Widow of Ehsan Jafri, Killed in the 2002 Gujarat Riots, Passes Away at 86; Her Decades-Long Struggle for Accountability Mourned Nationwide
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was brutally killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. She breathed her last at her daughter Nishrin’s residence in Ahmedabad.
Her son, Tanveer Jafri, confirmed her death, his voice heavy with grief, “My mother had gone to my sister’s house in Ahmedabad. She was doing her morning routine and talking to her family when she suddenly felt uneasy. She mentioned her discomfort, and doctors were called immediately. The doctor declared her dead at around 11:30 am.”
Zakia Jafri’s death has left a profound void in the hearts of human rights activists, social workers, and countless others who admired her relentless pursuit of justice. For nearly two decades, she waged a tireless legal battle to hold accountable those responsible for the massacre at Gulberg Society, where her husband and 68 others were mercilessly killed by a Hindutva mob. Her struggle became a beacon of resilience and hope for victims of communal violence across the nation. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with many remembering her as a symbol of courage who stood tall against the mightiest of adversaries.
A Life Defined by Courage and Unyielding Struggle
Ehsan Jafri, a former MP, was among those killed in the Gulberg Society massacre during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The incident remains one of the darkest chapters in India’s history, with over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, losing their lives in the violence. Zakia Jafri’s fight for justice began in 2006 when she filed a complaint seeking an investigation into the alleged role of high-ranking officials, including then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in the riots.
Her legal battle gained momentum in 2008 when the Supreme Court ordered a re-investigation into nine major riot cases, including the Gulberg Society massacre. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe Zakia’s complaint. However, in 2012, the SIT gave a clean chit to Modi and others, a decision that Zakia challenged in court.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, including the dismissal of her plea by a magistrate and the Gujarat High Court, Zakia Jafri remained steadfast. In 2018, she approached the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the SIT’s clean chit in June 2022. The court’s decision was a crushing blow to her decades-long fight, but it did not diminish her legacy as a symbol of courage and determination.
Tributes Pour In for the ‘Iron Lady of India’
Zakia Jafri’s passing has evoked an outpouring of grief from human rights activists, political leaders, and those who admired her courage and perseverance. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with many remembering her as a symbol of resilience who stood tall against powerful forces.
Renowned social worker and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad paid tribute to her, writing on Twitter, “Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of the human rights community, passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by the nation, family, friends, and the world! Tanveer Bhai, Nishrin, Duraiya Appa, grandkids—we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace, Zakia Appa!”
Asaduddin Owaisi, President of AIMIM, also expressed his sorrow, stating, “Zakia Jafri watched her husband being murdered by a mob in 2002. For nearly two decades, she fought a lonely legal battle against some of India’s most powerful men, never showing fear. She passed away today. May Allah grant her peace and strength to her loved ones.”
Prominent human rights advocate Ovais Sultan Khan called her “the Iron Lady of India,” saying, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Zakia Jafri Sahiba, the Iron Lady of India, has passed away. She was an indomitable spirit & a true icon of resilience. Her unwavering fight for justice will forever be etched in our memories. We have lost a true leader & inspiration.”
Academician and author Angana P. Chatterji also acknowledged Zakia’s unparalleled perseverance, stating, “The enormity of her courage, determination, love, and grace, and her struggle for justice. May her legacy live!”
The Gulberg Society Massacre: A Heartbreaking Tragedy
Ehsan Jafri, a former Congress MP, was among the 69 people killed in the horrific attack on Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on 28 February 2002. Despite making frantic calls to police officials and political leaders, no help arrived. Jafri was dragged out of his home, brutally tortured, and murdered by a violent Hindutva mob.
Zakia Jafri’s case sought accountability not just for her husband’s murder but for what she described as a “larger conspiracy” behind the riots, where thousands of Muslims were killed and displaced. While the state machinery repeatedly failed her, Zakia remained steadfast, refusing to be intimidated despite threats and legal obstacles. Her case became a symbol of the broader struggle for justice for Gujarat riot victims.
Unwavering Resilience in the Face of Injustice
Even after her passing, some individuals have taken to social media to mock and celebrate her death, exposing the deep-rooted communal divide and the growing intolerance in the country. Such acts have been widely condemned as reflecting moral and ethical bankruptcy.
Despite the setbacks, Zakia Jafri’s legacy remains untarnished. Her unwavering spirit has inspired countless activists, lawyers, and citizens who continue to seek justice for the victims of communal violence in India.
As Teesta Setalvad aptly put it, “Her legacy will live on in every fight for justice, in every voice raised against oppression. Zakia Appa’s journey may have ended, but her battle is far from over.”
A Fight That Lives On
Zakia Jafri’s death marks the end of a personal battle, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Her fight for justice was not just about her husband or the Gulberg Society massacre; it was a fight for the soul of India’s democracy.
As the nation mourns her passing, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for truth and justice, no matter how daunting the odds. Zakia Jafri may have left this world, but her indomitable spirit will live on in the hearts of those who believe in a just and equitable society.