Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was tragically killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away on Saturday in Ahmedabad at the age of 86.
“My mother was visiting my sister’s house in Ahmedabad. She completed her daily morning routine and was chatting normally with her family members when she complained of feeling uneasy. The doctor who was called in declared her dead at around 11:30 am,” her son Tanveer Jafri said as reported by the NDTV
Ehsan Jafri was among the 69 people killed inside the Gulbarg Society, a Muslim neighborhood in Ahmedabad, on February 28, 2002. The attack occurred a day after the burning of Sabarmati Express coaches in Godhra, which resulted in the deaths of 59 ‘karsevaks’ returning from Ayodhya. The incident sparked widespread and brutal rioting across Gujarat.
Zakia Jafri hit the national headlines as she waged a legal battle all the way to the Supreme Court in a bid to hold top political leaders accountable for the large conspiracy for the riots post the Godhra train burning episode.
“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! Tanveer Bhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa! #ZakiaJafri (sic),” social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was co-complainant in Ms Jafri’s protest petition in the Supreme Court, posted on X.
Who was Ehsan Jafri?
Ehsan Jafri (1929 – February 28, 2002) was an Indian politician and Congress Party member who served as a Member of Parliament in the 6th Lok Sabha. He is most tragically remembered for his death during the Gulbarg Society massacre, which occurred amidst the communal riots that broke out in Gujarat in 2002.
In 1977, Ehsan Jafri was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ahmedabad, becoming the first Muslim MP from the constituency. His election came at a difficult time for the Congress Party, which had suffered significant losses in several states.
On February 28, 2002, during the violent riots that erupted in Gujarat following the Godhra train burning incident, Ehsan Jafri was killed by a mob that attacked Gulbarg Society. Despite his repeated calls for police help throughout the day, assistance never arrived. Eyewitnesses recounted how he was brutally murdered, along with many others who had sought refuge in his home.
