Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the Gujarat riots in 2002, died at age of 86 in Ahmedabad on Saturday, following the age-related issues.
Zakia Jafri’s son Tanveer Jafri was quoted as saying by PTI, “My mother was visiting my sister’s house in Ahmedabad. She completed her daily morning routine and was talking normally with her family members when she complained of feeling uneasy. The doctor who was called in declared her dead at around 11:30 A.M”.
Zakia Jafri’s husband, Ehsan Jafri was killed, among 69 others, inside the Muslim-dominated Gulbarg society in Ahmedabad on 28 February, 2002. The violence erupted a day after the Sabarmati Express incident, in which the coaches of train were set on fire, near the Godhra railway station. A total of 59 ‘karsevaks’ returning from Ayodhya were killed in the incident that sparked state-wide riots.
The face of the fight for justice for the victims of the post-Godhra riots, Zakia Jafri, fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court to hold top leaders accountable for a larger conspiracy behind the riots.
Activist Teesta Setalvad, who supported Zakia’s legal battle in SC, condoled her demise.
Teesta Setalvad posted on X, “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!”.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIIMS) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi also mourned Zakia’s death, calling her a person who never showed fear.
Owaisi posted on X, “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”.
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