G. M. Banatwala

Gulam Mehmood Banatwalla
G. M. Banatwalla
Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
In office
1972–1977
Preceded byEstablished
Succeeded byAbdulkadar Ibrahim Chorwadwala
ConstituencyUmarkhadi, Maharashtra
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1977–1989
Preceded byM. K. Krishnan
Succeeded byEbrahim Sulaiman Sait
ConstituencyPonnani, Kerala
In office
1996–1999
Preceded byEbrahim Sulaiman Sait
Succeeded byE. Ahamed
ConstituencyPonnani, Kerala
Personal details
Born(1933-08-15)15 August 1933
Died25 June 2008(2008-06-25) (aged 74)
PartyIndian Union Muslim League
SpouseAyesha Banatwalla
Parents
  • Haji Noor Mohamed (father)
  • Ayesha (mother)
EducationMCom
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Social worker
  • Politician

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]

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 (Umarkhadi, 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

  • 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

  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.