Nearly a month after her passing, civil rights activists, and veteran journalists, gathered at the Press Club of India to honour Zakia Jafri’s unwavering fight of justice. Organized by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), on February 27, 2025, the event Honouring Resilience: The Enduring Legacy of Zakia Jafri brought together prominent voices who reflected on her life-long battle against communal forces and Indian Judicial system.
Zakia Jafri, the widow of former MP Ehsan Jafri, fought her entire life for justice after the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which her husband was brutally killed. Her children, Tanveer Jafri and Nishrin Jafri, were among the speakers who remembered her as a strong pillar of strength.
A Mother’s Strength
Tanveer Jafri recalled how his mother gave courage to others in the face of the adversities she herself faced. “She was a hope for all the riot-survivors. She always told them to be patient, to have faith that justice would come,” he said.
His sister Nishrin spoke about the deep agony Zakia carried. “In 20 years, I rarely saw her cry. But whenever she laughed, it carried sorrow within her. She longed for the home and loved ones she lost,” she said.
Discussion held Thursday at New Delhi’s Press Club to commemorate Zakia Jafri’s resilience and unwavering courage | Image Courtesy: The Observer Post
Symbol of ‘Resistance’
Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan saluted her courage, saying, “This is a spirit we must never forget.”
Journalist and human right activist John Dayal eulogized her strenuous efforts in seeking justice. “She bore immense pain but still fought for others,” he said.
Bhasha Singh, an independent journalist, described her fighter-spirit as saying: “I stand with the truth, no matter who I must stand against.”
The discussion, moderated by journalist Prashant Tandon, also focused on the larger pattern of communal violence in India. He drew parallels between the 2002 Gujarat riots and recent lynchings, saying, “The mob that came for Ehsan Jafri never left. It reappears—sometimes for Akhlaq, sometimes for Pehlu Khan.”
Call for ‘Advocacy’
Human rights activist Harsh Mander also attended the event reflecting on the importance of documenting struggles. “Zakia Jafri knew she might not win, but she fought to leave a record for future generations,” he said.
Syeda Hameed, an activist and educationist, ended the day with a poetic message, quoting Faiz Ahmed Faiz: “There is deep darkness, but we must break it.”
As the event concluded, the speakers reiterated the need for advocacy, vigilance, and solidarity in the face of rising communal forces. The legacy of Zakia Jafri, they said, is a reminder that justice is a fight worth waging.
APCR, which organized the event, is dedicated to defending civil rights in India through legal aid, advocacy, and research.
