Haji Hameed Kandak calls for unity among Ahinda communities, collapses on stage, dies

Mangaluru, Jan 24: Haji Abdul Hameed Kandak, a well-known social worker, veteran community leader and philanthropist of Mangaluru, passed away on Wednesday evening after he suffered a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a speech. 

72-year-old Haji is survived by his wife, four sons, a daughter, and a large number of relatives, friends and well-wishers.

He collapsed on the stage while speaking as a chief guest at a seminar on judiciary and constitution organised by the Dakshina Kannada district unit of Ahinda movement at Woodlands Hotel in the city on the eve of Republic Day. 

He began his speech expressing frustration over the current situation in India. “Those who are trying to change the constitution and those who killed the father of the nation are ruling our country now,” he said. 

He also said that even though religious minorities, backward classes and dalits together comprise a vast majority of India’s population, they are oppressed and suppressed by a very small section of people. “We had built Ahinda movement years ago. However there is no unity among us. We are divided and deprived of all our rights. A small section of people is ruling us,” he said and called upon Ahinda communities (minorities, backward classes and dalits) to unite.

Meanwhile, the speaker’s face turned pale. He almost lost his voice when he said that he was feeling uneasy. All of a sudden he collapsed. DYFI leader Muneer Katipalla, fishermen community leader Vasudeva Boloor, former Beary Academy president B A Mohammed Haneef and others who were present on the stage rushed to help him. Within minutes Haji was taken to nearby Unity Hospital where he breathed his last. 

Mr Katipalla said that Haji was active till last moment and prior to the commencement of Ahinda programme he mingled with the people freely and discussed about the social and political situation of the coastal Karnataka.

Son of a farmer, Haji Abdul Hameed Kandak was a successful businessman in the city. He had engaged in travel industry. He was an advocate of unity among Muslims. He had been at forefront of several social movements and was a prominent Muslim leader in coastal Karnataka. He had served as member of the All-India Haj Committee, and as vice-president of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Muslim Central Committee. He had also been the president of Central Market Merchants' Association. He was also a leader of Congress party.

Family sources, said that the last rites will be performed at Ullal Darga mosque premises on the outskirts of the city on Thursday, January 25.

Political, religious and social leaders including Dakhsina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, Food minister UT Khader, DK and Udupi Muslim Central Committee president Haji K S Mohammed Masood among others have expressed deep condolences on the sad demise of Haji Hameed Kandak. Various organizations and parties including Congress, PFI, SDPI, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Indian Social Forum etc too have shared condolence messages.