Muhammad Ismail

Muhammad Ismail Biography

Muhammad Ismail was a famous politician from Tamil Nadu belonging to Indian Union Muslim League. He was fondly called as "Quaid-e-Millat". He has served terms both in Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as well as Indian parliament. He was also a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly which framed the Indian Constitution. In addition to a political carrier, he was also known as a successful businessman. Ismail was the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly during 1946-52.

Muhammad Ismail was born in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu on 5 June 1896 as the son of Moulvi K. T. Miakhan Rowther. His college education was done at several colleges including CMS College and MDT Hindu College at Tirunelveli and later at St. Joseph's College, Trichy and Madras Christian College. Ismail started the Young Muslim Society in Tirunelveli Petai in 1909 and was instrumental in establishing Majlis-ul-Ulama (Council of Islamic Scholars) in 1918. He got associated with politics and joined Muslim league. In 1945, he became the president of the Madras Presidency unit of the Muslim league. One year later, he successfully led League in front for the Assembly elections and won 28 seats. Thus it became the second major party after Indian National Congress. Thus Ismail became the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly during 1946-52.

After India partition in 1947, Muslim League split into Indian and Pakistani sections. Indian members formed the Indian Union Muslim League in India and Ismail became its first president. In 1952, he was elected to Rajya sabha and remained there till 1958. In Rajya Sabha he supported the retaining of Sharia law for Indian Muslims. In 1956, after the formation of Kerala state, he shifted his attention to Kerala politics. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Manjeri Parliamentary Constituency three times - in 1962, 1967 and 1971 as an IUML candidate.

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Updated: January 02, 2014