The Indian Institute of Management–Ahmedabad (IIMA) is mourning the loss of Professor Jagdeep S. Chhokar, a respected academic, reformist, and avid bird watcher, who passed away on campus early Friday.
Professor Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), taught at IIMA for nearly two decades from 1985, mainly in Organisational Behaviour. Known for his calm demeanor and love for railways and transport safety, he also briefly served as IIMA dean (2001–02) and director in-charge in 2002.
His colleagues recall him as witty, approachable, and deeply engaged in both academic and social causes. Prof G. Raghuram noted his contributions to transport safety and his unique journey from railways to academia. Prof Vijay Sherry Chand remembered their shared passion for bird watching and described him as “a very caring person,” who often visited colleagues in times of need.
Beyond academia, Chhokar’s pursuit of electoral reforms reshaped public discourse. With ADR, he fought landmark Supreme Court cases, advancing the voter’s right to information. To strengthen his advocacy, he earned a law degree from Gujarat University in 2005, not to practice but to better engage with lawyers. His wife, Kiran, continues to serve as an ADR trustee.
Certified as an ornithologist by the Bombay Natural History Society in 2001, Chhokar also worked with Aajeevika Bureau post-retirement, focusing on migration issues.
For peers, students, and activists alike, Professor Chhokar leaves behind a legacy that blends scholarship, reform, and a love for nature.