Asifa’s rape case has shaken us, because we never thought that something like this will happen in our Indian society.
What’s sad is that some people are supporting the rapists just because the girl was a “MUSLIM”. Is our Indian society so divided that we should bring religion in between such important issues?
However, there’s one brave lady who is fighting the case very bravely. Yes, we are talking about Deepika Rajawat (38), an activist and lawyer who can go to any extent to get justice for Asifa. Since Deepika is a mother of a 5 year old, she understands the pain and has taken up the case despite threats.
In the month of Feb, she approached her father Mohammad Akhtar and expressed her desire to fight the case for his daughter. She is the chairperson of “Voice for Rights”, an NGO that fights for human rights of children and women.
She helped her father file an application with the High Court and stood with him throughout the legal procedure. Also, she provided assistance in transferring the case to Crime Branch.
Rajawat has been receiving many threats for fighting this case but her determination is strong. In an interview with a news channel, Rajawat said,
“I am not scared, but I am not feeling safe either. Protesters (lawyers) are trying to put pressure on me so that I don’t fight for justice. But I will continue to fight Asifa’s case. I have full faith in the police investigation.”
Luckily Rajawat was given security and protection; the High Court had issued a security letter i.e. she will always be protected during her appearances.
She was even threatened to stay away from the case during the lawyers’ strike. She said,
“But when I confronted the senior advocate and told him that I can fight any case I want, I was told there are ways to stop me. But this letter from the high court gives me strength even though there is a corner in my heart that is a little afraid. These are powerful people.”
The lawyer also says that anything can happen. She adds,
“I don’t know how long I will be alive. I can be raped…My modesty can be outraged. I can be killed, I can be damaged. I was threatened yesterday that ‘we will not forgive you’. I am going to tell the Supreme Court tomorrow that I am in danger”
She has hope in herself and surely feels that she will be successful in giving justice to Asifa’s family.