elected President of [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]] (IPU), a [[Geneva]]-based international organisation at Council's 165th session in [[Berlin]] in 1999. She held the post from 16 October 1999 to 27 September 2002. Subsequently, in 2002, at Council's 171st session, she was chosen the Honorary President of the IPU Council. Heptulla was nominated by the United Nations Development Programme as its human development ambassador. Heptulla led a delegation to the UN Commission on Status of Women in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | title = President Najma Heptulla | url = http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/heptulla.htm | access-date = 27 May 2014 }}</ref> | Heptulla was nominated to head the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]], ICCR. She also presided over the women parliamentarians' group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1993 and became founder president of the parliamentarians' forum for human development the same year. She was also elected President of [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]] (IPU), a [[Geneva]]-based international organisation at Council's 165th session in [[Berlin]] in 1999. She held the post from 16 October 1999 to 27 September 2002. Subsequently, in 2002, at Council's 171st session, she was chosen the Honorary President of the IPU Council. Heptulla was nominated by the United Nations Development Programme as its human development ambassador. Heptulla led a delegation to the UN Commission on Status of Women in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | title = President Najma Heptulla | url = http://www.ipu.org/strct-e/heptulla.htm | access-date = 27 May 2014 }}</ref> | ||
| Line 73: | Line 89: | ||
Heptulla has authored book on AIDS titled "AIDS: Approaches to Prevention". She has also written on human social security, sustainable development, environment, reforms for women and on ties between India and west Asia. | Heptulla has authored book on AIDS titled "AIDS: Approaches to Prevention". She has also written on human social security, sustainable development, environment, reforms for women and on ties between India and west Asia. | ||
Heptulla faced charges of having morphed a 1958 photograph to show her along with [[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]] in a publication of the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations|Indian Council of Cultural Relations]] (ICCR). The controversial photograph was published in an ICCR publication titled 'Journey of a legend', on the life of Maulana Azad, a noted scholar and the country's first education minister. He was also the first chairperson of the ICCR and the publication came out when the council was headed by Heptulla. The photograph came with an introduction and showed a young Heptulla with the Maulana. The caption read "Najma Heptulla with Maulana Azad after her graduation". This gave the game away as official inquiries later revealed Heptulla had graduated in May 1958, whereas the Maulana had died on 22 February 1958. The publication was later withdrawn by the ICCR and its revised version is released but without the controversial photograph. Delhi High court had directed the CBI to investigate the case on a public interest litigation filed by ICCR Employees Association president.<ref name=fakephoto1>{{cite news | title = CBI may book Najma in fake photo case |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cbi-may-book-najma-in-fake-photo-case/article1-240210.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904005839/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cbi-may-book-najma-in-fake-photo-case/article1-240210.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2014| date=3 August 2007 |access-date=3 August 2007}}</ref> | |||
Heptulla faced charges of having morphed a 1958 photograph to show her along with [[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]] in a publication of the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations|Indian Council of Cultural Relations]] (ICCR). The controversial photograph was published in an ICCR publication titled 'Journey of a legend', on the life of Maulana Azad, a noted scholar and the country's first education minister. He was also the first chairperson of the ICCR and the publication came out when the council was headed by Heptulla. The photograph came with an introduction and showed a young Heptulla with the Maulana. The caption read "Najma Heptulla with Maulana Azad after her graduation". This gave the game away as official inquiries later revealed Heptulla had graduated in May 1958, whereas the Maulana had died on February | |||
==Awards and decorations== | ==Awards and decorations== | ||
===State honours=== | ===State honours=== | ||
*{{flag|Morocco}}: | |||
**[[File:Ordre de l'Ouissam Alaouite GC ribbon (Maroc).svg|70px]] [[Order of Ouissam Alaouite]], ''Grand Cordon'' (February 2001)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rama Devi |first1=V. S. |last2=Gujar |first2=B. G. |editor-last1=Sheriff |editor-first1=Shumsher K. |chapter=16. Obituary and Other References |title=Rajya Sabha At Work |url=https://sansad.in/rs/about/procedures |edition=3rd |publication-place=New Delhi |publisher=Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha |publication-date=2017|page=481|access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> | |||
*{{flag|Russia}}: | *{{flag|Russia}}: | ||
**[[File:Orden of Friendship.png|70px]] Recipient of the [[Order of Friendship]] (2019) | **[[File:Orden of Friendship.png|70px]] Recipient of the [[Order of Friendship]] (2019) | ||
===Awards=== | ===Awards=== | ||
*Recipient of the [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]] for the year 2013 | *Recipient of the [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]] for the year 2013 | ||
| Line 105: | Line 121: | ||
{{s-aft|after=[[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]]<br />Minister of State with<br />Independent Charge}} | {{s-aft|after=[[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]]<br />Minister of State with<br />Independent Charge}} | ||
{{s-bef|before=[[V. Shanmuganathan]]}} | {{s-bef|before=[[V. Shanmuganathan]]}} | ||
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of governors of Manipur|Governor of Manipur]]|years=21 August 2016 – | {{s-ttl|title=[[List of governors of Manipur|Governor of Manipur]]|years=21 August 2016 – 2021}} | ||
{{s-aft|after= | {{s-aft|after=La Ganeshan}} | ||
{{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}} | {{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}} | ||
{{Bharatiya Janata Party}} | {{Bharatiya Janata Party}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
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[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:Indian vice-presidential candidates]] | [[Category:Indian vice-presidential candidates]] | ||
[[Category:Deputy | [[Category:Deputy chairmen of the Rajya Sabha]] | ||
[[Category:Vikram University alumni]] | [[Category:Vikram University alumni]] | ||
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra]] | [[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra]] | ||
[[Category:Dawoodi | [[Category:Dawoodi Bohra people]] | ||
[[Category:Indian Ismailis]] | [[Category:Indian Ismailis]] | ||
[[Category:Gujarati people]] | [[Category:Gujarati people]] | ||
[[Category:Indian Shia Muslims]] | [[Category:Indian Shia Muslims]] | ||
[[Category:Indian people of Arab descent]] | [[Category:Indian people of Arab descent]] | ||
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Rajasthan]] | [[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Rajasthan]] | ||
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]] | [[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:People from Bhopal]] | [[Category:People from Bhopal]] | ||
[[Category:Indian Muslims]] | [[Category:21st-century Indian Muslims]] | ||
[[Category:Women in Madhya Pradesh politics]] | [[Category:Women in Madhya Pradesh politics]] | ||
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Madhya Pradesh]] | [[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Madhya Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]] | [[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]] | ||
[[Category:Ministers of minority affairs]] | |||
[[Category:Women members of the Cabinet of India]] | [[Category:Women members of the Cabinet of India]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian women politicians]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:04, 23 March 2026
Najma Heptulla | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Heptulla in 2016 | |
| 16th Governor of Manipur | |
| In office 24 July 2019 – 10 August 2021 | |
| Chief Minister | Nongthombam Biren Singh |
| Preceded by | Padmanabha Acharya (Addl. Charge) |
| Succeeded by | Ganga Prasad (Addl. Charge) |
| In office 26 June 2018 – 26 June 2019 | |
| Chief Minister | Nongthombam Biren Singh |
| Preceded by | Jagdish Mukhi (Addl. Charge) |
| Succeeded by | Padmanabha Acharya (Addl. Charge) |
| In office 21 August 2016 – 31 May 2018 | |
| Chief Minister | Okram Ibobi Singh Nongthombam Biren Singh |
| Preceded by | V. Shanmuganathan |
| Succeeded by | Jagdish Mukhi (Addl. Charge) |
| 11th Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia | |
| In office 26 May 2017[1][2] – 13 March 2023 | |
| Vice Chancellor | Talat Ahmad Najma Akhtar |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Ahmed Zaki |
| Succeeded by | Mufaddal Saifuddin |
| Minister of Minority Affairs | |
| In office 26 May 2014 – 12 July 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Narendra Modi |
| Preceded by | K. Rahman Khan |
| Succeeded by | Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi |
| 7th Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 11 November 1988 – 10 June 2004 | |
| Chairman | K R Narayan, Krishnan Kant, Bhairon Sheakhawat |
| Preceded by | Pratibha Patil |
| Succeeded by | K. Rahman Khan |
| In office 25 January 1985 – 20 January 1986 | |
| Chairman | Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1986–1987) Mohammed Hidtmaullh |
| Preceded by | Shyamlal Yadav |
| Succeeded by | M. M. Jacob |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 3 April 2012 – 20 August 2016 | |
| Constituency | Madhya Pradesh |
| In office 2004–2010 | |
| Constituency | Rajasthan |
| In office 1980–2004 | |
| Constituency | Maharashtra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 April 1940 Bhopal, Bhopal State, British India (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India) |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party (since 2004) |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (1960s–2004) |
| Spouse(s) | Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla
( m. 1966; died 2007) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Vikram University |
Najma Akbar Ali Heptulla (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian politician. She was the Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia from 2017 to 2023, until Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was elected as new Chancellor on 14 March 2023. She was a six time member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, between 1980 and 2016, and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for sixteen years when she was a member of Congress. Later she was nominated vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2007, and was a minister from 2014-2016 as a member of BJP in Narendra Modi's first government. From 2016 to 2021, she served as the 16th Governor of Manipur.
She is a second cousin to actor Aamir Khan and grand niece of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.[3][4][5] She contested the 13th vice-presidential election held in August 2007 but lost to Hamid Ansari by 233 votes. She took oath as a cabinet minister in the Narendra Modi headed government on 26 May 2014 and was replaced by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in July 2016.
Early life and background[edit | edit source]
Najma was born as Sayyida Najma bint Yusuf on 13 April 1940 in Bhopal, Bhopal State, in present Madhya Pradesh to Sayyid Yusuf bin Ali Al Hashmi and Sayyida Fatima bint Mahmood.[6] She is a Dawoodi Bohra Ismaili Shia Gujarati with Arab ancestry, as traced by her ancestral roots in the Arabian Peninsula as well as Gujarat state.[6] She did her schooling at Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya (MVM) Bhopal, and obtained an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. degree, both in Zoology (Cardiac Anatomy) from Vikram University, Ujjain.[6][7][8]
She married Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla in 1966, and has three daughters.[7] Her husband, Akbar Ali Akhtar Heptulla, a manpower consultant, was instrumental in the establishment of the Patriot newspaper in the 1960s. He died on 4 September 2007, in New Delhi at the age of 75.[9]
Career[edit | edit source]
She steadily climbed up in the Indian National Congress party, heading several divisions of the party's grassroots organisations. She was the General Secretary of Congress during 1986 with the additional responsibility of youth activities of the All India Congress Committee and the NSUI.[10] Since 1980, she was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra for four terms, elected in 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998 as Congress candidate.[11] Najma was the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha from January 1985 to January 1986 and from 1988 to July 2004.[12]
Heptulla joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004.[6][13][14] Media sources reported that she left the Congress apparently due to a strain in relationship with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.[15] Later she alleged that she was personally humiliated by Sonia Gandhi.[16] She declared that she was leaving the party due to the problems with party leadership.[16] In 2007, BJP-led NDA fielded her as a candidate in the elections for the Vice-President of India, which was won by Hamid Ansari.[17]
She was a member of Rajya Sabha, representing Rajasthan for BJP from July 2004 to July 2010. She was nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha in 2012 from Madhya Pradesh, and assumed her office on 24 April 2012 upon election.[18] Under Nitin Gadkari as BJP President, she became one of the 13 vice-presidents of the BJP in 2010, where later when Rajnath Singh took over, she was made a member of the party's national executive.[19] Heptulla served as the Minister of Minority Affairs in Prime minister Narendra Modi's cabinet from 26 May 2014[19] to 12 July 2016.[20] She said that minorities needed a level playing field in Indian society, but reservation is not the solution as it kills the spirit of competition.[21]
She resigned from her positions as a minister and a member of Rajya Sabha in 2016 when she was nominated Governor of Manipur.
Heptulla was nominated to head the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, ICCR. She also presided over the women parliamentarians' group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1993 and became founder president of the parliamentarians' forum for human development the same year. She was also elected President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a Geneva-based international organisation at Council's 165th session in Berlin in 1999. She held the post from 16 October 1999 to 27 September 2002. Subsequently, in 2002, at Council's 171st session, she was chosen the Honorary President of the IPU Council. Heptulla was nominated by the United Nations Development Programme as its human development ambassador. Heptulla led a delegation to the UN Commission on Status of Women in 1997.[22]
Heptulla has authored book on AIDS titled "AIDS: Approaches to Prevention". She has also written on human social security, sustainable development, environment, reforms for women and on ties between India and west Asia.
Heptulla faced charges of having morphed a 1958 photograph to show her along with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in a publication of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR). The controversial photograph was published in an ICCR publication titled 'Journey of a legend', on the life of Maulana Azad, a noted scholar and the country's first education minister. He was also the first chairperson of the ICCR and the publication came out when the council was headed by Heptulla. The photograph came with an introduction and showed a young Heptulla with the Maulana. The caption read "Najma Heptulla with Maulana Azad after her graduation". This gave the game away as official inquiries later revealed Heptulla had graduated in May 1958, whereas the Maulana had died on 22 February 1958. The publication was later withdrawn by the ICCR and its revised version is released but without the controversial photograph. Delhi High court had directed the CBI to investigate the case on a public interest litigation filed by ICCR Employees Association president.[23]
Awards and decorations[edit | edit source]
State honours[edit | edit source]
Morocco:
Order of Ouissam Alaouite, Grand Cordon (February 2001)[24]
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Russia:
Recipient of the Order of Friendship (2019)
Awards[edit | edit source]
- Recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the year 2013
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Latest News: Latest Latest News – Latest Live News Online – News18". News18. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ↑ "Najma Heptulla appointed as new Jamia Millia Islamia Chancellor – Free Press Journal". 29 May 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ↑ "The Times of India: Latest News India, World & Business News, Cricket & Sports, Bollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013.
- ↑ "Aamir Khan gifted Maulana Azad's speech to sister". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013.
- ↑ "Aamir Khan, the family guy – Hindustan Times". Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mohan, Archis (13 July 2016), "Why Najma Heptulla, G M Siddeswara were forced to quit Modi Cabinet", Business Standard
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Detailed Profile – Dr. Najma A. Heptulla – Members of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)". National Portal of India. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ "Najma Heptulla's journey from Cong to BJP cabinet: all you need to know". Firstpost. 26 May 2014.
- ↑ "Najma Heptulla bereaved". The Hindu. 5 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ↑ "NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for VP poll". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ↑ "Alphabetical List of All Members of Rajya Sabha Since 1952". 164.100.47.5. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ↑ "Former Deputy Chairmen of the Rajya Sabha". Rajya Sabha Official website.
- ↑ "NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for VP poll", The Times of India, 22 June 2007
- ↑ "National : Najma Heptulla joins BJP", The Hindu, Chennai, 12 June 2004, archived from the original on 28 June 2004
- ↑ [1] Archived 24 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Sonia humiliated me: Heptullah - Lok Sabha Election news 2009 - Rediff.com". In.rediff.com. 23 February 2004. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ↑ "NDA puts up Najma Heptullah for vice-presidential poll". The Hindu. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ Parsai, Gargi (25 April 2012). "New stars in Rajya Sabha, spotlight on Mayawati". The Hindu. New Delhi. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Najma, The Lone Muslim Face in Modi Cabinet". The New Indian Express. 26 May 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ "Najma Heptulla, G M Siddeshwara resign from Modi Cabinet", India Today, 12 July 2016
- ↑ "Najma rules out reservation for Muslims, says it's not the answer". Hindustan Times. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ "President Najma Heptulla". Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ "CBI may book Najma in fake photo case". Hindustan Times. 3 August 2007. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- ↑ Rama Devi, V. S.; Gujar, B. G. (2017). "16. Obituary and Other References". In Sheriff, Shumsher K. (ed.). Rajya Sabha At Work (3rd ed.). New Delhi: Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha. p. 481. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
External links[edit | edit source]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Shyam Lal Yadav |
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha 1985–1986 |
Succeeded by M.M. Jacob |
| Preceded by Pratibha Patil |
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha 1988–2004 |
Succeeded by K. Rahman Khan |
| Preceded by K. Rahman Khan |
Minister of Minority Affairs 2014–2016 |
Succeeded by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Minister of State with Independent Charge |
| Preceded by V. Shanmuganathan |
Governor of Manipur 21 August 2016 – 2021 |
Succeeded by La Ganeshan |
