Tag Archives: Ahmed Patel – Gujarat

Zakia Jafri, A Symbol of Resistance, Passes Away

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Khandwa District, MADHYA PRADESH / Ahmedabad, GUJARAT :

Zakia Jafri, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri – the Legal Crusader who became a Symbol of Resistance, died at her residence in Ahmedabad Saturday February 01, 2025.

Mumbai: 

Zakia Jafri, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri – the Legal Crusader who became a Symbol of Resistance, died at her residence in Ahmedabad Saturday February 01, 2025.

Zakia Jafri was 86.

Zakia Jafri is survived by sons Tanveer and Zubair, and daughter Nishrin. “Mom passed away at around 11:30 AM”, she told media.

Zakia Jafri’s sad demise was later shared with the world by Rights Activist, Journalist and Author, Teesta Setalvad.

“Zakia Appa a compassionate leader of the Human Rights Community passed away just 30 minutes ago!” Teesta Setalvad wrote on her X account around 01:30 PM Saturday.

“Her visionary presence will be missed by the nation, family. friends & world! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa!” Teesta wrote while condoling Zakia Jafri’s death.

Originally from Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, Zakia Jafri had shifted to Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 1971. This after living in a refugee camp after her home in Khandwa was burnt during the 1969 communal riots.

Zakia Jafri’s husband Ehsan Jafri was a freedom fighter and Member of Parliament.

Ehsan Jafri and his family had provided shelter to dozens of Muslim families at their Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

But, the society, considered to be a safe haven because of Jafri family’s stature, too was targeted by the rioters who burnt alive and killed at least 68, including Ehsan Jafri.

Zakia Jafri later fought a long legal battle to seek justice for the 2002 Gujarat riot victims. She had also challenged the SIT clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was Chief Minister Gujarat, during the riots.

During the long legal battle she was threatened and later cajoled by different means and tactics. She however remained firm.

Zakia Jafri is likely to be laid to rest beside her husband in Ahmedabad.

Condolences pour in

Meanwhile, condolences are pouring in from different circles after the demise of Zakia Jafri.

Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, in his condolence message said, “Zakia Jafri, an unwavering voice for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots, is no more. The widow of former MP Ehsan Jafri, who was brutally murdered by a Sangh Parivar-led mob, she dedicated her life to the pursuit of justice. Her relentless fight leaves behind a legacy of courage and resilience. Her memory will continue to inspire us in our fight against communalism and divisive forces.”

Congress Spokesperson, Pawan Khera, wrote, “Zakia Jafri died today. Her Hope for justice had died in her life time. She chronicled the history of ‘New India’ through her tears, her sobs, her fight and her defeat.”

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi in his condolence message wrote, “Zakia Jafri watched her husband being murdered by a mob in 2002. For nearly two decades, she fought a lonely legal battle against some of India’s most powerful men, never showing fear. She passed away today. May Allah grant her peace and strength to her loved ones.”

Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) who was posted in Gujarat during the 2002 Godhra Riots condoled Zakia Jafri’s death in these words.

“Zakia Jafri Ji was an unshakable voice of truth against power. For decades, she fought not just for justice, but for truth, dignity and the very soul of our democracy. Her strength in the face of unimaginable loss will forever inspire us. Today, India has lost a true warrior, but her courage will live on! Rest in power, Zakia Ji!!”

Condoling the death of Zakia Jafri, Journalist and TV Anchor Rajdeep Sardesai worte: “Sad news: Zakia Jafri, whose husband and former Cong MP Ehsan Jafri was brutally killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots passed away today. For years, she fought a valiant battle for justice. When even an MP’s wife struggles to be heard, imagine the plight of an ordinary citizen. And yet, she remained steadfast and courageous till the end. Refused to give up.”

Mumtaz Patel, daughter of Congress leader Ahmed Patel, condoled Zakia Jafri’s death in these words.

“Zakia Jafri ji, symbol of resilience and an unwavering voice for justice, is no more. Her fight for truth and accountability in the face of unimaginable tragedy will always be remembered. May she rest in power.”

My heart goes out to the brave lady #ZakiaJafri who fought against these devils and those three judges who betrayed you . But they all will have to pay for their karmas before they depart from this world,this also includes the supreme leader . pic.twitter.com/JQUZTueTuI— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) February 1, 2025.

“Zakia Jafri, widow of former parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri, who was killed by a Hindutva mob in the 2002 Gujarat genocide, Zakia Jafri Survived in genocide and become the relentless voice of Justice”, Noor Mahvish, a lawyer, wrote on X.

“Zakia Jafri . A life time of a fight for justice 23 years out of the 85 she spent on this earth ,waiting for justice for the killing of her husband along with the people they tried to protect inside Gulberg Society in Gujarat 2002”, a social media user, who identifies her as Realm of Bohemia, wrote.

“Brave and fearless, she fought for Justice till the end”, an activist wrote.

“She left this world fighting for justice and showing the whole world how to never give up”, Razia Pathan, an activist, wrote.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by ummid.com News Network / February 01st, 2025

Ahmed Patel and Gujarat: The national leader who never forgot his roots

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Leaders, , , , , , ,

Piraman Village (Bharuch District) GUJARAT / NEW DELHI :

Ahmed Patel was one-point contact person for Congress leaders, workers from Gujarat

Ahmed Patel | PTI

When the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading in India in March, many journalists in Gujarat received a call from Ahmed Patel asking about their well-being and also that of their families.

“Hope you and your family are doing well. Do let me know in case any help is needed,” he said.

Even several Congress workers received a call from him. He personally called up a reputed hospital in Ahmedabad to book a room for his colleague, Rajya Sabha member Shaktisinh Gohil, who tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, when the nation lost Ahmed Patel of post-COVID-19 complications , for the Gujarat Congress, it is a loss that the party and its leaders cannot even imagine.

Ahmed Patel was the one-point contact person for the leaders and party workers from Gujarat. Ahmed Patel was accessible 24×7.

A three-time Lok Sabha member and five-time Rajya Sabha member, Ahmed Patel was a man who was in New Delhi but did not forget his roots in Gujarat and was ever ready to help Gujarat and raise concerns when it mattered.

He had friends across party lines and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of Ahmed Patel’s age called him ‘Babubhai’, a name he got from his native Piraman village in Bharuch district of Gujarat. There is a likelihood that he might be buried beside the graves of his parents in Piraman.

Not many know that Ahmed Patel was instrumental in running many gaushalas (cow shelters) in Gujarat. A Congress leader in Rajkot, Dr. Hemang Vasavda, recalled how during drought Ahmed Patel aided gaushalas and the way he stayed in Kutch during the killer earthquake of 2001 to guide the party workers.

Totally dedicated to the party without aspiring for any post and easily accessible is how former Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia described Ahmed Patel. “We have lost a friend, philosopher and a guide,” he said.

Tributes came from the young working president of Gujarat Congress Hardik Patel as well. Hardik recalled how Ahmed Patel inspired him before he joined the party over two years ago. “I remember how he offered me mango ras and puri in peak summer in New Delhi when I went to meet him,” he recalled.

Hardik also said that when he was in jail, Ahmed Patel often called up his parents to comfort them and say that lawyers would be arranged for his case.

Ahmed Patel reaching out to party workers and meeting them personally during his visits to Gujarat in their good and bad times is something that the rank and file of Gujarat Congress is not able to forget.

The manner in which Ahmed Patel won the Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat in a nail-biter in mid-2017 strengthened the Congress and it put up a good show in the Assembly election later that year.

source: http://www.theweek.in / The Week / Home> News> India / by Nandini Oza / November 25th, 2020

Ahmed Patel’s Rajya Sabha poll win, just the booster Congress needed

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , ,

GUJARAT / NEW DELHI :

Congress general secretary in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot described Patel’s victory in the RS poll as a morale booster for party cadres across the country and a significant marker of the BJP’s fallibility.

Gujarat Rajya Sabha election: The candidates Ahmed Patel from the Congress in gandhinagar.. Express photo javed raja
Gujarat Rajya Sabha election: The candidates Ahmed Patel from the Congress in gandhinagar.. Express photo javed raja

The dramatic Rajya Sabha win of Congress’ chief strategist Ahmed Patel is being widely hailed in internal circles as the booster shot the party needed and a turning point in its fortunes. Patel, Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary, pushed back an aggressive BJP to win a high stakes battle for the RS seat from Gujarat, providing state cadres a big reason to cheer. Gujarat goes for Assembly elections shortly.

Congress general secretary in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot described Patel’s victory in the RS poll as a morale booster for party cadres across the country and a significant marker of the BJP’s fallibility. “The BJP has suffered a lot of damage in this election. Its credibility has taken a huge hit. There was no tool they didn’t employ to put spokes in Congress wheels. BJP chief Amit Shah himself went and sat in Gujarat during counting.

“Ahmed Patel’s win will have a positive impact for us not just in Gujarat but across the country. People saw the extent to which BJP can fall to win one seat at the cost of democracy. One election has exposed the BJP totally and this victory will prove a boon for Congress,” Gehlot said.

Congress insiders hailed Patel’s win for another reason -the fact that it showed BJP’s electoral vulnerability after a long time. “This win has broken the myth of BJP invincibility and it has also boosted workers’ morale hugely. It will reverse the down slide Congress was facing. It will send a positive signal across India and will boost Congress’ chances in upcoming polls,” Gehlot said describing Patel as a pole of opposition unity and his win as the harbinger of positive electoral fortunes for the Congress.

Gujarat state leaders say Patel’s historic win against the might of BJP top brass will become an turning point in the upcoming state polls.

“Ahmed Patel’s win will prove a turning point for Congress in Gujarat. We are getting reports of people not appreciating the aggression the BJP put into winning one RS seat. This is bound to prove counterproductive for the BJP which lost out in the final game,” Shaktisinh Gohil, senior Congress leader from Gujarat and party’s spokesperson told PTI today.

Armed with the RS win of Patel, the Gujarat Congress is now in campaign mode, expecting to fire up the canvassing with some visits by Patel over coming days. Organisationally, also Patel’s win has a huge consequence considering he leads the party old guard which is perceived to be at odds with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi-led young brigade.

“The fact is that this is the first win for Congress in a long time. And it’s a win against BJP’s might. This establishes the supremacy of Ahmed Patel in the party organisation and also outside among opposition forces,” a Congress leader said.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by PTI, New Delhi / August 13th, 2017