Zakia Jafri, Gujarat Riots Survivor And Fighter, Dies
Zakia Jafri, the widow of slain parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri and a fearless campaigner for justice, has died today. She was 86, according to reports. She spent more than two decades fighting against the system that failed her during the infamous Gujarat riots of 2002, standing as a symbol of resilience and courage.
Jafri’s life changed irrevocably on 28 February 2002, when a Hindu mob stormed Gujarat’s Gulberg Society, where she lived with her husband. Ehsan Jafri, a Congress leader and former MP, was dragged out, brutally tortured, and murdered in front of her eyes. Their home, along with the entire neighbourhood, was set ablaze. The violence, which erupted in retaliation to the burning of the Sabarmati Express in Godhra a day earlier, claimed at least 1,180 lives across the state.
Zakia Appa a compassionate leader of d human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago!Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & worrld! Tanveernhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa! #ZakiaJafri pic.twitter.com/D6Un1cj346
— Teesta Setalvad (@TeestaSetalvad) February 1, 2025
Left to rebuild her life from the ashes, Jafri refused to remain silent. She took her fight for justice to the courts, challenging the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that had cleared then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other officials of any wrongdoing. Her petition, backed by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), argued that the SIT ignored crucial evidence and that the riots were allowed to spiral out of control as part of a wider conspiracy.
Zakia Jafri passes away in Ahmedabad. Zakia Jafri was widow of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who along with 68 others was killed inside the gated Gulberg Society in Gujarat 2002. #RIP pic.twitter.com/Upl1sf4bTg
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 1, 2025
Her case was not just about seeking justice for her husband but about exposing institutional failures in handling communal violence. Her lawyer, Kapil Sibal, argued in court that her fight was not against any individual but against the systemic tolerance of violence. Despite the Supreme Court rejecting her plea in 2022, Jafri never gave up, believing that merely having her case heard was itself a step towards justice.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Zakia Jafri, the wife of Ahsan Jafri and a tireless advocate for justice for the victims of the Gujarat pogrom, has passed away. pic.twitter.com/ygOmDzbIGB
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) February 1, 2025
Jafri’s pursuit of truth came at a personal cost. Many of those who stood with her, including activists like Teesta Setalvad, faced legal battles of their own, which they saw as attempts to intimidate them into silence. But Jafri remained steadfast. She had already lost everything, she once told the media, and had nothing more to fear.
#ZakiaJafri passes away in Ahmedabad. My salute to her for her resolute struggle for justice on behalf of 2002 Riot victims.
— Nirjhari Sinha (@NirjhariSinha) February 1, 2025
