Tag Archives: Mumtaz Patel

Zakia Jafri, A Symbol of Resistance, Passes Away

February 2, 2025Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Ahmed Patel - Congress Leader, Ahmed Patel - Gujarat, Ahmed Patel - Gujarat Congress Leader, Ahmed Patel - Lok Sabha Member, Asaduddin Owaisi, Asaduddin Owaisi - Hyderabad MP, Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, Ehsan Jafri, Ehsan Jafri - Legal Crusader of India, Ehsan Jafri - Member of Parliament, Freedom Fighter Ehsan Jafri, Freedom Fighters of India, Indian Muslims, MP - Ehsan Jafri, Mumtaz Patel, Muslim Freedom Fighters of India, Muslim Women of Ahmedabad, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of Khandwa District, Muslim Women of Madhya Pradesh, Muslims of Ahmedabad, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Khandwa District, Muslims of Madhya Pradesh, Nishrin Jafri, Noor Mahvish, Positive News of Indian Muslim Women, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim Women of Ahmedabad, Positive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Muslim Women of Madhya Pradesh, Positive News of Muslims of Ahmedabad, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Khandwa District, Positive News of Muslims of Madhya Pradesh, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Tanveer Jafri, Teesta Setalvad, Teesta Setalvad - Author, Teesta Setalvad - Human Rights Activist, Teesta Setalvad - Journalist, Zakia Jafri, Zakia Jafri - Ahmedabad, Zakia Jafri - Symbol of Resistance, Zubair Jafrimpositiveone@gmail.com

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

15-year old Schoolgirl Arnazbanu Sipahi who was not called for award ceremony by school despite topping Class X board exams felicitated

September 21, 2023Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Ahmed Patel - Congress Leader, AMC Leader Shehzadkhan Pathan, Arnaz Banu, Arnaz Banu Sipahi, Arnazbanu Sipahi, Azam Baig - National General Secretary - ICMR, Congress MLA Gyasuddin Sheikh, Gyasuddin Sheikh, Indian Muslim Women Achievers, K Rehman Khan, Mumtaz Patel, Muslim Girls of India in Education, Muslim Women of Gujarat, Muslims of Gujarat, Positive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Muslims of Gujarat, Positive Stories of Muslims of Gujarat, Rahman Khan, Salman Khursheed, Samajwadi MLA Abu Azmi, Shehzadkhan Pathan, Sipahi, Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, The Indian Muslims for Civil Rights - IMCR - Gujarat Unitmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lunava Village (Mehsana District), GUJARAT:

Also present at the event were Gujarat Congress MLAs Amit Chavda and Imran Khedawala, former Congress MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh, AMC leader of Opposition Shehzadkhan Pathan, and late Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel’s daughter Mumtaz Patel.

Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, IMCR Gujarat felicitation ceremony, Arnazbanu Sipahi, Independence Day, Gujarat education news, indian express news — Arnazbanu Sipahi from Mehsana at the IMCR event on Saturday. (Express File Photo)

The Indian Muslims for Civil Rights’ (IMCR) Gujarat unit on Saturday felicitated 15-year-old Arnazbanu Sipahi from Mehsana, who was not called for a felicitation ceremony by her school despite holding the first position in the Class X board exams at her school, on Independence Day.

A former student of K T Patel High School, who had topped her school in Class X state board exams in March, Sipahi has now shifted to a nearby grant-in-aid school for her Class XI studies.

K T Patel High School principal has maintained that the August 15 award ceremony was organised by the school staffers and the school would felicitate Sipahi instead on January 26, next year.

Speaking to The Indian Express , Mehsana District Education Officer A K Modhpatel had earlier said, “I had checked with the school and learnt that the August 15 award ceremony for first three toppers from Class X and XII was organised by the teachers. They had collected funds to motivate school students. The girl and those who were not studying in the school (when the felicitation ceremony was held on August 15), will be awarded on January 26.”

Maintaining that she was “wronged” by the school, the IMCR – at a state-level conference on constitutionalism and secularism held in Ahmedabad – called Sipahi on stage to felicitate her in the presence of a host of Muslim leaders. Azam Baig, national general secretary (organisational) of IMCR, announced that he would personally fund Sipahi’s education, including higher studies.

Handing her a plaque and a flower bouquet on stage were former IMCR trustee and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, former member of Planning Commi-ssion, Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, as well as Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, among others.

Addressing the conference on the topic of ‘constitutionalism and secularism and the way forward’, Hameed cited Arnazbanu’s “experience” and the recent viral purported video of a Muslim boy being hit by his classmates upon being goaded by their teacher at a Muzaffarnagar school, as “examples where children are being discriminated against (on religious lines).” “We have to build a common front… work in an organised way (to counter the polarisation)… The Gujarat riots’ blueprint, which is now being attempted to be implemented elsewhere in India, we must not let it succeed.”

K Rehman Khan, former deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha , urged Muslims to be “givers” and not “seekers”, emphasising that they must empower themselves and “saving the Constitution should be the first priority”. “Only if the Constitution and secularism is saved, can we live a life of dignity,” Khan added.

Former Union minister Salman Khurshid said that “it is not acceptable that rule of law is replaced by rule of bulldozer”. He added that the “public must understand that what is happening today at someone else’s household can also happen at your household”. “We want that the majority speaks for the minority and the minority speaks for the majority,” Khurshid said.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Cities> Ahmedabad / by Express News Service, Ahmedabad (headline edited) / August 27th, 2023