Arif Mohammad Khan

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Arif Mohammad Khan
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.jpg
22nd Governor of Kerala
Assumed office
6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan
Preceded byP. Sathasivam
23rd Union Minister of Civil Aviation
In office
6 December 1989 – 10 November 1990
Prime MinisterV. P. Singh
Preceded byShivraj Patil
Succeeded byHarmohan Dhawan
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1980 (1980) – 1984 (1984)
Preceded byManohar Lal
Succeeded byNaresh Chander Chaturvedi
ConstituencyKanpur
In office
1984 (1984) – 1991 (1991)
Preceded byMaulana Saiyad Muzaffar Hussain
Succeeded byRudrasen Chaudhary
ConstituencyBahraich
In office
1998 (1998) – 1999 (1999)
Preceded byPadamsen Chaudhary
Succeeded byPadamsen Chaudhary
ConstituencyBahraich
Personal details
Born (1951-11-18) 18 November 1951 (age 72)
Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress
Janata Dal
Bahujan Samaj Party

Arif Mohammad Khan (born 18 November 1951) is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Governor of Kerala.[1] He is a former Union Minister. He has held several portfolios ranging from energy to civil aviation.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

Arif Mohammad Khan was born on 18 November 1951 in Bulandshahr. He was educated at Jamia Millia School, Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and at Shia College, Lucknow University.[3]

Arif Mohammad Khan.jpg

Political career[edit]

Khan started his political career as a student leader. He was the President of Aligarh Muslim University Students' Union in the year 1972-73 and also its honorary Secretary a year earlier (1971–72).[3] He contested the first legislative assembly election from Siyana constituency of Bulandshahar on Bharatiya Kranti Dal party's banner but was defeated. He became a member of the legislative assembly of UP in 1977 at the age of 26.[4]

Khan joined the Indian National Congress party and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 from Kanpur and 1984 from Bahraich. In 1986, he quit the Indian National Congress due to differences over the passage of Muslim Personal Law Bill which was piloted by Rajiv Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. He was against the legislation to enable Matha' to Muslim divorcee women as per Qur'an and resigned because of differences with Rajiv Gandhi on this issue. Khan joined the Janata Dal and was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989. During the Janata Dal rule Khan served as union Minister of Civil aviation and Energy. He left the Janata Dal to join the Bahujan Samaj Party and again entered the Lok Sabha in 1998 from Bahraich. Khan held ministerial responsibilities from 1984 to 1990. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate that year from Kaiserganj constituency.

Islam reformation[edit]

Arif Mohammad Khan has always supported reformation within Muslims.[5] He resigned from position of Minister of state protesting against Rajiv Gandhi Congress Government stand on Shah Bano case in 1986.[6] He defended Supreme Court judgment on Shah Bano case in Parliament.[7][8] Arif opposed triple talaq in India and said that it should be punishable with 3 years in jail.[9] Khan has asserted that Muslim men are still allowed to be polygamous and can also give a divorce easily by paying paltry sums.[10]

Current activities[edit]

Khan has been deeply involved in writing since his student days. He is the author of the best selling book of the year 2010 Text and Context: Quran and Contemporary Challenges, published by Rupa & Co.[11] Now Arif Mohammad Khan is actively involved in writing articles and columns related to Islam and Sufism.[12] He has advocated abolishing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.[13] Arif Mohammad Khan also supported the Supreme Court of India's judgment in Shah Bano case to make the right to maintenance of a divorced Muslim wife absolute.[14][15]

Governor of Kerala (2019 - present)[edit]

Khan was appointed the Governor of Kerala on 1 September 2019 by the order of the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. He took charge as Governor on 6 September 2019 from P. Sathasivam.[16][17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. "Arif Khan, Modi govt's only 2nd Muslim governor, whose political views align with the BJP's".
  2. "Women get a raw deal again: Muslim Personal Law Board is still stuck in Shah Bano timewarp as its opposition to triple talaq bill proves". 9 January 2018.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Biographical Sketch of Member of 12th Lok Sabha". loksabhaph.nic.in. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  4. "Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election Results in 1977". www.elections.in. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  5. "No country for triple talaq". 6 June 2017.
  6. Arif on Shah Bano case: 'Najma Heptullah was key influence on Rajiv Gandhi'
  7. Triple talaq negates both equality and dignity of Muslim women: Arif Mohammad Khan
  8. ‘Rajiv was pressured by Narasimha Rao, Najma Heptulla during Shah Bano’
  9. Triple Talaq Should be Punishable With 3 Years Jail: Arif
  10. "If triple talaq can be challenged, why can't polygamy?". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  11. "Let the Quran Speak for Itself, Books and Documents, Saif Shahin, NewAgeIslam.com, New Age Islam". Newageislam.com. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  12. "Is there any scope for change and reform in Islam?". Tehelka.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  13. "Arif Mohammad Khan on Shah Bano case: 'Najma Heptullah was key influence on Rajiv Gandhi'".
  14. "Arif Mohammad Khan welcomes Supreme Court's ruling on Section 125".
  15. ""It's Not About The Slogan. By Throwing Challenges, Owaisi Is Reviving Separatism."". magazine.outlookindia.com. Outlook India Magazine. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  16. "Arif Mohammad Khan takes oath in Malayalam". The Times of India. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  17. "Arif Mohammad Khan Sworn In As Kerala Governor". NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.

Sources[edit]

Lok Sabha
Preceded by
Manohar Lal
Member of Parliament
for Kanpur

1980 – 1984
Succeeded by
Naresh Chander Chaturvedi
Preceded by
Maulana Saiyad Muzaffar Hussain
Member of Parliament
for Bahraich

1984 – 1991
Succeeded by
Rudrasen Chaudhary
Preceded by
Padamsen Chaudhary
Member of Parliament
for Bahraich

1998 – 1999
Succeeded by
Padamsen Chaudhary
Political offices
Preceded by
P. Sathasivam
Governor of Kerala
6 September 2019 – Present
Incumbent
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