Delhi pays tribute to Asma Jahangir

Over 100 people gathered at the centre and remembered Jahangir as “larger than life, a tremendous critic, outspoken and fearless, who always fought for the minorities”.

Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir died due to brain haemorrhage on February 11. (File)

Friends and well-wishers of Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir, who died due to brain haemorrhage on February 11, gathered at a memorial at India Habitat Centre Thursday to remember her life and works. Over 100 people gathered at the centre and remembered Jahangir as “larger than life, a tremendous critic, outspoken and fearless, who always fought for the minorities”.

Among those who took part in the memorial included activist Kamla Bhasin, and Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising. Bhasin, who knew Jahangir for 33 years, said, “If there were no hassles for getting a visa, many of us would have been at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where thousands had gather to pay their tribute. Her death isn’t a loss only for Pakistan, it’s a loss to all those who love unity, human rights, inclusion and democracy. She wasn’t a woman who was bound by narrow nationalities or religionism. Woh toh aisi aurat hau jiska koi desh nahi hai, puri duniya uska desh hai.”

While Syeda Hameed recalled her last meeting with her on November 27 in Lahore. “Our friends in Pakistan always want to come to India, but visa is always the issue. So I used to tell Asma that she should come often as she is allowed multiple entries, what she said still rings in my years. She said ab dil nahi chahta. The cause we fought for all our lives, it feels they don’t want us anymore, all the doors have closed for us.”

Gautam Soni, whose place she always stayed in Delhi, shared an interesting anecdote from one of Jahangir’s trips to Delhi. “She was here for a meeting when there had been a bomb blast recently, the police was going through the belongings of all those from Pakistan. No one searched her at the airport but later two policemen arrived at home. When they saw two bottles of wine in her bag, they asked ‘aap peeti bhi hain?’ Later when IK Gujral got to know about it, he informed then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who later called to apologise.” Even Miloon Kothari, who has worked with the lawyer-activist at Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN, shared how surprised he was to see the Pakistani High Commissioner to Canada escort her to all events when they both were at Vancouver June last year.

Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaisingh, in her firebrand fashion, said, “Asma fought military dictatorship all her life, and I’ve heard her say that they don’t last long. What I’ve learnt from her is that even a democratically elected dictator cannot survive for a long period of time. If we want to carry her legacy forward, it is our duty to challenge our own ruling establishments…Like her I also love my country, but I reject communalisation in politics. I am in the Supreme Court fighting cow vigilantism, demanding the death of Justice Loya be investigated, protesting the discharge of Amit Shah. This is the legacy that I have taken away from Asma Jahangir. She announced that the Supreme Court Bar Association would have a similar meeting in her honour.”

In a collective effort, a resolution was passed, at the gathering, where everyone pledged to carry forward the struggle for people’s rights across borders, the battle against divisive, authoritarian, communal and patriarchal forces, and the right to life and livelihood of the discriminated.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram