GM Banatwala passes away

{image-gm banatwala_25062008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Mumbai, June 25: Muslim League All India President GM Banatwala passed away at his Mumbai residence today afternoon following a heart stroke. He was 74.

Banatwala's wife died few years ago. He had no children. Teacher, scholar and educationist, G M Banatwala represented not just the Indian Muslim League but an older, wiser age of Indian politics, serving seven terms as a Member of Parliament from Kerala. Author of four books, Banatwala"s interests include issues relating to law, parliamentary history and minorities.Banatwala was an active spokesman for India"s secularist tradition. Ismail Banatwala, his nephew said that he lived with his brothers after the death of his wife. Ismail said his uncle had attended the platinum jubilee celebration of Indian Union Muslim League in Chennai last Saturday. "When he returned home early this week, he felt uneasy, restless and feverish. This morning he had breakfast with all of us. At about 2.30 pm, he experienced uneasiness and breathed his last on way to hospital," Ismail said.

The mortal remains of Banatwala will be brought to his Agripada home in south Mumbai later in the day. The funeral is expected to take place in the night as many of his colleagues from Kerala are expected to attend it.

OneIndia News