Mohammad Noushad khan
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) organized an event titled Honouring Resilience: The Enduring Legacy of Zakia Jafri at the Press Club of India on Thursday. The gathering brought together civil society representatives, legal experts, journalists, and human rights advocates. It honored Zakia Jafri’s relentless pursuit of justice and highlighted the broader fight against communal violence and discrimination in India.
Zakia Jafri’s children, Tanveer and Nishrin Jafri, attended alongside notable figures such as Bhasha Singh, Harsh Mander, John Dayal, Kunwar Danish Ali, Nandita Narain, Nitya Ramakrishnan, and Syeda Hameed. Senior journalist Prashant Tandon led the discussion and recalled the brutal murder of Ehsan Jafri. He remarked, “The mob that emerged in Gujarat in 2002 still exists. We see its violence against Akhlaq, Pehlu Khan, and Inayat.”
Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan praised Zakia Jafri’s courage, saying, “Her spirit must not be forgotten. I pay tribute to this remarkable woman.” Journalist and activist John Dayal emphasized her impact: “Look at her face; it conveys deep emotion. Despite her suffering, she fought for others.”
Tanveer and Nishrin Jafri shared emotional reflections on their mother’s resilience. Tanveer said, “My mother was the greatest support for witnesses. She always encouraged patience, assuring them justice would prevail. Since February 28, 2002, the Gulmarg Society remains unchanged.” Nishrin added, “She rarely cried, but her laughter carried sorrow. Her deepest pain was being separated from her loved ones and home.”
Bhasha Singh and others stressed the need to uphold democracy, combat communalism, and strengthen legal systems. She declared, “I stand by the truth and will continue to do so until my last breath, even if it opposes the most powerful leaders.”
Activist and educator Syeda Hameed quoted poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz: “The heart is not without hope, though it may be a long evening of sorrow. But it is still evening.” She urged action to fight the prevailing darkness.
Human rights advocate Harsh Mander highlighted Zakia Jafri’s relentless fight: “She knew she might not win, but she fought because it mattered. She said, ‘Even if we don’t get justice today, we are creating a record for future generations.’”
Former Lok Sabha MP Kunwar Danish Ali stressed that the fight against systemic violence continues: “We must confront these forces. They aim to weaken us and impose their agenda.” The event ended with a strong call for vigilance, legal action, and unity to uphold the principles Zakia Jafri fought for.
