Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — As the Gulberg society massacre completed 23rd year on 28 February, family members and noted social activists remembered the struggle of Zakia Jafri for justice for her husband, who was burnt alive during 2002 Gujarat carnage.
Congress MP and husband of Zakia Jafri, Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people massacred at the Gulberg society. Thirty-five of them were burnt alive by the rioters during the carnage which had swept Gujarat killing over a thousand people.
Addressing a press conference held at the Press Club of India in New Delhi on Thursday, Tanvir Jafri, son of Ehsan Jafri, recounted how his father was killed and his mother’s hope for justice was dashed in the court.
“We got disappointment from the Supreme Court. But anyone in future can analyze and read our documents and evidences submitted to the courts can understand who had carried out and played a role in these riots. A time will come when people will draw their own conclusion. We have got disappointment now but time will provide justice to us,” said Tanvir addressing the media persons.
Tanvir stated that following the killing of his father, his mother had little hope that the culprits who had killed Ehsan will receive punishment from the court. As more information came out about the riots, they got to know that the riots did not erupt but it was conspired to carry out these riots.
Then, his mother filed petitions in the courts stating that the state government including then chief minister Narendra Modi had played a role in these riots. But her petitions were rejected by the lower, the high court and the Supreme Court.
“My mother Zakia Jafri was the biggest strength for the witnesses of all these cases. Whenever my mother used to meet these witnesses, she used to pacify them that some judgement will come in their favor,” said Tanvir.
On 1st February this year, Zakia Jafari passed away at 86.
Tanvir also recounted how his father was killed at the Gulberg society. Tanvir was in Surat at the time of the violence. He had received a call from his mother informing about his father’s missing following the massacre at the society. Zakia had hope that Ehsan will come back after going missing. But later, they came to know that his father was also killed along with 69 people.
Tanvir also recalled what happened when his father had called then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for help as huge mob were outside his house. He cited the witnesses to say that Modi had said were you not killed so far.
Recalling Ehsan Jafri’s faith in the Indian secularism, eminent activist and former IAS officer Harsh Mander said that Jafri had been asked by some people to live in Muslim dominated areas due to the history of communal violence in the state. However, he had refused to live in the Muslim dominated areas saying that if he is not safe in Hindu-dominated area, what he stands for does not make sense.
“Therefore, he had insisted to live in the Hindu dominated area. But he got a kind of reply after his killing. Many people were living in the Hindu dominated area around him seeing Jafri’s house in the area,” said Mander.
Mander also lauded Zakia Jafri for the battle he had fought for justice despite knowing that she will not win in this battle.
“She used to say that although she will not get justice, it will be record of what happened. Future generation will get to know about it,” he said.
Another activist John Dayal mentioned the efforts of Ehsan Jafri calling senior officials and the police seeking help from them. But no one came out to rescue and help them. Dayal believes that all those who got a call for help but didn’t respond are legally and morally responsible for the carnage.
Dayal pointed out that the similar thing happened during 2020 Delhi riots when the victims kept calling the police seeking help. But no one received their call.
Former Lok Sabha MP Danish Ali lauded Zakia Jafri for waging battle for justice calling her fight not less than Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshami Bai.
“Her battle inspire us that we must not bow down to injustices. This is the resolve we get from this meet that we will continue our battle against all kind of injustice,” he said.
