Messages on GM Banatwala’s death
Submitted by kashif on 26 June 2008 - 9:19pm.
By TwoCircles.net news desk
Veteran politician and educationist G.M. Banatwala, president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), died here Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 74, an aide said.
A widower, his wife had died a few years ago. The couple had no children. He considered his three brothers and their children as his family.
A firebrand orator and an intellectual, the IUML leader represented Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency of Malappuram district in Kerala for seven terms.
A teacher by profession, Banatwala was first elected to the Maharashtra assembly in 1967. He remained a member for 10 long years before getting elected to the Lok Sabha in the 1977 general elections.
He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha six more times -- in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1996, 1998 and 1999. During his term as an MP, Banatwala was a member of several parliamentary committees.
A prolific writer in English and Urdu, Banatwala wrote and spoke extensively on issues concerning the minorities and parliamentary history.
GM Banatwala in Chennai, just days before his death
President of India
The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has condoled the passing away of Shri. G.M. Banatwala.
In a condolence message from Mumbai where she is currently on a visit, the President has said " Shri Banatwala was an eminent statesman who stood by the under privileged. His popularity was reflected in his being elected a Member of Parliament for seven times."
Vice President
The Vice President of India, Shri Mohd Hamid Ansari has deeply condoled the death of Shri G.M. Banatwala, President of Indian Union Muslim League and former Member of Parliament. Following is the text of his message:
“I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Mr. G.M. Banatwala, President of Indian Union Muslim League and former Member of Parliament.
Mr. Banatwala had a glorious record of service to the country and the people during his many years in public life. He always championed the cause of the poor and the downtrodden. He undertook important policy initiatives for the welfare of the people and earned their admiration for his dedication, sense of public service and honesty. In his death, the country has lost a prominent personality who was always sensitive to the social concerns of our times.
My heart felt condolences to the member of the bereaved family and the wide circle of his admirers and friends. May Almighty grant them the strength to withstand this tragedy.”
Union Minister for Water Resources
Prof. Saifuddin Soz, the Union Minister for Water Resources has expressed his profound grief over the passing away of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) President Shri Ghulam Mahmood Banatwala.
In his condolence message, Prof. Soz said that Shri Banatwala was amongst the tall leaders who had worked consistently for the social and economic uplift of the Muslims and other backward classes. He was a gifted orator and it was always interesting to listen his speeches in Parliament. Shri Banatwala argued his case vociferously and always made his point successfully. His speeches in Parliament and elsewhere would always be remembered with respect. The country would be poorer by his demise, Prof. Soz said.
AUDF
Banathwala’s demise is great lose for the nation Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Al-Qasmi, president Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), Assam State Jami’at Ulama-e Hind and Markazul Ma’arif (NGO) mourns on demise of Ghulam Mahmood Banatwala, the president of Indian Union Muslim League. He expressed in press release that the late “Banatwala was an exceptional personality.” He said, though the Muslim community and the nation are shocked due to his demise on June 25, 2008 CE, yet his role in the social and political development of Muslims will ever keep us inspiring and enlightening.
Ghulam Mahmood Banatwala represented Muslim community in the assembly and the parliament from 1967. He has been relentlessly working for the Muslim causes which include issues like Babri Masjid, Muslim Personal Law, Jamia Millia &Aligarh Muslim Universities, and for the cause of women empowerment in India. “His recent demand for 10 per cent reservation for Muslims in India should remain a beacon for other politicians and social workers,” Maulana Ajmal says.
He represented Muslims in the Parliament seven times. He would invite and discuss with other MPs about Muslim problems and would request them for genuine solutions, added Maulana Ajmal. His speeches in the Parliament have been published; we need to propagate his splendid idealism and remarkable nationalism to keep his memory ever alive. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal observed, ‘he was a great politicians, we lost an experienced leader.’
May Allah grant him paradise and provide us with a better alternative, prayed the AUDF leader.
AIMMM
The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM) President Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan has issued the following statement:
' The sad demise of IUML President Ghulam Muhammad Banatwala is a loss for all Indians, especially for the Indian Muslim community which has lost a brilliant, forceful and committed advocate and defender of minority rights and rule of law in the country. As a tall political leader and longest-serving parliamentarian, Banatwala fearlessly served his country and community and tirelessly spoke for justice and human rights.
It was painful for the Indian Muslim community that Banatwala, who had won Lok Sabha elections for a record seven terms from Ponnani in Kerala, was not allowed to contest the last general elections by his own party despite the fact that he was keeping good health and enjoyed a sharp brain until he breathed his last yesterday. He was arguably one of the best orators produced by the Muslim community after Partition. He had no match as a humble, principled and dignified human being.
Dr Khan conveyed his heartfelt condolences to every Indian, especially every Indian Muslim, on this historic loss and hoped that Banatwala’s ideals and memories will keep inspiring us to continue our struggle against the forces of injustice and bigotry.
Jamaat-e-Islami
Mr Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the President of Indian Union Muslim League and veteran Parliamentarian Ghulam Mohammed Bannatwala. He died today in the after noon in Mumbai after a brief illness.
Secretary General condoled to the kin of Bannatwala immediately after getting learnt about the incident and paid tribute to him for his political, social and community's services. "He was the bold leader of Muslim community and always boldly and forcefully raised the issues of Muslims' and downtrodden sections of the country in the parliament," Mr Nusrat Ali said.
Aligarh Muslim University
Professor P.K.Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University has deeply condoled the death of the President of Indian Union Muslim League, Mr. G.M.Banatwala.
Expressing deep sorrow over his sad demise, Professor Azis said that Mr Banatwala has played a pivotal role in restoring the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University. A seven -time Lok Sabha MP from Kerala Mr Banawatwala made it a point to espouse the cause of the Muslims.
In his condolence message, Professor Azis said that Mr Banatwala had always taken a keen interest in the affairs of AMU and was the member of the University Court twice, the supreme governing body of the University. Mr Banatwala also presented a private member bill for restoration of minority
character of AMU.
Indian Muslim Welfare Association - Kuwait
Indian Muslim Welfare Association (IMWA) condoles the death of G. M. Banatwala, a Member of Indian Parliament who died on Wednesday, 25th June 2008 in Mumbai. Ghulam Mehmood Banatwala, the national president of a large political party Indian Union Muslim League was an intellectual of high reputation, an active politician who was elected for Indian parliament several times. Banatwala was known for his firebrand speeches and was a great visionary leader of the community.
Banatwala had been actively involved in value based politics till he breathed his last in Mumbai at the age of 74. He was very much concerned about the minority issues especially of Muslims. In parliament and outside, he was never hesitant to raise minority issues and had always spoken his heart. His loss is indeed irreparable.
IMWA offers deepest condolences to the bereaved family, his close people, and to the community in India and abroad. May Allah grant him a high station in Paradise and elegant steadfastness to his people on this great loss.
Issued on behalf of Executive Committee of IMWA by,
Iqbal Soofi
General Secretary
Indian Muslim Welfare Association - Kuwait
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He was an out and out orator and sinceare leader of Ummah
I cant be mum over the great loss of muslim intellectual of late Mr. G.M. Banatwala Sb., I was with him so many times during his speech in New Delhi in Ramlila Maidan over Invasion of Iraq and Gujarat Riot issue under the banner of Jmiat Ulema E Hind. He was an out and out orator and a very sincear human being. May Allah forgive him and place him in Jaannat Ul Firdaus Aameen.and sabre jameel to his family members and party members. His deathe is not only the loss of nation abut the loss of humanity too.
syed mohammad raghib
JNU
It was a shocking news
As a previous voter for Ghulam Mahmood Banatawala, the news of his demise was a very shocking one for me. He was not a mere politician but was very efficient leader with humble, able and noble personality. Many times, I was lucky to be in front of the huge audiences in Malappuram district of Kerala, as a listener for his firebrand English speech. His orations were echoed Indian parliament beautifully.
His great speeches turned to be the cause for resolving many problems faced by Indian Muslims and other minorities. What we are missing is Banatwala's intellectual leadership through which we had got teachings, warnings, safety, protection etc. We, voters from Ponnani constituency in Malappuram district of Kerala, were dynamically active during elections to sent Banatwala to Indian parliament with the highest majority of votes from Kerala. It was heard that last time he was abstaining himself from the election due to health related problems. Otherwise, we were ready to sent him to New Delhi for his eighth term in Indian Parliament. What matter makes my eyes wet is that a question: Is there any other Indian Muslim talented leader having ability of such a firebrand speech?
May Allah the Almighty bless him with forgiveness and mercy.
A great loss of Indian Community
Inna-Lillahe-Wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoon
This is a very sad news for Indian community in general and muslims of India in particular. At the same time its a great loss for AMU as (Late) Ghulam Mahmood Banatwala saheb had served in the AMU Court for many terms. GM Banatwala saheb was a very respected politician and his contributions in Indian political arena will always serve as a guidelines for the new politicians to come. He was a symbol of a new muslim league which was formed after partition of India or renamed after the partition of India. GM Banatwala had served as Secretary of Indian Muslim League during the rein of its President, (Late) Ibrahim Sulaiman Saith. In 1992, after the horrific event of Babri Masjid demolition, The Indian Muslim League divided into two groups, one headed by Ibrahim Sulaiman Seth and other by GM Banatwala.
Even though GM Banatwala was MP from Kerala but was very popular in muslims of India specially in Bombay. His role in Bombay/Bhiwandi riots of 1984 was remarable. It was Late Sunil Dutt and GM Banatwala who played a critical role to save the muslims of Bombay from the hands of rioters.
During my childhood, Indian Muslim League had just 2 names, one Sulaiman Seth, other GM Banatwala. Now both of them are not with us.
May Allah show his mercy on both of these leaders and also on all of us. These events should be a reminder for all of us that we all have to test the taste of death.
Abdul Mabood
Doha Qatar