Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: Bajpe Abdul Khader Mohideen (B A Mohideen), who breathed his last at a private hospital at Bengaluru on Tuesday morning at 81, belonged to a breed of politicians who were honest, efficient, selfless and idealistic. Perhaps he was the last link in the chain of such people who could be termed as statesmen rather than politicians.

In honour of the late leader, holiday was given to Muslim educational institutions in various places including Bajpe, Addur, Gurpur, Edapadavu, Kuppepadav etc on Tuesday. Mohideen had put in lot of efforts in setting up Muslim educational institutions in Dakshina Kannada district.

B A Mohideen has left behind wife, Khadeeja, sons, Abdul Khader Mushtaq and Asif Masood, and daughters, Halima Shahin and Fatima Sabina.

Mohideen, who had fallen seriously ill a few months back, was treated in a private hospital here. After recovering, he began to stay with his son living at Bengaluru. After his health problems relapsed, he was treated in M S Ramaiah Hospital at Sanjay Nagar, Bengaluru for about 11 days. His health had improved and he was discharged from hospital at around 9 pm on Monday but within hours, he started to suffer from breathing problems. His end came at around 5.45 am.

At around 8 am, the mortal remains of Mohideen were brought to the residence of his son at Sanjay Nagar Bengaluru where scores of leaders including ministers, MPs and MLAs paid their last respects. At 11 am the body was moved from Sanjay Nagar and taken to Mangaluru. It reached his hometown, Bajpe, at around 4.30 pm. Funeral was conducted at Idgah mosque at Bajpe with full state honours.

Former Prime Minister, H D Deve Gowda, said that the state has lost a great leader in Mohideen and prayed for his soul to rest in peace. Chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, noted that Mohideen, who was an associate of Devaraj Urs, had served the state in an excellent manner by being small scale industries minister and higher education minister in the government led by J H Patel. This veteran statesman had won Devaraj Urs award in 2016, he recollected.

Former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, recalling his long association with Mohideen, hailed him for sticking to his ideals and principles till his last breath. He wished that Mohideen lived longer.

Former chief minister and state BJP president, B S Yeddyurappa, who counted Mohideen as one among a few gentlemen politicians, recalled his services to the state as an influential political leader from coastal Karnataka, MLA and also as minister.

State assembly speaker, Ramesh Kumar, who paid last respects to the mortal remains of Mohideen, could not control his tears as he sobbed uncontrollably. Ramesh Kumar, who remained a close friend and follower of Mohideen since long, recollected his association with Mohideen when both of them were in Janata Party. Minister, Khader, and others pacified Ramesh Kumar.