Zakia Jafri, Widow of Ex-Congress MP Killed in 2002 Gujarat Riots, Passes Away at 86

Ahmedabad(The Uttam Hindu): Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away at the age of 86 due to age-related health issues. Her son, Tanveer Jafri, shared that Zakia was at her daughter’s house in Ahmedabad when she suddenly felt unwell. A doctor was called, but she was declared dead around 11:30 AM.

Zakia Jafri was a leading figure in the fight for justice for the victims of the post-Godhra riots. Her husband, Ehsan Jafri, was among the 69 people killed inside the Muslim-majority Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, during the violence that followed the Godhra train burning incident.

She spent years pursuing a legal battle in the Supreme Court, aiming to hold high-profile political figures accountable for their alleged role in the riots. Activist Teesta Setalvad, who supported Zakia in her legal journey, expressed deep sorrow at her passing, remembering her as a compassionate human rights leader.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also paid tribute, commending Zakia’s unwavering courage. “Zakia Jafri watched her husband being murdered by a mob in 2002. For almost two decades, she fought a lonely battle against some of India’s most powerful men. May Allah grant her peace,” Owaisi wrote on Twitter. Zakia Jafri’s relentless pursuit of justice has left a profound impact on the fight for accountability and human rights.