Zakia Jafri, crusader for justice in Gujarat Riots case, passes away
Ahmedabad: Zakia Jafri, the widow of former parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri, who was killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away on Saturday, February 1. She was widely known for her relentless fight for justice in connection with the communal violence that led to her husband's brutal killing.
Human rights activist Teesta Setalvad confirmed her passing on social media, posting on X, “Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of the human rights community, passed away just 30 minutes ago!”
Zakia Jafri had been pursuing justice since 2006, when she filed a complaint alleging that the Gujarat police had failed to register FIRs against then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several other BJP leaders for their alleged role in the anti-Muslim violence. Her legal battle gained momentum in 2008 when the Supreme Court directed a fresh probe into nine riot cases, including the Gulberg Society massacre, where Ehsan Jafri was among the victims. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed to examine her complaint.
In 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed her plea challenging the SIT's clean chit to Modi and other accused, effectively closing the legal battle she had fought for years.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
