Sher-e-Poonch

Sher-e-Poonch Khwaja Ghulam Kadir Bandey was the son of great son of kashmiri revolutionist Khwaja Habib Joo Bandey.He was kind and affectionate towards the children.He used to pay visit to District Hospital Poonch and helped the needy and listen to their wailings. Crowned as Sher - E - Poonch for his love and attachment for his birth place and never succumbed before any pressure and stood as a rock against any injustice to the people.
Personal information

Sher-e- Poonch Khwaja Ghulam Qadir Bandey (1910-1990) was the son of a well-known Kashmiri revolutionary Khwaja Habib Joo Bandey. He joined the freedom movement at a very young age and later in 1929 became the founding father of "Poonch Young Muslim Federation" jailed for the first time at the tender age of 9. Fought the first election in 1935 and was elected the Municipal Comissioner of Poonch. Kh G Q Bandey was a celebrated statesman and a respected political figure of J&K who remained committed to the freedom movement since 1931. He was jailed many times during Dogra rule from 1931 to 1947. He was one of the founder member of National Conference and close associate of Sher -e- Kashmir-Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. In 1933 there was a huge public rally at Mujahid Manzil(Srinagar)where the first flag of state political party had to be unfurled, Kh. Ghulam Qadir Bandey was asked by all the leaders to unfurl the flag as he had come with maximum number of delegates from Poonch to Srinagar to attend the Historical function.He was also the member of the working committee of All Jammu Kashmir National Conference from 1939-1953.
Unique political leader who remained in POK jail along with his family from November 1947 to January 1949 for opposing the two nation theory and resisting the invaders at Poonch in 1947. While in POK jail at Palandri he helped Indian inmates by fasting unto death for their release and made sure they were released and given a safe passage to India. Amongst them were Sardar Teja Singh (Ex Additional Chief Sec of State). Bandey Sb. was offered the life time Presidentship of POK by Pakistani rulers while in POK jail but refused as he wanted a permanent political solution to Jammu and Kashmir that included unification of both Kashmirs.
Repatriated in an exchange of political detainees, he returned to India with his family via Suchetgarh (R.S. Pura) and the late Ghulam Mustafa Masoodi, the elder brother of Moulana Mohammad Sayeed Masoodi, and also the then governor of Gilgit the late Brig Gansara Singh.
He served as the Chief Administrative Officer, Poonch, in 1949-1950 and later as the Labour commissioner of J&K till his resignation in 1962.
Served his people by touring the war ravaged border located villages during 1965 and 71 wars in Poonch and Mendhar. He saw to it that people dont get panicked and were not harmed by forces. Set up rehabilitation camps at Islamia High School Parade Poonch and other places where needy people were provided with food and clothes.
A champion of Hindu-Muslim unity, Khwaja lived a simple life and always worked for the upliftment of the needy and the down-trodden people.
Popularly known as the Sher-e-Poonch for his love and deep attachment to his birth place and its people, he never succumbed to any pressure and stood as a rock against any injustice to the people. He was jailed even in post independent period for his bold stand against the injustice of the popular rulers
Awards
* Awarded with Tambhra Patar.(Refused pension and other benefits as he said it was his duty to fight for his people and did not need any money/benifits for it)
* Awarded with Dogra Ratan Award in 2006.
Personal Interests

Other than Politics Kh Ghulam Qadir Bandey had great love and affection for children and used to distribute sweets amongst them. It was his daily routine to visit Distt Hospital Poonch and see all indoor patients and see to it they were given proper treatment and care.
Family
Late Khatija Begum (Wife)
Mr.Farooq Ahmed Bandey - Retd. S.E (Hyd. Circle) Poonch, (Son)
Mr.Ajaz Ul Hassan Bandey - CEO Tourism Development Authority, Poonch (Son)
Mr. Imtiaz Ali Bandey - District President of Peoples Democratic Party, Poonch, Lawyer and Businessman (Son)

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu