Amir Haider (born 1936) is a politician from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Early life

Haider was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in 1936. He received his

primary education Primary education or elementary education is typically the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary school. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first ...

in the village of Mittai in Barabanki district before going to Lucknow for his higher education, where he joined student politics and became the first president of

Shia College Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest Islamic schools and branches, branch of Islam. It holds that the Prophets and messengers in Islam, Islamic prophet Muhammad in Islam, Muhammad designated Ali, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his S ...

's students' union. He also held several posts in Lucknow University's student union.

In politics

Haider joined the Communist Party in the late 1950s as state secretary. He was imprisoned in Tihar Jail along with Dr.

Ram Manohar Lohia Ram Manohar Lohia ; (23 March 1910 – 12 October 1967) was an activist in the Indian independence movement and a socialist political leader. During the last phase of British rule in India, he worked with the Congress Radio which was broadcast s ...

Mani Ram Bagri Ch. Mani Ram Bagri (1 January 1920 – 31 January 2012) was an Indian parliamentarian and political activist. He served three terms in the Indian Parliament, first from 1962 to 1967, and then again from 1977 to 1984. He belonged to the league of ...

, and other socialist leaders. In 1966 he joined the Indian National Congress. Since then he has held several positions, including chairman of the State Minority Cell, general secretary, member of the All India Congress Committee (three terms), and Uttar Pradesh PCC (seven terms). He is currently a member of the Congress Working Committee and chairman of the Senior Men Cell. Recently came into controversy by writing a book named 'Bitter Truth' after 2014 Lok Sabha Election on why congress lost.

Social movements

Haider is a member of the Red Cross board of governors and runs several educational institutions that aim to give quality education to poor children for free. He has led several movements representing the cause of

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with ...

farmers. He also filed a case against

Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...

and Jaya Bachchan in a Barabanki land case in 2006. He is currently working on the issue of land acquisition by builders and developers at low rates through putting pressure on farmers in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

References

1936 births Living people Politicians from Lucknow People from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh Indian communists Indian National Congress politicians from Uttar Pradesh {{UttarPradesh-INC-politician-stub