Renowned Islamic Scholar, peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan succumbs to COVID, passes away
New Delhi: Renowned Islamic Scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan passed away in Delhi on Wednesday evening. The 96-year-old scholar had tested positive for COVID-19 last week and was in ICU at Apollo Hospital in the national capital.
Born in Azamgarh in 1925, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan comes from a family of staunch nationalists who played a key role in the 1857 mutiny for Independence.
A renowned activist, he has also written a two-volume commentary on the Holy Qur’an. To platform the ideas of peaceful coexistence, social harmony, and interfaith dialogue, Khan established the Islamic Centre in Delhi in 1970.
Six years later, he started a monthly magazine called Al-Risala, which primarily comprised his own articles that spoke to the Muslim community about their responsibilities. Al-Risala was launched in both English and Hindi in February 1984 and December 1990, respectively.
He has written over 200 books and a bulk of his oeuvre focused on secularism, inter-faith dialogue, social harmony and freedom of speech.
Khan was awarded India’s second-highest civilian award — the Padma Vibhushan — this year for his exceptional contribution in the field of spiritualism. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
