Salman Khurshid Alam Khan (born 1 January 1953) is an Indian politician, designated senior advocate, author and law teacher. He was the Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of External Affairs. He is a member of the Indian National Congress{{cite news| url= http://www.mea.gov.in/eam.htm| title= External affairs minister| date= 20 January 2013| url-status= live| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160925202635/http://www.mea.gov.in/eam.htm| archive-date= 25 September 2016| df= dmy-all}} who was elected from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency in the General Election of 2009 from the Farrukhabad area. Earlier he was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha (1991–1996) from the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency. He became the Union Deputy Minister of Commerce in June 1991, and later became the Union Minister of State for External Affairs (January 1993 – June 1996). He started his political career in 1981 as an Officer on Special Duty in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) under the prime ministership of Indira Gandhi.

Early life and education

He is the son of Khurshed Alam Khan, a former Union Minister of External affairs, Government of India, and maternal grandson of Zakir Husain, the third President of India. He is of Pathan ancestry on both his paternal and maternal sides of his family, he traces his lineage to the Afridi and Kheshgi Tribes of Afghanistan.{{Cite web |title=All the best, my fellow Pathan |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2018/08/04/all-the-best-my-fellow-pathan.html |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=The Week |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Network |first=L. I. |date=2021-04-29 |title=SALMAN KHURSHID ALAM KHAN |url=https://www.lawinsider.in/trending/salman-khurshid-alam-khan |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=Law Insider India |language=en-US}}

He studied in St. Xavier's High School, Patna,{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Khurshid-nostalgic-over-Patna/articleshow/10433745.cms | title=Khurshid nostalgic over Patna | date=21 October 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220164925/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-21/patna/30306072_1_salman-khurshid-hindi-patna-university | archive-date=20 December 2013 | work=The Times of India | df=dmy-all }} Delhi Public School, Mathura Road.[http://www.salmankhurshid.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=51&linkid=2 Salman Khurshid – Introduction of a Modern Leader] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629210008/http://www.salmankhurshid.com/php/showNews.php?newsid=51&linkid=2 |date=29 June 2009 }} He obtained B.A. (English and Jurisprudence) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and later did M.A., Bachelor of Civil Law at St Edmund Hall of Oxford University.[https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=3523 Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=3523 |date=14 May 2011 }} Lok Sabha. He also taught as lecturer in law at Trinity College, Oxford.

Political career

Salman started his political career as an Officer on Special Duty in the Prime Minister's Office, during the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi in the early 1980s. Later he became the Deputy Minister of Commerce in the Government of India. In 1991, he won the election to parliament from the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and was appointed Minister of State for External Affairs by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He lost the election of 1996 and it was not until 2009 that he returned to Parliament.

In the General Election of 2009, he was elected as Member of Parliament from Farrukhabad, winning as a candidate of the Indian National Congress, with 169,351 votes. He became the Union Minister of State (with Independent Charges) of Corporate Affairs and Minority Affairs in the Government of India. He took over as Minister on Friday, 29 May 2009. In the Cabinet reshuffle of 12 July 2011, he was made Cabinet Minister for Law and Justice, and for Minority Affairs, in the Government of India.

He came 4th and lost his deposit in the Lok Sabha elections 2014 contesting from the same constituency of Farrukhabad. In the next parliamentary election (2019), he stood 3rd in with 55,258 votes.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Political offices

He has been the President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee twice. He was also the President of the Delhi Public School Society and Dr. Zakir Hussain Study Circle and PATRON of Mother Teresa Memorial Trust/Mother Teresa Foundation.

In 2009, incumbent president Sirajuddin Qureshi beat Salman Khurshid for the presidency of India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC).[http://www.twocircles.net/2009jan19/sirajuddin_qureshi_wins_iicc_election.html Sirajuddin Qureshi wins IICC election] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304205906/http://twocircles.net/2009jan19/sirajuddin_qureshi_wins_iicc_election.html|date=4 March 2012}} In 2024, he was elected president of IICC.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-08-14 |title=Salman Khurshid elected president of India Islamic Cultural Centre |url=https://theprint.in/india/salman-khurshid-elected-president-of-india-islamic-cultural-centre/2224047/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}

Political views

Salman Khurshid appeared for Students Islamic Movement of India, a group banned in India and frequently charged by Indian authorities with terrorist activities, as its defence lawyer, appealing the 2002 ban; in June 2006 the Supreme Court of India rejected the appeal noting "the appeal against the ban should be first argued before the tribunal established for the purposes". Asked about his appearance, Khurshid said:

I would refuse a client only when I am personally satisfied that taking up the case would go against the ethics of the profession. A lawyer has to appear for an accused. It is my constitutional duty. A party and the government too cannot pre-judge an organisation.[http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/8569.html Security check] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131239/http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/8569.html |date=29 September 2007 }} The Indian Express – 16 July 2006

File:Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Indian External Affairs Minister Khurshid.jpg, Secretary of State, United States in 2013, during his term as the External affairs minister]]

In 2009, Salman Khurshid criticized the partition of India, opining that a united India would have been better than a divided one.{{cite web |title=An undivided India? |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/the-big-fight/an-undivided-india-100356 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=19 October 2020 |language=en |date=29 August 2009}}

Writings

He is the author of the play Sons of Babur, published by Rupa & Co., which has been staged, with Tom Alter in the lead role, at the Red Fort in Delhi.{{Cite web |title=Salman Khurshid |url=https://rolibooks.com/digital-magazine/author/salman-khurshid/#:~:text=Salman%20Khurshid%20is%20an%20Indian,the%20Red%20Fort%20in%20Delhi. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221022153/https://rolibooks.com/digital-magazine/author/salman-khurshid/ |archive-date=2024-02-21 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Roli |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Khurshid |first=Salman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SsqTNAAACAAJ |title=Sons of Babur: A Play in Search of India |date=2008 |publisher=Rupa Publications |isbn=978-81-291-1315-3 |language=en}}

Khurshid was the editor of "The Contemporary Conservative: Selected Writings of Dhiren Bhagat" {{cite book |title=The Contemporary Conservative: Selected Writings |isbn=067083789X |df=dmy-all |last1=Bhagat |first1=Dhiren |year=1990 |publisher=Viking }} published in 1990.

In October 2021, Khurshid published Sunrise over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times, writing about India's decline in secularism surrounding the Ayodhya dispute.{{Cite web|title=Sunrise over Ayodhya|url=https://penguin.co.in/book/sunrise-over-ayodhya/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=Penguin Random House India|language=en-US}} BJP leaders shared an excerpt from the book and triggered a controversy regarding Khurshid's attempt to draw a parallel between Hindutva and radical Islamist groups.{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Poulomi|date=2021-11-11|title='Version of Hindutva similar to ISIS': Complaints filed against Salman Khurshid over new book on Ayodhya|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/version-of-hindutva-similar-to-isis-complaints-filed-against-salman-khurshid-over-new-book-on-ayodhya-101636617896747.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112083519/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/version-of-hindutva-similar-to-isis-complaints-filed-against-salman-khurshid-over-new-book-on-ayodhya-101636617896747.html|archive-date=2021-11-12|access-date=2021-11-16|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} The controversy resulted in his Nainital home being vandalized and set on fire.{{Cite web|title=नैनीताल में सलमान खुर्शीद के घर आगजनी-पथराव, अयोध्या पर किताब लिखने के बाद से हो रहा विरोध|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/uttarakhand/story/nainital-arson-stone-pelting-at-salman-khurshid-house-book-controversy-ntc-1357492-2021-11-15|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Aaj Tak|date=15 November 2021 |language=hi}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Congress's Salman Khurshid's Home Set On Fire: "Left A Calling Card..."|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congresss-salman-khurshids-home-set-on-fire-days-after-book-on-ayodhya-2611799|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115215518/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congresss-salman-khurshids-home-set-on-fire-days-after-book-on-ayodhya-2611799|archive-date=2021-11-15|access-date=2021-11-16|website=NDTV}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-11-15|title=Congress leader Salman Khurshid's Nainital home set on fire amid controversy over his new book|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1010630/congress-leader-salman-khurshids-nainital-home-set-on-fire-amid-controversy-over-his-new-book|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115132739/https://scroll.in/latest/1010630/congress-leader-salman-khurshids-nainital-home-set-on-fire-amid-controversy-over-his-new-book|archive-date=2021-11-15|access-date=2021-11-16|website=Scroll|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Amid Salman Khurshid Book Controversy, His Nainital Home Was Vandalized|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/newsmo/video/amid-salman-khurshid-book-controversy-his-nainital-home-was-vandalized-1877289-2021-11-16|access-date=2021-11-18|website=India Today|date=16 November 2021 |language=en}}

A suit filed by Hindu Sena President Vishu Gupta, wanting to stop the publication, circulation, and sale of the book Sunrise over Ayodhya was dismissed by a Delhi court on 18 November 2021. The court said that the author and publisher had the right to write and publish the book.{{Cite magazine|agency=Press Trust of India |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Delhi court refuses to stop publication, circulation, sale of Salman Khurshid's Ayodhya book|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/delhi-court-refuses-stop-publication-circulation-sale-salman-khurshid-book-ayodhya-1877952-2021-11-18|access-date=2021-11-18|magazine=India Today|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=सलमान खुर्शीद की किताब पर रोक से इनकार, कोर्ट ने हिंदू सेना से कहा- भावनाओं को ठेस पहुंच रहा तो...|url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/delhi/story/patiala-house-court-refused-to-ban-on-salman-khurshid-book-on-hindu-sena-plea-ntc-1358943-2021-11-18|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Aaj Tak|date=18 November 2021 |language=hi}}

Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust and Operation Dhritrashtra

Khurshid and his wife Louise run the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust for physically challenged people.{{cite news|title=Arvind Kejriwal takes on Salman Khurshid again, presents counter proof|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arvind-kejriwal-takes-on-salman-khurshid-again-presents-counter-proof/1016998/|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=15 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235931/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arvind-kejriwal-takes-on-salman-khurshid-again-presents-counter-proof/1016998 |archive-date=17 October 2012|df=dmy-all}} The trust was founded on 30 October 1986 and commemorates the third President of India, Zakir Husain, who is the maternal grandfather of Salman Khurshid. The Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust is registered at Khurshid's residence as an NGO and Louise is its chief functionary officer.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zakir-hussain-memorial-trust-salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid/1/224216.html |title=India News - Latest News, Breaking News and Headlines from India |access-date=2013-05-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223025201/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zakir-hussain-memorial-trust-salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid/1/224216.html |archive-date=23 December 2012 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|title=Disabled people protest against Salman Khurshid|location=RANCHI|access-date=17 October 2012|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/ranchi/34524091_1_kantatoli-ngos-disabled-people|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116123833/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/ranchi/34524091_1_kantatoli-ngos-disabled-people|url-status=dead|work=The Times of India|archive-date=16 January 2014}} It has been operating in many states and receiving substantial grants from several important ministries of the government of India. {{as of|2012}}, it is chaired by Sayeeda Alam, Khurshid's father. In October 2012, India Today and Aaj Tak alleged that the Khurshids had embezzled funds, a charge denied by them. The ruling party Congress strongly defended Khurshid, but former social activist Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party began what he called "indefinite agitation". Angered by the allegations, Khurshid called Arvind Kejriwal a 'guttersnipe'.{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-12/india/34411396_1_salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid-lakh-of-government-funds | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116124022/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-12/india/34411396_1_salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid-lakh-of-government-funds | url-status=dead | archive-date=2014-01-16 | work=The Times of India | title=Khurshid fumes at 'guttersnipes' Kejriwal & company}} About 7.1 million was allegedly used by Salman Khurshid which was funded by the government to buy tricycles for the disabled.{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/ranchi/34524091_1_kantatoli-ngos-disabled-people | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116123833/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/ranchi/34524091_1_kantatoli-ngos-disabled-people | url-status=dead | archive-date=2014-01-16 | work=The Times of India | title=Disabled people protest against Salman Khurshid}}{{cite news|last=Reddy|first=B. Muralidhara|title=Khurshid flaunts photos to show camps for disabled were held|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/khurshid-flaunts-photos-to-show-camps-for-disabled-were-held/article3996794.ece|access-date=30 September 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015124549/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/khurshid-flaunts-photos-to-show-camps-for-disabled-were-held/article3996794.ece |archive-date=15 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Deepak|title=First letter from India Today group to Salman Khurshid on September 2, 2012|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-letter-from-india-today-group-to-law-minister-salman-khurshid-on-september-8-2012/1/224770.html|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=India Today online|date=14 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015031546/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-letter-from-india-today-group-to-law-minister-salman-khurshid-on-september-8-2012/1/224770.html|archive-date=15 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|last=Mathur|first=Swathi|title=34 district officials accuse Khurshids Trust of forgery|url=http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1§id=edid=&edlabel=TOIKRKO&mydateHid=14-10-2012&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Kochi&edname=&articleid=Ar00100&publabel=TOI|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204133604/http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1§id=edid=&edlabel=TOIKRKO&mydateHid=14-10-2012&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Kochi&edname=&articleid=Ar00100&publabel=TOI|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2013|access-date=14 October 2012|newspaper=The Times of India}}{{cite news|last=Pandey|first=Alok|title=Draft CAG report points to irregularities, 'suspected fraud' in Salman Khurshid's trust|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/draft-cag-report-points-to-irregularities-suspected-fraud-in-salman-khurshid-s-trust-279220|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=NDTV news|date=13 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015051947/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/draft-cag-report-points-to-irregularities-suspected-fraud-in-salman-khurshid-s-trust-279220 |archive-date=15 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Khurshid returns to Delhi, vows to fight back legally|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/khurshid-returns-to-delhi-vows-to-fight-back-legally/article3996507.ece|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 October 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017002901/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/khurshid-returns-to-delhi-vows-to-fight-back-legally/article3996507.ece|archive-date=17 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|last=IANS|title=Arvind Kejriwal announces indefinite agitation till Salman Khurshid is arrested|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-13/india/34430545_1_salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid-hussain-memorial-trust|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103132236/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-13/india/34430545_1_salman-khurshid-louise-khurshid-hussain-memorial-trust|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=13 October 2012}}

"Operation Dhritrashtra"{{cite news |author=Deepak Sharma |title=Operation-dhritrashtra-how-we-did-it |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/operation-dhritrashtra-how-we-did-it/1/224349.html |location=New Delhi |work=India Today Group |access-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012003344/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/operation-dhritrashtra-how-we-did-it/1/224349.html |archive-date=12 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }} was an investigation conducted by TV news channel Aaj Tak which alleged financial misappropriation by the trust. The investigation conducted by Deepak Sharma,{{cite news|title=Deepak Sharma|url=http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/live-chat-with-aajtak-anchor-deepak-sharma-1-24268.html|location=New Delhi|work=Aaj Tak News|access-date=14 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601142201/http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/live-chat-with-aajtak-anchor-deepak-sharma-1-24268.html|archive-date=1 June 2013|df=dmy-all}} Editor, SIT, India Today Group, revealed that it forged signatures and stamps of senior officials of several districts in Uttar Pradesh.{{cite news |title=Operation Dhritrashtra: NGO headed by Union Minister Salman Khurshid's wife comes under scanner for 'forgery' |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ngo-headed-by-salman-khurshids-wife-comes-under-scanner-for-forgery/1/224142.html |location=New Delhi |work=India Today Group |access-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010231932/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ngo-headed-by-salman-khurshids-wife-comes-under-scanner-for-forgery/1/224142.html |archive-date=10 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/operation-dhritrashtra-why-india-today-group-stands-by-its-story/1/226987.html |title=North India Headlines - News Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP - India Today |access-date=2013-05-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518054903/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/operation-dhritrashtra-why-india-today-group-stands-by-its-story/1/226987.html |archive-date=18 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }} Aaj Tak gathered documentary evidence of the alleged forgery and false reporting from at least ten districts in the state. The Uttar Pradesh Economic offence wing{{cite web |url=http://uppolice.up.nic.in/eow.html |title=Eow |access-date=2013-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502083204/http://uppolice.up.nic.in/eow.html |archive-date=2 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }} investigated the matter.{{cite news |author=Ashish Tripathi|title=Salman Khurshid Trust case|location= TNN|access-date= 16 January 2013|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Salman-Khurshid-Trust-case-HC-seeks-inquiry-report-from-Economic-Offences-Wing/articleshow/18048796.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629122458/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-16/india/36373339_1_pil-zakir-hussain-trust-government-through-principal-secretary|url-status=live|work=The Times of India|archive-date=29 June 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-01/news/36684457_1_basis-of-primary-investigation-high-court-notice-zakir-hussain-memorial-trust |title=Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News |access-date=2013-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322200202/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-01/news/36684457_1_basis-of-primary-investigation-high-court-notice-zakir-hussain-memorial-trust |archive-date=22 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/hc-notice-to-salman-khurshid-run-trust_826427.html |title=HC notice to Salman Khurshid-run Trust |date=February 2013 |access-date=2013-05-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210954/http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/hc-notice-to-salman-khurshid-run-trust_826427.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|title=UP: HC notice to Salman Khurshid-run Trust|author=PTI|location=Lucknow|access-date=2 Feb 2013|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/UP-up-hc-notice-to-salman-khurshid-run-trust-4166509-NOR.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322194754/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/UP-up-hc-notice-to-salman-khurshid-run-trust-4166509-NOR.html |archive-date=22 March 2014|df=dmy-all}} Louise filed a defamation case against the TV Today news broadcaster, which had publicised the allegations.{{cite news|title=Govt mulls action against Zakir Hussain Trust|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Lucknow/Govt-mulls-action-against-Zakir-Hussain-Trust/Article1-943972.aspx|access-date=15 October 2012|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=15 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014085621/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Lucknow/Govt-mulls-action-against-Zakir-Hussain-Trust/Article1-943972.aspx|archive-date=14 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}