G. M. Banatwala

Summary

Gulam Mehmood Banatwalla (15 August 1933 – 25 June 2008), also spelled as Banatwala, was an Indian politician and social worker from Mumbai.[1][2] Banatwalla, a "firebrand orator" and intellectual, was regarded as the pan-India face of the Indian Muslim community.[3][4]

Gulam Mehmood Banatwalla
G. M. Banatwalla
Born(1933-08-15)15 August 1933
Died25 June 2008(2008-06-25) (aged 74)
EducationMCom
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Social worker
  • Politician
SpouseAyesha Banatwalla
Parents
  • Haji Noor Mohamed (father)
  • Ayesha (mother)

Banatwalla was born in Bombay, in then-British India, to Haji Noor Mohamed and Ayesha in a Cutchi Memon family.[1] He studied at Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics and S.T. College, Bombay.[1] He married Ayesha in February 1960.[1]

He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1967 (Umerkhadi, Bombay).[1] He later served seven terms in the Loksabha, from Ponnani in Kerala, between 1977 – 1989 and 1996 – 2004.[1][5] He also served as the national president of Indian Union Muslim League from 1993 to 2008.[1] He was a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.[1]

Banatwalla never spoke Malayalam and addressed the people of Kerala in English.[3][6] Banatwalla, aged 74, died on 25 June 2008. He had no children.[2][3]

Books by G. M. Banatwala edit

  • Religion and Politics in India
  • Muslim League
  • Azadi Ke Bad (in Urdu)

Banatwala also contributed numerous articles in various journals both in English and Urdu.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Banatwalla, Gulam Mehmood (Member BioProfile)". LokSabha (Official Website).
  2. ^ a b "G. M. Banatwala: Indian Muslim Leader". The Times. London. 22 July 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Press Trust of India (26 June 2008). "Muslim League Chief Banatwala Dies". The Times of India. Mumbai.
  4. ^ "IUML Leader Banatwala Dead". Arab News. Mumbai. 26 June 2008.
  5. ^ Kurudath, Anil (1 April 2019). "A Glimmer of Hope for LDF to Breach IUML Fort Ponnani". Malayala Manorama (English).
  6. ^ Kutty, K. Govindan (23 February 1998). "G. M. Banatwala". India Today.
  7. ^ "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194. Retrieved 10 April 2021.