Indian politician Syed Shahabuddin, an influential political figure for minority Indian Muslims, has died aged 82, BBC reports. 

The former diplomat was known for opposing the controversial demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque.

He served as an MP for three terms between 1979 and 1996, and also successfully campaigned to ban Salman Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses.

He died in hospital following a prolonged illness, local media said.

Syed Shahabuddin previously worked as an Indian Foreign Service officer and also led the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat - the country's top-level forum for Muslim organisations.

Mr Shahabuddin was also the head of the Babri Action Committee, an organisation dedicated to the preservation of a 16th Century mosque in Ayodhya.