Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt responds to Nishrin Jafri Husain's open letter
This is Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt.
Dear Nishrin Jafri Hussain,
Thank you very much for this heartwarming letter of support. What you, your family and thousands of innocent citizens went through in 2002 is barely imaginable.
I still remember that night when my husband returned home. I saw him walk through our gate, his stride still strong and sure; but once he entered our home, for the first time in my life, I saw him loose composure. IPS was my husband’s dream, serving the country was his vocation. That night, I saw that very passion for the forces extinguish in his eyes. Instead, all I could see was grief.
What we are living today is only the consequence of what happened then. Even after all we’ve been through, my husband has not given up his fight to bring Justice to your father; to bring Justice to your mother, and to all those who suffered the loss of friends and families. To bring them whatever solace, whatever closure they could find in seeing the people responsible for the cold-blooded murders of their loved ones being brought to justice. The past sixteen years of our lives have been the consequence of these three terrible days, these three atrocious nights, where gods abandoned us, and the government followed suit.
Ehsan jafri and his daughter Nishrin Jafri Hussain
Dear Nishrin, the abhorrent inactions of power-hungry men and women, who played with human lives for political mileage, will never be forgotten or forgiven.
I do not, for a single moment, regret the fight that my husband led. I do not mourn on the threats we received, on the destruction of my house, the removal of my security guards. Yes, doors may not open as wide as before, and the road to Justice is long. But as long as we stand together, it is not lonely.
To the incredulous, who believe our suffering is the right price to pay for raising our voices, I oppose your resolve.
But to all those sharing our struggle, standing in broad light to demand Justice for your father, for my husband today, I convey our warmest and sincerest gratitude. And to all those silently questioning the timing of last week’s events, uneased by the pernicious feeling that repression and censorship are steadily becoming India’s norms, I ask to stay vigilant. Only at this condition will democracy subsist, and Justice - not retribution, not vengeance - will be brought to our families, and to the families of all those whose suffering has lasted for too long.
With you always,
God bless.
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On Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan Din, thousands gather at Chaityabhoomi; Guv, CM hail social icon
Mumbai (PTI): Thousands of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar converged at his memorial in Mumbai's Dadar area on Saturday to pay tributes to the social reformer on his death anniversary, observed as 'Mahaparinirvan Din'.
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray were among those who paid tributes to Ambedkar at 'Chaityabhoomi' in Shivaji Park.
The Governor said Ambedkar gave the country a Constitution which ensured equal rights to all people.
Speaking at a tribute event organised at 'Chaityabhoomi' on the occasion of the 69th Mahaparinirvan Din of Dr Ambedkar, Devvrat said great personalities strengthen movements of social justice and live forever through their thoughts and work.
"Despite adversities, Babasaheb believed education to be the most powerful weapon to change the future of a family, society and a country. The Constitution united people from different communities and ensured equal rights to all," he said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Ambedkar laid the foundation for the nation's progress and due to his far-sighted vision, India has emerged as the world's fourth largest economy and is poised to reach the third rank soon.
Fadnavis underlined Ambedkar's role in India's energy security, stating that the adoption of a national power grid concept enabled the country's path toward energy self-reliance.
"The Constitution ensured a strong democratic base and safeguarded the rights of common citizens," he said, adding the state government is committed to completing developmental works at the 'Chaityabhoomi' memorial.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Ambedkar's struggle was for establishing equality, liberty, justice and fraternity.
"The guiding principle of "Educate, Organise and Agitate" continues to inspire social transformation," he said.
The Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, along with several ministers, MPs, MLAs and dignitaries, paid floral tributes at the memorial. Dignitaries also visited a photo exhibition organised by the BMC.
A helicopter showered flower petals over 'Chaityabhoomi' and copies of the Constitution were presented to the attendees.
Every year, thousands of people from across the state converge at 'Chaityabhoomi' on December 6. Ambedkar died on this day in 1956.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets, drinking water and medical stalls at the Shivaji Park, in view of the huge rush of Ambedkar's followers.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled Ambedkar’s ‘visionary’ leadership.
“Remembering Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and constitutionalism continue to guide our national journey. He inspired generations to uphold human dignity and strengthen democratic values.
“May his ideals keep lighting our path as we work towards building a Viksit Bharat,” Modi said in his message.
