India, Nov. 1 -- In the 1980s and the 1990s, Azam Khan was often compared with Bollywood stars of yesteryears for his powerful dialogue delivery, laced with sarcasm and fury.

A polarising figure, he could hold his audience, even those who did not conform to his line of politics, spellbound as he often punctuated his remarks with Urdu couplets.

Released from jail on September 23 after spending 23 months behind bars, Azam Khan (77) made emotional statements that mirrored his anguish and his sarcasm: "I am an accused. I stole buffalo, hens, books, furniture, my wife and I stole liquor bottles" and "when my wife sat alone crying on Eid, did anyone call?"

His comments reminded many of the days when the UP police had launched a drive to find...