Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid tribute to former Member of Parliament Ehsan Jafri on the anniversary of the Gulberg Society massacre during the 2002 communal violence in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
In messages shared on Facebook and X, Vijayan described Jafri as a committed parliamentarian who stood for secular values and communal harmony. He said the killing of Jafri and dozens of others remains a painful chapter in India’s recent history. He urged citizens to reflect on the dangers of communal hatred and violence.
Vijayan also referred to the long legal struggle led by Zakia Jafri, the widow of the slain leader. He said her pursuit of justice lasted many years and stood as one of the most determined legal efforts by a victim’s family member after communal violence. He described her fight as a symbol of resilience and commitment to accountability within the constitutional framework.
According to the Chief Minister’s statement, 69 people, including Jafri, were killed when a mob attacked the Gulberg Society residential complex on February 28, 2002. Vijayan called the incident a reminder of the human cost of communal conflict. He stressed the need to safeguard India’s pluralistic ethos and protect secularism as a foundational principle of the republic.
He said remembering victims like Jafri serves as both homage and responsibility. He called on citizens to uphold constitutional values and promote peace, justice, and mutual respect among communities.
