On Eid Al-Adha, these Muslims give blood, sign resolution to donate bodies after death

Starting a new initiative this year, the MSM, at a programme held in the Rashtra Seva Dal premises, appealed to Muslims to not only donate blood but also sign resolutions to donate their organs and bodies after death.

4 min readPuneUpdated: Jun 18, 2024 08:25 AM IST

For the last 15 years, the MSM has held blood donation camps on Eid Al-Adha, appealing to Muslims to donate blood instead of sacrificing animals. (Express Photo by Chandan Haygunde)

In Pune, a group of Muslims celebrated Eid Al-Adha on Monday in a unique way by signing resolutions to donate their organs and bodies after death.

Their gesture came in response to an appeal made by the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal (MSM) — founded by noted social reformer Hamid Dalwai on March 22, 1970 for the development of modern scientific approaches, promoting democratic values and nationalism in the Muslim community.

For the last 15 years, the MSM has held blood donation camps on Eid Al-Adha, appealing to Muslims to donate blood instead of sacrificing animals.

Starting a new initiative this year, the MSM, at a programme held in the Rashtra Seva Dal premises, appealed to Muslims to not only donate blood but also sign resolutions to donate their organs and bodies after death.

Shrirupa Bagwan signing a resolution to donate her organs and body after death at the Bakri Eid program organised by the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal in Pune (Express Photo by Chandan Haygunde)

Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), founded by slain rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar, supported the cause. Animal rights activist Dr Kalyan Gangwal was among those present at the event.

Professor Shamshuddin Tamboli, president of MSM, said that the real meaning of “Qurbani (sacrifice)” is sacrificing for society. “There are superstitions associated with the ongoing practice of animal sacrifice on Eid Al-Adha. To spread scientific approach and humanity, we have been appealing to Muslims as well as persons from all communities to come together to celebrate the festival in a real sense by donating blood, which will save human lives,” he said.

Tamboli mentioned that MSM’s first blood donation camp on Eid Al-Adha was held in the presence of Dr Dabholkar, in which less than 25 persons donated blood. “But now people across different districts of Maharashtra and even in other states conduct similar blood donations to celebrate Eid Al-Adha,” he said.

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“Going a step further, this year we appealed to people to donate their organs and bodies after death. This kind of an Eid celebration also promotes communal harmony and removes misconceptions about Muslims. The response was good. While 34 persons donated blood, about 30, of whom nearly 20 were Muslims, signed resolutions to donate their organs and bodies. Further procedures will be carried out with the help of government run Sassoon Hospital,” Tamboli said.

Nisar Sikandar Bagwan of Baramati, father of a triple talaq victim, donating blood at the Bakri Eid program of Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal in Pune (Express Photo by Chandan Haygunde)

After signing a resolution to donate his body and organs, Altaphusen Ramjan Nabab, a Mechanical engineer and an office bearer of MSM said, “The percentage of Muslims donating their oorgans and bodies is low. Islam certainly allows a Muslim to help in saving someone else’s life. Hence, on the occasion of Bakri Eid, we are asking Muslims to come forward and donate. We have to progress by accepting a scientific approach.”

Shrirupa Bagwan said she was feeling happy after donating blood and signing a resolution to doante her body. “I have been working with the MSM for the last few years and look after the women’s wing,” she said.

MSM is known for its struggle for the rights of Muslim women. Protesting against triple talaq, polygamy and halal, MSM founder Hamid Dalwai and seven Muslim women had in April 18, 1966 organised a historic march to Mantralaya in Mumbai.

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Nisar Sikandar Bagwan of Baramati, the father of a triple talaq victim, joined MSM’s Eid Al-Adha programme and donated blood On Monday. His daughter had faced a triple talaq when she was just 18 years old. She came in contact with MSM and then completed her degree in law from a college in Pune. “I have been donating blood at MSM’s Eid Al-Adha programme for the last eight years,“ Nisar told The Indian Express.

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

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