'He was street-smart and dildar': Neighbours recall fond memories of 'Bandra boy' Baba Siddiqui

MUMBAI: Some of the residents, neighbours, and friends who knew Baba Siddiqui for years said he was the street-smart "Bandra boy," the go-getter with a heart of gold. They said Siddiqui would help everyone who approached him.
Pali Hill resident and Congress functionary Asif Farooqui, who has known him since the days Siddiqui helped his father, Abdul Rahim Siddiqui, in social works, said, "His father would create a temporary facility for namaz in Ramzan at his building, and I remember Baba helping his father. He would ride a scooter and get civic and other works done. That's how he got early exposure in social works. Later, he learnt the ropes under the tutelage of Actor-MP Sunil Dutt Sahab."
Educationist and former MP Akhtar Hasan Rizvi, who knew Siddiqui since the days the latter was in the Youth Congress, called him a "good organiser and secular person." "He was accessible to all and worked a lot to create a cadre of Congress in Bandra. His popularity transcended class and communities," said Rizvi.
'He was heart of Bandra's community and politics'
Social activist Mudassar Patel, who knew Siddiqui for decades, recalled, "Whenever I requested him to attend the Ramzan ration distribution programmes at Anjuman School in Bandra West or elsewhere, Baba would come. He would also contribute magnanimously," said Patel.
Madhu Poplai, Secretary of the Pali Hill Residents Association, who knew Siddiqui for over two decades, described him as a politician who rarely refused to help with civic issues. "He lived in the locality and had a deep understanding of its challenges. I vividly remember him standing with us on Nargis Dutt Road at 3 a.m. while it was being laid. That road lasted over 15 years. He never considered a person's political leanings when they approached him for help," said Poplai.
Much is being said about Siddiqui's annual iftar dinner, but Congress MLA Amin Patel said he would equally care for the poor too. "If he held iftar dinner for celebrities and other rich, he would sponsor iftar dinners for the poor too. He stood by the needy," said Patel.
Bandra resident and Anjuman-I-Islam President Dr Zahir Kazi, who knew Siddiqui since he was active in student politics, said, "He was street-smart and showed qualities to become a good politician from the beginning." Dr Kazi added that just three weeks ago, he met him at the airport where Siddiqui told him he wanted to set up an educational institution in his native Bihar as well as here.
Al Nasser Zakaria, son of former MLA Salim Zakaria, who helped Siddiqui become a corporator in the early 1990s, recalled that he was "dildar" (generous). "Nobody returned empty-handed from his home. He worked tirelessly during COVID," said Zakaria.