J.S. Bandukwala
J.S. Bandukwala | |
|---|---|
 Manmohan Singh, ex-Prime Minister of India awarding J.S. Bandukwala the Indira Gandhi award for national integration for 2006 | |
| Born | March 27, 1945 Bombay (now Mumbai) |
| Died | January 29, 2022 (aged 76) Vadodara |
| Occupation | taught physics at the M S University of Baroda |
| Known for | spreading the education among Muslims |
J.S. Bandukwala (27 March 1945 – 29 January 2022) was an Indian human rights activist.
Early life and education
Juzar Saleh (J.S.) Bandukwala was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 27 March 1945. He obtained a degree in physics from Bombay University before completing his doctoral studies in nuclear physics from the University of Oklahoma in the United States.
Career
Bandukwala taught physics at the M S University of Baroda and was elected president of its teachers' union in 1981.[1]
He was vocal about the rights of marginalized groups. He worked tirelessly against the ghettoization of Muslims which included fighting against the displacement of Kalyannagar slum communities. He had led a struggle for their rehabilitation since 2015.[2]
His house was burnt down during the 2002 communal violence in Gujarat.[2]
Bandukwala also devoted his life to spreading the education among Muslims. He created and was the lifetime president of the Zidni Ilma Charitable Trust.[3] Through this trust he raised money to fund the education of 400 underprivileged children every year.[4]
He was an active member of the People’s Union of Civil Liberties.[1]
He was presented with the Indira Gandhi award for national integration for 2006 by then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.[5]
Death
Bandukwala died on 29 January 2022, aged 77, in Vadodara. He was survived by a son and daughter, who are both settled in the United States.[4] His funeral service took place at the Kalyannagar mosque in Vadodara.[4]
Legacy
The Zidni Ilma Charitable Trust opened a Library cum Reading room in memory of Bandukwala in the old city area of Vadodara.[6]
References
- 1 2 Desai, Nachiketa (29 January 2022). "Prof JS Bandukwala: The physicist, activist who tirelessly fought against ghettoization of Muslims". National Herald. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Rights Activist J.S. Bandukwala, Who Fought Against Ghettoisation in Gujarat, Passes Away". The Wire. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Trustees & Members - zidniilma.in". 15 June 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Noted Human Rights Activist Prof JS Bandukwala Passes Away". IndiaTomorrow. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Indira Gandhi Award". photogallery.indiatimes.com. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ Hussain, Mohammed (4 January 2026). "Zidni Ilma Charitable Trust's Post". Retrieved 4 January 2026.