Tributes paid to journalist Saleem Siddiqi

Journalist Saleem Siddiqi was paid warm tributes at Mahdi Villa, Nehtaur.

The condolence meeting of Saleem Siddiqi, a popular journalist for over two decades, organised at Mahdi villa, was noteworthy – not only for huge attendance and warm tributes, but also for representation from different sections of the people, in terms of profession, age, religion and caste etc.

It clearly demonstrated that Saleem Siddiqi was a pro-people journalist, who gave voice to the people and was in the forefront of people’s struggles, irrespective of the arena – be it education, or health, or sports, or politics or any other. During the last two years, he published around 40 reports pertaining to the Free Diabetes and Blood Pressure Screening and Counseling Centre at Mahdi Villa.

While highlighting the above, Ghizal Mahdi, the founder of the Centre also pointed out that the untimely departure of Saleem Siddiqi at 46 due to heart attack was a consequence of suffering from high blood pressure.

He emphasised that especially after 40 years of age, it is a must to get our blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked at least every year, even if there are no complaints.

Lokendar Dodwal, District Vice President of Bhartiya Kisan Union, and Chaudhary Rajinder Sing, spokesperson, said that the death of Saleem Siddiqi was a big loss to the struggles of the farmers and the working class.

They said Saleem used to send reports (on whatsapp), which were a great boon to especially those villages where no newspaper was available.

Vipin Verma and Manish Rana from the Journalist Union, while paying rich tributes, said how he used to help them and young journalists.

Rizwan Ansari of Shiksha Parishad said that Saleem Siddiqi was not only a journalist but also a social worker always ready to help the people. Comrade Ghulam Sabir, patron of the E-Rickshaw Union, highlighted how Salim Siddiqi, as President of the Union, was practically involved in the struggles for their welfare.

Hamza Zaidi, former principal of Bijnor Inter College, said that Saleem Siddiqi was loved by all because of his selfless works. Major Charan Singh Sharma, former principal of S. N. S. M. Inter College, along with telling about Saleem’s punctual nature, highlighted his role in organising games and giving prominence to the coverage of NCC and sports activities.

Aziz-ul Rehman, a famous senior poet, paid his tribute through a poem and said: Every locality of Nehtaur is drowned in sorrow, dear Salim.
Anwar Siddiqi and Athar Husain mentioned their close relations with Salim Siddiqi and described him as a bouquet of good qualities, a good football player and propagated education and sports among children.

Maulvi Tayyab Ali paid tribute on behalf of Jamiat Ulema-i Hind, and led the prayers for him. Advocate Tariq Sami, Master Vijay Pal Singh, senior farmers leader, Subhan Ansari, Dr. Hitesh Kumar, Mohammad Huzaifa and Jawed Saifi also paid rich tributes to Salim Siddiqi.

Ita-at Husain conducted the proceedings, while Advocate Mehmood Ahmed presided; Maqsood Ahmad Ansari, former Chairperson Nehtaur Municipal Board, Chaudhary Rajinder Singh, Ghizal Mahdi, Charan Singh Sharma, Master Vijay Pal Singh were at the dais.

The meeting concluded with over 160 participants standing in silence for two minutes – in the memory of Salim Siddiqi.
Some other prominent persons, who attended the condolence meeting, included:
Raja Ansari son of Feroza Khatoon former chairperson of Nehtaur Municipal Board, Dr Ankur Jain, Wisal Mehdi, former Secretary of Managing Committee of Dargae Alia Najajaf-e-Hind Jogipura, Municipal Ward Member Ryasat Bontis, former ward member Zahid Husain, Muneer Siddiqui, Nafees Saifi, Hafiz Sartaj, Mohd. Shahab, Bhartye Kisan Union city president Dilshad Ahmed, Naushad Ahmed, Contractor Javed Anwer, Akram Ansari, Mohd. Salmi, Shameem Blogger, press reporters – Zaheen Ansari, Hamid Salmani, Abid Ansari, Abdul Kalam -, Anmol Tyagi, Javed Sakhawat, Naved Iqbal, Wisal Saifi, Shabbu Mansoori, Shameem Farooqui, Faizan Siddiqui, Mulla Omar Fareedi, Abdussalam Ansari, Hafiz Abdussattar, Jawed Siddiqui, Virendr Rathi, Asad Farooqui, Dheerendr Singh, Aftab Ansari, Shoeb Malik, Kuldeep Singh, Arshad Mansoori, Naeem Siddiqui, Mohit Sharma

NOTE: Issued by Nehtaur-based centre headed by Ghizal Mahdi.

Ghizal Mahdi, a senior Jamia Milia Islamia alumnus who along with other four Jamia alumni – Professor Zubair Meenai, Shyam Sunder Agarwal, Hasan Abdullah and Mahendr Manral established the Centre in Nehtaur on 16 October 2022.