In brief
Zakia Jafri, aged 86, passed away recently after a long battle for justice following her husband’s murder during the 2002 Gujarat riots. For two decades, she courageously sought accountability from government officials, especially targeting then-Gujarat leader Narendra Modi, highlighting her strength and resilience in advocating for victims' rights.
Zakia Jafri, renowned for her relentless pursuit of justice, died on February 2 at her daughter's home in Ahmedabad, India, at the age of 86. The tragic catalyst for her long fight stemmed from the brutal murder of her husband, Ehsan Jafri, during the 2002 sectarian riots in Gujarat, which saw the loss of over 1,000 lives, predominantly among the Muslim community.The riots erupted after a fatal train fire, sparking violent attacks against Muslims across the region. Jafri, who was a union leader and a former member of Parliament, was brutally killed as his family sought refuge from the chaos. For nearly 20 years, Zakia waged a legal battle against government officials, particularly Narendra Modi, who was the Gujarat leader at the time, accusing him of complicity in the violence.Teesta Setalvad, a human rights activist, described Jafri as the "mother of all survivors of 2002," underscoring the strength and dignity with which she carried her loss. Born on January 15, 1939, in Madhya Pradesh, Jafri had dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of the victims and ensuring the truth about the riots was acknowledged. Her passing marks the end of an era of resilience in the face of profound personal loss and injustice.
