Zakia Jafri, a survivor of the 2002 Gujarat riots, who took Prime Minister Narendra Modi to court, passed away on Saturday in Ahmedabad at the age of 86.
Zakia's husband and former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was among 69 persons who were burnt to death by a Hindu right-wing mob inside the gated Gulbarg Society, a Muslim neighbourhood in Ahmedabad, on February 28, 2002.
"My mother was visiting my sister's house in Ahmedabad. She completed her daily morning routine and was chatting normally with her family members when she complained of feeling uneasy. The doctor who was called in declared her dead at around 11:30 am," her son Tanveer Jafri said.
Zakia was known for her legal battle against the investigative agencies for absolving Narendra Modi, who was then chief minister of Gujarat, and other top BJP leaders from responsibility of the riots that killed around 2000 people, predominantly Muslims.
"Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & world! Tanveer Bhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa! #ZakiaJafri," human rights activist Teesta Setalvad posted on X.
Teesta and Zakia, in their petition before the Supreme Court, alleged that the apex court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), made an incomplete and biased investigation into the complaints of a larger conspiracy in the riots.
The plea was rejected by a three-member bench of the apex court on June 4, 2022.
"Till I have breath left in me, I am going to keep fighting,” Zakia had said in an interview two years ago.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections last year, in an interview with Maktoob Media, Zakia asked, "The fight is not over... Are you going to make Narendra Modi PM again?"