The death of Shakir Ali Khan, 55, on Friday has left Jamia Millia Islamia fraternity in India and globally in deep mourning. A familiar and much-loved face among students and alumni, Shakir lost his battle with cancer and passed away in the ICU of Al Shifa Hospital in Abul Fazal Enclave today.
His will be laid to rest at 11 pm today at Batla House graveyard and Janaze-Namaz is to be offered at Noor Nagar masjid, according to a family member.
Shakir had undergone surgery two months ago but could not recover from the illness.
Though he never completed school, dropping out after the fourth grade from Jamia School, he grew to become an unforgettable part of the Jamia story.
In the late 1990s, Jamia Store in front of the administrative block at the main gate, was more than just a marketplace — it was the heart of student life. Shakir, then a young man helping his father run a tea stall, became a familiar and comforting presence to generations of students.
His small shop, known for egg omelets, buttery chickpeas (Budhram-style chole), and tea served as a gathering spot for political discussions, debates, laughter, and friendships that would last a lifetime.
Originally from Rampur, his grandfather, affectionately called Merchant, started the family business selling cold drinks and fruit near the university gate. His father, Sabir, later opened the tea stall, which quickly became a popular destination for students, especially hostellers.
A Jamia alumnus remembers that two shops stood out at Jamia Store — one belonging to Shakir’s family and the other to a man named Nasir. The iconic store was demolished in 1999 after the university reclaimed the land with all illegal shops being demolished, but Shakir’s bond with the alumni who had relished on his delicacies never faded.
In 2001, Shakir opened an eatery in Abul Fazal Enclave, which became a new home for alumni visiting Delhi from across the world. No matter where they were from — Delhi, other parts of India, or even abroad — they never missed a chance to stop by and see Shakir, who greeted everyone with his trademark smile and open heart.
Social media was flooded with heartfelt tributes after his passing. UAE-based Jamia alumnus Zubair Irshad recalled: “He left school after the fourth grade. We were too young to understand why, but we later saw him working side by side with his father and grandfather. Always smiling, light-hearted, and warm, he welcomed old friends like family. He didn’t just cook — he added love and laughter into every dish, and that’s how he became immortal through his chickpeas.”
Another alumnus, Ghizal Mahdi, wrote: “The sudden passing of Shakir has deeply impacted the Jamia community, both in India and abroad. Though he studied at Jamia till Class IV, he represented the spirit of the university — love, kindness, and generousity. His sharp memory, deep love for music, and fondness for Hafeez Jalandhari’s poetry made him even more special. Over the past two months, I was in close contact with Shakir and his family. Despite the expert care from one of the country’s top oncologists, his illness proved too rare and aggressive.”
Ghizal wrote: “Let us honour his memory by promoting his values — compassion, humility, and friendship. Let us observe a ‘Shakir Memorial Day’ every year to remember the impact he had on our lives.”
Though Shakir is no longer with us, his warmth, food, and friendship will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
