Abdul Ghafoor Majeed Noorani, popularly known as A. G. Noorani, passed away in Mumbai today at the age of 93, marking the end of an era in India’s political landscape.
Born in 1930, Noorani embarked on a career that spanned several decades, during which he established himself as one of India’s foremost constitutional experts.
He practiced law in the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court, earning a reputation for his rigorous legal acumen and his dedication to defending civil liberties.
Among his notable legal work, he defended Sheikh Abdullah, the prominent leader of Jammu and Kashmir, during his prolonged detention, and represented former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in a high-profile case against J. Jayalalitha, his political rival.
Beyond the courtroom, Noorani’s contributions to Indian political discourse were immense. He was a prolific writer, with his columns regularly appearing in major Indian publications such as The Hindu, Frontline, and Economic and Political Weekly.
Noorani authored several seminal books that continue to shape the understanding of Indian history and politics. His works include The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012, an exhaustive chronicle of one of the most enduring conflicts in South Asia, and The Destruction of Hyderabad, a detailed account of the political and military actions that led to the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
His book The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour remains a crucial resource for understanding the ideological and operational dynamics between India’s ruling party and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
RSS is characterized as a truly cadre-based organization spread through the Shakhas system (branches) in which members meet every day, wherein physical and arms training programmes are conducted; here members receive ideological instruction and take oaths to protect the Hindu nation.
Throughout his life, Noorani was a steadfast critic of the majoritarian turn in Indian politics, particularly the rise of Hindutva. He traced the ideological foundations of Hindutva back to figures like V. D. Savarkar and M. S. Golwalkar, highlighting their influences on contemporary political developments.
His analysis was not merely academic; it was a passionate defense of India’s pluralistic and democratic values, which he believed were under threat.
As we bid farewell to A. G. Noorani, we honor a life committed to truth, justice, and intellectual rigor. His legacy endures through his extensive work, which will continue to inspire and guide future generations dedicated to justice and democracy.
