Tue Mar 04 13:50:34 UTC 2025: ## Veteran Journalist and Former MLC Qazi Arshad Ali Passes Away at 75

**Bidar, Karnataka, March 4, 2025** – Prominent journalist and former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Qazi Arshad Ali, passed away on Monday at the age of 75 following a fatal heart attack at his home in Bidar. Ali, a highly respected figure in Karnataka, was known for his decades-long advocacy for the development of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Ali’s career spanned over four decades, marked by his relentless reporting on the socio-cultural aspects and backwardness of the region. He served as the editor of two prominent newspapers, *Surkh Zameen* (Urdu) and *Bidar Ki Awaaz* (Hindi), and contributed a regular column on minority affairs and caste politics to a Kannada daily. His work highlighted the region’s communal harmony and its unique syncretic culture.

A 1,000-page compilation of questions Ali raised in the Legislative Council and the government’s responses serves as a valuable resource for journalists and researchers. He spearheaded campaigns for key developments in the region, including the establishment of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal husbandry and Fisheries Sciences University, a Gulbarga University satellite center in Bidar, and a High Court Circuit Bench in Kalaburagi.

Ali’s influence extended beyond journalism. His home and office served as a hub for intellectual discourse, attracting leading minds of the region. He was widely regarded as a mentor and resource person for young journalists and policymakers, contributing significantly to various committees and commissions focused on regional development and border disputes. His deep understanding of the region’s issues, coupled with his meticulous data collection, allowed him to effectively advocate for its progress.

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders from the Congress, BJP, and Janata Dal(S) expressing their condolences. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son. Ali’s legacy as a champion of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region and a dedicated journalist will be long remembered.

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