Zakia Jafri, Survivor & Legal Crusader Of 2002 Gujarat Riots, Passes Away At 86

Ahmedabad: Zakia Jafri, the wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away on Saturday in Ahmedabad at the age of 86.

“My mother was staying with my sister, who had arrived from the US in January, at her home in Ahmedabad. After completing her morning routine and having breakfast, my mother began feeling unwell. She was resting in her bed, and when my sister called the doctor, he examined her and declared that she had passed away,” said Tanvir Jafri, Zakia Jafri’s son, told the HT over the phone.

“Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of the human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & world! Tanveer Bhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa!” social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was a co-complainant in Jafri’s protest petition in the Supreme Court, posted on X.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also condoled the demise of Zakia Jafri, calling her a person who never showed fear.

On the anniversaries of the 2022 Gujarat riots until 2023, Zakia would frequently visit the remains of her house in Gulberg Society, a muslim neighbourhood in Ahmedabad where Ehsan Jafri along with 68 persons were killed on February 28, 2002. She had also been the face of the struggle for justice for the victims of the post-Godhra riots since 2006 when she began a protracted legal battle against the Gujarat government.

In 2006, Zakia filed a complaint alleging that the police had failed to register a case against the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and other senior politicians regarding the violence.

In response to her demand for justice, the Supreme Court ordered a re-examination of the nine major riot cases, including the Gulberg Society case, by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which ultimately submitted a closing report in 2012.

In 2022, the Supreme Court, however, rejected her petition contesting the SIT’s clean chit to Modi and several others in the 2002 Gujarat riots.