Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
www.asiantribune.net
That, he has strong commitment to fight for the rights of citizens and speaks for injustice, is known in the region, but what makes it even more inspirational is his career trajectory.
Masood Khan is an individual with rare dedication. Since mid 1980s, he has voiced people’s concerns, courageous taking stand on issues in society and campaigning for justice.Khan, who lives in Bhopal, consistently raised issues and brought them to fore, particularly, cases related to infringement of human rights.
Over the years, he emerged as a bold social leader, ready to fight for any issue that affected society and especially speaking on matters that needed urgent attention. Passionate about peace, communal harmony and justice, he is able to make impact in the society. Subsequently, he sensed that just speaking up was not enough.
The moment, he would come to know that a group was being oppressed or a section or a family attacked, or that citizens in a district had faced atrocities due to a local strongmen or any section in far-flung town or rural region was being harassed due to vested interest of any powerful lobby or local politician, he would visit the spot to find the truth and intervened.
Khan continued his struggle and balanced his work life separately. He faced tough situations but there was no looking back. Throughout the first decade of the century, he kept eye on acts of violence and brought them to attention of society, approaching authorities to seek action.
From incident of excesses on innocents to social tensions, he would go and meet people. order to restore peace and justice. Despite being a bank official, a profession that doesn’t seem to give much time and liberty, and doesn’t seem to be in sync with the extent of work that social activism demands, how could he do it?
“I was doing my job but whenever I heard about an incident, I would feel uneasy. I always got worried and felt that something should be done as a citizen to redress the grievances and settle issues”.
“It was in 1986 after an incident in Sehore, that I devoted myself to fight for justice and raise issues as per my capability”, says Khan, who feels that all must act like responsible citizens and strengthen democracy.
“Over the years I realized that when an issue is raised, even small steps bring change and later corrective action is taken. By helping people secure justice, I learnt the importance to keep society informed about the things happening around us.
The political class, executive & media has to be aware about need for focus on major issues and incidents. I do it (social activism) for my own conscience as all must make an effort protection of rights“.
[Shams Ur Rehman Alavi is a senior journalist who has worked with several national and international publications. He specializes on crime, human rights, politics and demography He can be contacted at shams.alavi@gmail.com]
