SRINAGAR: Distinguished Kashmir expert, author, political commentator and lawyer Abdul Ghafoor Majeed Noorani, popularly known as AG Noorani has passed away at his Mumbai residence. He was 94.
Noorani’s demise marks the end of an era in Indian intellectual and legal circles, leaving behind a legacy that is both profound and inspiring. In Kashmir, he will be missed for a long time as his body of work on Kashmir as a lawyer, author and political commentator has been immense.
Born on September 16, 1930, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Noorani’s life was one dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, justice, and intellectual rigour. He was educated at St Mary’s, a Jesuit school, before obtaining his law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai. His legal career was illustrious, with a practice that spanned the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court, where he became known for his sharp legal mind and unwavering commitment to justice.
Noorani’s influence extended beyond the courtroom. He was a prolific writer and his insightful columns appeared in leading publications such as Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Dawn, The Statesman, Frontline, Economic and Political Weekly, and Dainik Bhaskar. His work was not just limited to commentary; it was a deep exploration of the complex interplay between law, politics, and society in India.
Among his notable works are The Kashmir Question, Article 370: A Constitutional History of Jammu and Kashmir, Badruddin Tyabji, Ministers’ Misconduct, Brezhnev’s Plan for Asian Security, The Presidential System, The Trial of Bhagat Singh, Constitutional Questions in India, and The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour. These books remain seminal contributions to Indian legal and political thought. He also authored the biographies of Badruddin Tyabji and Dr Zakir Husain, further cementing his reputation as a meticulous historian and biographer.
Noorani’s legal acumen was not confined to his writings. He played a crucial role in defending key political figures during turbulent times in India’s history. He was a steadfast defender of Sheikh Abdullah of Kashmir during the latter’s long period of detention, a case that remains a landmark in the annals of Indian legal history. Besides, represented former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi in the Bombay High Court, where he stood against the latter’s main political rival, J Jayalalitha.
Noorani’s passing is a significant loss for all who value rigorous, insightful analysis and thoughtful discourse. His extensive body of work and dedication to intellectual rigour have left an indelible mark on the fields of law, politics, and history in India. His departure leaves a void in the hearts and minds of those who were influenced by his work, but his legacy will undoubtedly endure, continuing to inspire future generations of scholars, lawyers, and thinkers.
Noorani would routinely visit Kashmir almost every second year. However, post-2019, he never visited Kashmir. He was in love with Kashmir, its food and culture. He even went to jail for it, once.
Noorani’s demise is being widely consoled. “Just received news that distinguished scholar, lawyer, and political commentator A. G. Noorani is no more. He breathed his last a few minutes ago in Mumbai. We mourn the loss of this great scholar and a friend of Kashmir,” Kashmir journalist Iftikhar Gilani wrote on Facebook. “A. G Noorani’s incisive scholarship and profound insights into politics and law have left an indelible mark. His passing is a tremendous loss to the intellectual community. May his legacy continue to inspire and guide future generations. .” Noorani was very close to Iftikhar for more than 30 years.
“AG Noorani, a giant among scholars has passed away. I learnt a great deal from him, from the constitution to Kashmir, to China & even the art of appreciating good food. May Allah grant him maghfirah,” Asadudin Owaisi wrote on X.
“Sorry to hear about the demise of A G Noorani Sb earlier today. Noorani Sb was a man of letters, an accomplished lawyer, a scholar & a political commentator,” former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter. “He wrote extensively on matters of law and on subjects like Kashmir, RSS and the constitution. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat.”
Mohammad Saleem Beg was also very close to Noorani. He wrote a brief note on his facebook wall. “I have known Noorani sb well rather late in his life. That gave me the privilege of hearing him and his understanding of the persona and the events of the most happening and eventful years of the twentieth century. His areas of interest were Kashmir and Hindu Muslim politics of the subcontinent,” Beg, the INTACH Kashmir convener wrote. “His insightful analysis and thoughtful discourse on this period was objective, rarely found in writings and discourses on the subject even from the known experts and practitioners. His memory was his greatest asset. He could narrate paragraphs of his writings or writings of others without using any text. He was a practising lawyer for a long long period of his life and he would quote and relay judgements of eminent British judges for proving or elucidating a point. As we remember his extensive body of work and his dedication to intellectual rigour, we also recognize the void his departure leaves in our hearts and minds. I would draw on his time at Delhi where he used to visit often till 2018 and in Kashmir during that period. I have always felt enriched wd each meeting in content as also in the personal affection that I received from him.”
