Rspalmora at 14:27, 22 January 2026

2026-01-22T14:27:30Z

New page

{{short description|Indian politician (born 1950)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[Mawlānā]]
| image = File:Shri M. Badruddin Ajmal 2016.jpg
| caption = Ajmal in 2016
| office1 = [[All India United Democratic Front|President of the All India United Democratic Front]]
| term_start1 = 2 October 2005
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = ''Post Established''
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[Assam Legislative Assembly|Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency2 = [[Salmara South (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Salmara South]]
| term_start2 = 11 May 2006
| term_end2 = 16 May 2009
| predecessor2 = Wazed Ali Choudhury
| successor2 = Wazed Ali Choudhury
| office3 =
| primeminister3 =
| constituency3 = [[Jamunamukh (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jamunamukh]]
| term_start3 = 11 May 2006
| term_end3 = 17 October 2006
| predecessor3 = [[Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury (Indian politician)|Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury]]
| successor3 = [[Sirajuddin Ajmal]]
| office4 =
| name = Badruddin Ajmal
| constituency = [[Dhubri (Lok Sabha constituency)|Dhubri]]
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| termstart = 16 May 2009
| termend = 4 June 2024
| predecessor = [[Anwar Hussain (politician)|Anwar Hussain]]
| successor = [[Rakibul Hussain]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1950|02|12}}
| birth_place = [[Hojai, Assam]], India
| nationality = Indian
| party = [[All India United Democratic Front]] (2005 to present)
| otherparty =
| alma_mater = [[Darul Uloom Deoband]]
| children = {{ubl|[[Abdur Rehman Ajmal]] (son)| [[Abdur Rahim Ajmal]] (son) Abdul Majid Ajmal(son)}}
| spouse = Rehana Badruddin Ajmal
| profession = Politician, businessman
| relatives = [[Sirajuddin Ajmal]] (brother)
| date = 23 December 2024
| source = https://web.archive.org/web/20210228040420/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4436
| office5 = State President of [[Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind]], Assam unit
| office6 = [[Chief Executive Officer]] of [[Ajmal Foundation]]
| term_start6 = 2005
| predecessor6 = Post Established
}}
'''Badruddin Ajmal''' (born 12 February 1950) is an Indian businessman, politician, [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]] and [[Islamic schools and branches|Islamic]] [[Theology|theologian]] from the state of [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/himanta-biswa-sarma-in-this-assam-election-bangladeshi-immigrants-want-their-own-cm-too/|title=Himanta Biswa Sarma: In this Assam election, Bangladeshi immigrants want their own CM too|date=15 February 2016}}</ref> He is the state-president of [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind]] for Assam. He was the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], Lok Sabha from [[Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency|Dhubri constituency]] from 2009 to 2024. In the [[2024 Indian general election|2024 Indian general elections]], he was the wealthiest candidate from [[Assam]] with declared assets exceeding [[Indian rupee sign|₹]] 155 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Phase 3 polls in Assam: Ajmal leads list of wealthy candidates|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/phase-3-polls-in-assam-ajmal-leads-list-of-wealthy-candidates/articleshow/109849550.cms}}</ref> He is the founding President of the [[All India United Democratic Front]] since 2005. He is also [[Chief Executive Officer]] of a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit organization]], [[Ajmal Foundation]] which established 25 educational institutions,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agha |first1=Eram |title=Number of Students Clearing NEET Exam After Coaching From Ajmal Foundation's Increases from 11 to 80 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/number-of-students-clearing-neet-exam-after-coaching-from-ajmal-foundations-increases-from-11-to-80-2977391.html |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=News18 |publisher=[[CNN-News18]] |date=18 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> schools, and hospitals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakravarty |first1=Ipsita |last2=Saikia |first2=Arunabh |title='Minority communalism is costly': A polarising debate on citizenship makes Assam's Muslims cautious |url=https://scroll.in/article/920335/minority-communalism-is-costly-a-polarising-debate-on-citizenship-makes-assams-muslims-cautious |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=Scroll |publisher=[[Scroll.in]] |date=18 April 2019}}</ref>

==Biography==
Ajmal was born to a [[Bengali Muslim]] family from [[Hojai]], [[Assam]]. His family traces its origins to the [[Sylhet Division|Sylhet district]] of [[Bangladesh|eastern Bengal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/assam-assembly-election-perfume-baron-badruddin-ajmal-is-expected-to-hold-on-to-his-strongholds-expand-his-reach/articleshow/50787794.cms?from=mdr|title=Assam assembly election: Perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal is expected to hold on to his strongholds & expand his reach|date=31 January 2016|author=Seetharaman, G.|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> He is the son of Haji Ajmal Ali, a rice farmer who moved to Mumbai in 1950 to try to succeed in the perfume industry using the ''[[Agarwood|oud]]'' plant. After the opening of the first store in the 1960s, the Ajmal perfume brand quickly grew to become a large brand in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sajjad|first=M.|title=Ajmal Perfumes: A 70-year legacy of farm to fragrance|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/videos/nation/ajmal-perfumes-a-70-year-legacy-of-farm-to-fragrance|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}}</ref> He holds master's degrees in [[Islamic Theology|Theology]] and [[Arabic]] from [[Darul Uloom Deoband]].<ref name="aj"/>

== Career ==
The son of the founder of Ajmal Perfumes, he established the [[All India United Democratic Front]] (AIUDF) in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All India United Democratic Front |url=http://www.aiudf.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514025101/http://www.aiudf.org/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=www.aiudf.org}}</ref> He is also the president of the [[Assam]] State [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind]].<ref name="aj">{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=4436 |title=Bioprofile of 15th Lok Sabha members, India |access-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102003242/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=4436 |archive-date=2 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He is a three-time MP from [[Dhubri]] constituency.<ref>{{Cite web|title=15th Lok sabha members, Assam, India|url=http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/statedetail.aspx?state_code=Assam|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925134612/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/statedetail.aspx?state_code=Assam|archive-date=25 September 2015|access-date=30 June 2012}}</ref> He has been regularly listed among "[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]" of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Muslim 500: Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi|url=https://www.themuslim500.com/profiles/badruddin-ajmal-qasmi/|access-date=2020-04-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/22-Indians-among-worlds-influential-Muslims/articleshow/49315830.cms|title=Times of India on 22 most influential Muslims in India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=12 October 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>

He is the managing trustee of Haji Abdul Majid Memorial (HAMM) Public Trust, Hojai. This trust is best known for the [[charitable hospital]] Haji Abdul Majid Memorial Hospital and Research Center<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ajmalfoundation.org/ |title=Ajmal Foundation |access-date=24 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401130846/http://www.ajmalfoundation.org/ |archive-date=1 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> at [[Hojai]], Assam. He also established a hospital at Malua near [[Badarpur, Assam|Badarpur]] of [[Karimganj district|Karimganj]], named as Badarpur Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |title=Badruddin Ajmal Election Results 2021: News, Votes, Results of Assembly |url=https://www.ndtv.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-candidates-list-2019/badruddin-ajmal-03004-4 |work=NDTV.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2005, he established [[Ajmal Foundation]], a non-governmental organization based in Assam, India, and operating 25 educational institutions across the state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Number of Students Clearing NEET Exam After Coaching From Ajmal Foundation's Increases from 11 to 80 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/number-of-students-clearing-neet-exam-after-coaching-from-ajmal-foundations-increases-from-11-to-80-2977391.html |work=www.news18.com |date=2020-10-18 |language=en}}</ref> Since 1995, he has served as director of [[Shaikhul Hind Academy]], a department of Darul Uloom Deoband.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Qasmi |first=Muhammadullah Khalili|author-link=Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi|url=https://archive.org/details/darul-uloom-deob-ki-jamey-wa-mukhtasar-tareekh-edition-2|title=Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jame O Mukhtasar Tareekh |publisher=Shaikh-Ul-Hind Academy |edition=3rd|date= October 2020|location=India|page=790|language=ur|oclc=1345466013}}</ref>

==Political activities==
He was the president of Hojai session reception committee of [[Assam Sahitya Sabha]], 2004 and Darul Hadith, Jayanagar Madrassa.<ref name="aj" /> Assam Ajmal's political debut came in 2005 after the Supreme Court struck down the [[Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act, 1983|Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=17 August 2012|title=Assam Muslims blame perfume baron for unrest|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Guwahati/Assam-Muslims-blame-AIUDF-chief-for-violence-in-state/Article1-915265.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819062428/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Guwahati/Assam-Muslims-blame-AIUDF-chief-for-violence-in-state/Article1-915265.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2012}}</ref> Ajmal founded the Assam United Democratic Front, which was renamed the All-India United Democratic Front in 2013.

Before the 2006 Assam assembly elections, Ajmal was politically insignificant. During the 2006 elections however, his party managed to win 10 seats fighting the Congress. He was elected simultaneously from two constituencies – South Salmara and Jamunamukh – by a large margin of votes. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Ajmal won from [[Dhubri (Lok Sabha constituency)|Dhubri]] constituency.<ref name=":0" />

In the [[2011 Assam Legislative Assembly election|2011 Assembly polls]], AIUDF won 18 seats and emerged as the largest opposition party in [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/PartyWiseResult.htm |title=Partywise Trends & Result |access-date=19 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519040751/http://www.eciresults.ap.nic.in/PartyWiseResult.htm |archive-date=19 May 2014 }}</ref>

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Ajmal was re-elected from Dhubri and his party won 3 Lok Sabha seats. In the [[2016 Assam Legislative Assembly election|2016 assembly elections]], however, the BJP swept the polls and Ajmal himself lost the [[Salmara South (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Salmara South]] constituency. His party was reduced to 13 seats.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-30|title=The 'Ajmal' factor in Assam Assembly polls|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/the-ajmal-factor-in-assam-assembly-polls-945305.html|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2019 Indian general election in Assam|2019 Lok Sabha elections]], Ajmal was the only candidate from his party to keep his seat, winning again from Dhubri. With 7 children, he has most children for any Member of Parliament in India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-25|title=Mr PM, Please Note: 96 BJP MPs Have Three or More Children|url=https://www.newsclick.in/BJP-Loksabha-MPs-Children-Narendra-Modi-Government|access-date=2021-02-01|website=NewsClick|language=en}}</ref> In 2020, Ajmal announced he and Congress would be in alliance for the 2021 polls.<ref name=":1" />

== Controversy ==
Ajmal's statements have often courted controversy for polarizing [[Bengali Muslims]]. Following the [[2012 Assam violence|2012 Assam riots]], Ajmal claimed the violence was between [[Boro people|Bodos]] and [[Muslims]]. The remarks were criticised by an [[Islam in Assam#Indigenous Assamese Muslims|Assamese Muslim]] group, the Sadou Asom Gariya – Moria Desi (SAGMJ), along with the [[All Assam Students' Union|All Assam Students Union]], for ignoring that [[Islam in Assam#Indigenous Assamese Muslims|Assamese Muslim]] were not involved at all.<ref name=":0" />

On 22 January 2021, at a rally in [[Dhubri]], Ajmal claimed that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|''Bharatiya Janata Party'' (BJP)]] had a list of 3500 [[Mosque|mosques]] it would destroy if returned to power at the Centre and that “they will not let women go out wearing ‘[[burqa]]’, grow a beard, wear a [[Taqiyah (cap)|skullcap]] or even offer ''[[Adhan|azaan]]'' at mosques.” The BJP claimed he was making "communal statements" out of nervousness since BJP "will get majority share of Muslim votes" this election. [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], with whom Ajmal is in alliance, as well as NDA party [[Asom Gana Parishad]] also condemned the remarks.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-21|title=Congress runs for cover in Assam after new ally AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal sparks a row|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assam-assembly-election/congress-runs-for-cover-in-assam-after-new-ally-aiudf-chief-sparks-a-row-101611251674963.html|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

On 7 January 2023, ahead of the [[Ram Mandir]] consecration, Ajmal suggested that Muslims should stay indoors and avoid traveling by train, citing fears of anti-Muslim violence. [[Giriraj Singh]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] criticised Ajmal's comments, saying "BJP does not hate Muslims ... BJP respect all religions."<ref>{{cite news |title=‘Stay home from Jan 20-25’: AIUD chief Badruddin Ajmal urges Muslims ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration, BJP hits back |newspaper=Livemint |date=7 January 2024 |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/stay-home-from-jan-20-25-aiud-chief-badruddin-ajmal-urges-muslims-ahead-of-ram-mandir-inauguration-bjp-hits-back-11704633878899.html |access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>

On 24 February 2025, Ajmal apologized for remarks he had made about Geetashri Tamuly, wife of MLA [[Akhil Gogoi]]. When asked about her appointment as a faculty member in a Guwahati college, Ajmal reportedly dismissed commenting on her, calling her an "old woman," but added that he would have spoken if the issue involved a "young woman." His remarks were described as [[sexist]] by the youth wing of the [[Raijor Dal]] party, and both its youth wing and women's wing filed police reports. Ajmal issued a video apology, stating his words were misinterpreted by the media and reiterating his respect for women.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal apologises for 'sexist' remarks against MLA's wife |newspaper=Deccan Herald |date=24 February 2025 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/assam/former-assam-mp-badruddin-ajmal-apologises-for-sexist-remarks-against-mlas-wife-3419340 |access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[List of Deobandis]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{facebook|mbadruddinajmal}}
*{{twitter|BadruddinAjmal}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Badruddin Ajmal}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[All India United Democratic Front]] Party in the [[16th Lok Sabha]]|years=2014–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{16th LS members from Northeast states |state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ajmal, Badruddin}}
[[Category:People from Dhubri district]]
[[Category:India MPs 2009–2014]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Assam]]
[[Category:India MPs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:All India United Democratic Front politicians]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Darul Uloom Deoband alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:Deobandis]]
[[Category:Ajmal family]]
[[Category:Assam MLAs 2006–2011]]
[[Category:Members of the Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband]]

Badruddin Ajmal - Revision history

Rspalmora at 14:27, 22 January 2026