From rice farming roots to one of India's wealthiest political figures
In short: Badruddin Ajmal has built an empire spanning perfume, theology, and politics. From his family's move to Mumbai in 1950 to his rise as a powerful leader in Assam, his influence reaches from local educational institutions to the global stage of influential Muslim leaders.
Born on 12 February 1950 to a Bengali Muslim family from Hojai, Assam, Badruddin Ajmal's trajectory was shaped by his father, Haji Ajmal Ali. In 1950, Haji Ajmal Ali moved to Mumbai to pursue success in the perfume industry using the oud plant, eventually establishing a brand that grew into a major name in the Middle East.
Ajmal's political power in Assam expanded notably following the Supreme Court's decision to nullify the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act. This led to his founding of the Assam United Democratic Front in 2005, which was later renamed the All India United Democratic Front in 2013. His political career includes serving as a Member of Parliament from the Dhubri constituency from 2009 to 2024, and winning the Binnakandi Assembly constituency in the 2026 Assam assembly elections.
Beyond politics, Ajmal is a prominent philanthropist and theologian. As CEO of the Ajmal Foundation, he has established 25 educational institutions, schools, and hospitals. He also serves as the managing trustee of the Haji Abdul Majid Memorial Public Trust and has held leadership roles within the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind for Assam. He holds master's degrees in Arabic and Theology from Darul Uloom Deoband, where he has also been the Shaikhul Hind Academy director since 1995.
Despite his influence, his career has been marked by controversy. He has faced criticism for polarizing statements regarding communal violence and for remarks regarding women that were described as sexist, for which he issued a video apology in February 2025. During the 2024 Indian general elections, he emerged as Assam's richest candidate, reporting assets worth over ₹ 155 crore.
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