PFI former chairman K M Shareef no more

MangaIuru, Dec 22: K M Shareef, former chairman of Popular Front of India, passed away today at a private hospital in the city following a few weeks of illness. He was 56.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the sad demise of K.M.Shareef Saheb, NEC Member of Popular Front. KM Shareef saheb was also former Chairman of Popular Front. His demise is a great loss to the community and the organization,” announced Anis Ahmed, General Secretary of PFI.

It is learnt that Shareef was undergoing treatment for diabetes, blood pressure and lung related disease for past few weeks. He breathed his last Tuesday afternoon.

Kaikamba Mohammad (K M) Shareef was born on September 1, 1964 to late Islamic cleric Mittabail Abdul Haji and Nafeesa couple in Dakshina Kannada district. He had developed interest in social activism since his student days.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the Mangalore University. He was also a disciple of religious scholar Mittabail Jabbar Ustad.

After completing education, he had worked in the Middle East for a few years. Later he returned to his homeland and started a Xerox shop in Mangaluru.

Gradually he completely dedicated his life to social causes and became the Karnataka state president of Karnataka Forum for Dignity, an organisation which was later merged into PFI. He had played a key role in the formation of PFI’s political wing Social Democratic Party of India.

K M Shareef also had led a campaign against social evils like dowry system in coastal Karnataka.

He is survived by his wife Fatima, daughter of C H Umar from Uppinangady, three sons, three daughters and a large number of relatives, friends well-wishers and fans.