THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, January 12: Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, a close associate of UP MP Chandrashekhar Azad and a prominent figure of the Azad Samaj Party in Palamu, on Sunday distributed blankets among widows, destitute persons, the disabled, and economically weak families struggling to cope with the winter cold.
A popular builder and civil society activist, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, carried out the blanket distribution through a grassroots network of the Bhim Army and the Azad Samaj Party across the Panki Assembly constituency.
Mumtaz Ahmad Khan is affiliated with the Azad Samaj Party led by Chandrashekhar Azad. He also contested the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) elections, emerging as a strong and visible contender.
Rare Winter Outreach by Minority Leader
Such large-scale winter relief initiatives by members of the minority community are rare in the region. While some individuals do donate blankets, organised distribution efforts are usually limited. Communities like Sikhs and Jains have little history of blanket or rug distribution among the poor in this area.
With civic body elections approaching, blanket distribution by prospective candidates has also been limited. Typically, winter relief materials come from the government’s social security department rather than private initiatives.
6,000 Blankets, No Donations Taken
Speaking to The Jharkhand Story Network, Mumtaz said his decision to distribute blankets was driven by genuine concern, not politics or publicity.
“This outreach is for people who were never approached by others and were left without blankets. I personally identified them,” he said.
He clarified that all 6,000 blankets were purchased using his own money and that no donations were collected.
“This is not party publicity. I spent my own earnings. It reflects my genuine concern for people suffering in winter,” Mumtaz added.
Strong Grassroots Network in Panki
Mumtaz’s association with the Azad Samaj Party and the Bhim Army gives him access to an extensive human network. The Panki Assembly constituency has 65 panchayats, all of which have party office bearers involved in identifying and reaching beneficiaries.
When asked about starting the initiative later than others, Mumtaz acknowledged the delay.
“I saw that earlier distributions were selective. So I focused on those hands that had not received any blanket,” he said.
Apart from providing winter relief, Mumtaz is also known for offering free tankers of drinking water every year during the Jhalkhandi Puja, a large Hindu religious ritual, which highlights his cross-community outreach.
Push for Degree College in Manatu
Beyond relief work, Mumtaz raised key development issues. He demanded the establishment of a degree college in Manatu, pointing out that while the local high school has been upgraded up to Class 12, higher education facilities are absent.
He urged the Vice-Chancellor of Nilamber Pitamber University to initiate the process for setting up a degree college in the area.
Health Gaps in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
On healthcare, Mumtaz highlighted the lack of anti-rabies vaccines at several Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, causing serious inconvenience to dog-bite victims.
He suggested that community health officers should be provided refrigerators to maintain the cold chain required for storing anti-rabies vaccines.
Raising concerns over unemployment, Mumtaz said Panki has only one skill training centre despite being a large constituency with four blocks.
“Skill training centres should be opened in every block, and trained youths must be given jobs. Only then will young people seriously take up skill training,” he said.
