HYDERABAD: In the late 19th century, the Nizams brought the Yemenis to the city and they settled mainly in the Chandrayangutta and Barkas areas of the Old City. Their descendants later came to be known as Chaush, gained in prominence in the Old City, excelling both in sports like bodybuilding and wrestling as well as politics.
Congress’ decision to allot the Chandrayangutta ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections to former Mr Universe finalist Esa Bin Obaid Misri indicates the ever growing status of this ‘Chaush’ community. Muscleman Misri, in his maiden foray into politics on a Congress ticket, will be taking on All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen heavyweight and four-time MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.
In a chat with Express, Misri reiterated Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s promise of making Chandrayangutta “MIM-mukt”.
“The people of this constituency want peace from the communal colour that has been painted in all these years. I assure to give them that,” the silver medalist at the 2016 Mr Universe championship said. Forty-nine-year-old Misri, who has an active social media presence with a Facebook page over 35000 likes, is known to have a strong connection with Middle Eastern nations — a reason which has been cited behind him securing the ticket. That connection comes from his ancestors who were brought in from Yemen by the Nizam at least 100 years back. “I was born over here, grew up in the city around Shahalibanda,” Misri, who completed his SSC before taking full-time wrestling and turning a professional bodybuilder, said.
No ‘pahelwans’ connection
However, Misri was quick to dismiss the notion that he had anything to do with the “Pahelwans” of Old City.
“I have connections to pahelwans through sports but when it comes to politics or crime, I am nowhere related to the Pahelwans.”
The “Pahelwans” in question refer to those like Mohammad Pahelwan whose names over the years have retained the identity of the sport but do not indicate their occupation.
Mohammed Bin Omer Yafai alias Mohammad Pahelwan was allegedly the mastermind behind the attack on MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi in 2011.
Like Misri, these Pahelwans are also of Yemeni descent and were part of Nizam’s unofficial army and were also used as royal guards. They used to be revered, however, their decline started soon after Independence. In fact many descendants were asked to return by the then government. It was only in the 70s that Pahelwans came into prominence when Arab pahelwans Syeed Bin Ali and Syeed Baam were employed by the Congress to provide protection to a leader.
Since then their importance grew, with almost all parties -- including MIM for a long time -- seeking their services.
They were called in for settling land disputes, and by the 2000s they were dictating who could buy or sell land in the area. One needed to have a pahelwan's permission to buy and sell property, a report said.
They also ran chit funds and extended loans at arbitrary interest rates. It was during the time leading to the attack on Akbaruddin in 2011 and after the indictments of a few family members in the case, that their hold, sources claim, weakened.
However, it it is understandable why Congress candidate Misri, wants no part of the "Pahelwan" tag against him in the upcoming elections.