Zakia Jafri, who led relentless fight for justice in 2002 Gujarat riots, dies in Ahmedabad

Social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was co-complainant in Jafri's protest petition in the Supreme Court, in a post on X said, 'Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & world!'

Ahmedabad: Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ahsan Jahfri who was killed in Gulberg Society Massacre in 2002 post Godhra riots, passed away on Saturday in Ahmedabad.

She was 86 and was suffering from age-related ailments, sources close to her family said. She was buried at Saraspur graveyard, the same burial ground where her husband was laid to rest in 2002. The funeral was attended by immediate family members, friends and few media persons.

Mumbai-based activist Teesta Setalvad, who legally assisted Zakia since 2006 through her NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP), was among those who attended the last rites. Zakia is survived by her son Tanvi, who resides in Surat and daughter Nishrin who is based in the United States.

After the funeral Setalvad posted in a group, "It was salutary to be here in her now quietened presence as she (Zakia appa) was laid to rest at the Saraspur Kabrastan. Memories came flooding back as Tanveerbhai, Duraiappa, Nishrin, Nargis and Najid Hussain saab all of us together with Rafikbhai Suhel ji Fr Cedric …our whole valiant team bowed our heads in fond salute and bade her farewell…adieu Zakia appa."

In 2006, Zakia had filed a complaint seeking registration of FIR against then chief minister Narendra Modi and over 60 state functionaries alleging larger conspiracy behind the riots.

The Supreme Court appointed-Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigated her complaint and filed a closure report giving clean chit to Modi and others stating there was no evidence to support her allegations. She filed a protest petition against the clean chit which was rejected by the magisterial court, Gujarat High Court as well as the Supreme Court in 2022.

"In the death of Zakiaben Jafri, we the people of India have lost a great soul! She was a woman of strength and substance. She suffered much since that fateful day when her dear husband Ahsan Jafri was brutally murdered. Since then, as a victim- survivor she has fought relentlessly for justice not merely for herself but all women and others - who are victims of an unjust and violent system," said human rights and peace activist and Jesuit priest Father Cedric Prakash, who also attended the funeral.

On February 28, 2002, 69 persons, including Ahsan Jafri, were burnt to death in Gulberg Society, a prominent Muslim residential area back then. This happened a day after 59 karsevaks returning from Ayodhya in Sabarmati Express train were burnt to death at Godhra railway station.

The survivors of the society including Zakia never went back to the society, which continues to be abandoned. The survivors and their family members congregate at the society on the anniversary of the ghastly incident, offer prayers and go back. In 2023, Zakia Jafri arrived at the society for the last time.