Abdul Qaiyum Ansari (1 July 1905 – 18 January 1973) was a participant in the freedom struggle of India. He was known for his commitment to national integration, secularism and communal harmony. 

Qaiyum Ansari is considered to be one of the most popular icons of the Pasmanda movement. The Indian government has even issued a postal stamp in his name. 

Qaiyum Ansari was also the president of the Bihar Provincial Jamiat-ul-Momineen. He joined the freedom struggle during the Khilafat Movement when he came in contact with the Ali Brothers in Sasaram, Bihar. His “assertive” politics in the 1930s and the 1940s opposed the Muslim League and the two-nation theory.  

A few lesser-known facts about him are as below –  

• The tallest and most articulate leader of the All India Momin Conference. The Momin Conference was one of the key organizations during the first wave of Pasmada Movement (1920-1947) 
• A notable freedom fighter who actively worked to eradicate caste-based discrimination among Indian Muslims. 
• Opposed the Two-Nation Theory and Partition of India endorsed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Muslim League  
• Contested both “Hindu” and “Muslim” communalism throughout his political career. 
• Challenged the claim of the Muslim League to represent all the Muslims of India. Exposed the Muslim League as an organization of the savarna-ashraf Muslims and mobilized subordinated Muslim caste groups against it. 
• Worked tirelessly for the economic, educational and social welfare of the artisan and other backward communities. 
• Was the member of the first All India Backward Classes Commission set up by the Government of India. 

Read more about Abdul Qaiyum Ansari and Pasmanda movement from here.