Sameeya Zargar, sister of Safoora Zargar writes an emotional open letter to her sister who is in Tihar jail after being booked under several charges including ‘the draconian law’ UAPA. “…We do not get scared easily. Sorry but no matter how excruciatingly hard this is, I won’t let myself believe that you or us cannot take it” the letter posted in Sameeya’s twitter account reads.
“The lockdown situation has done its part in making contact with you all the more difficult and the process isn’t a cakewalk either” Sameeya writes. She hopes that her sister will overcome this time, writing: ” I know you’ll top this like all those exams and make the rest of us look like fools.”
Read the full letter
OPEN LETTER
Hey Safoo di
It’s been too many days since we have spoken. In fact, this must be the longest we’d ever go without fighting with each other actually. First things first, our family is doing okay- scared, in anticipation, sometimes crying but its part of the process don’t worry.
The lockdown situation has done its part in making contact with you all the more difficult and the process isn’t a cakewalk either. In fact, it’s almost like a slow death. But mamma-papa made us the feisty girls we are for a reason. We do not get scared easily. Sorry but no matter how excruciatingly hard this is, I won’t let myself believe that you or us cannot take it. I know you’ll top this like all those exams and make the rest of us look like fools.
I am sure you are wondering where life took you.. me too (I’m penning this down at 3 am so). But it’s also shown me the unbelievable strength we have to be able to get through this with sanity. You’ve always laughed at my over-optimism and guess what, shockingly, even after all this fighting the fight, I think we’ll be just fine.
You are the strongest person I know and now I have seen so many people be strong for you. I am taking lessons from memories of you having courage. Of being resilient. Of being kind. Of welcoming everyone. Of being so so brave. That’s what I have been trying to do and failing pretty badly. It led me to the realization that it takes too much to be you. In the sliver of hope that this might reach you God knows how, I want you to know we are here, we are praying and we will see this through.
P.S: Awaiting your 3 am Maggie demands. Hang in there bhai
Love,
Sameeya
Safoora Zargar was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly being the conspirator of North East Delhi riots. 27 years old student leader and a research scholar from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) was associated with Jamia Coordination Committee, leading Anti-CAA protests in Jamia Millia Islamia Central University.
Along with UAPA, Safoora has been charged with 18 criminal activities including rioting, possession of arms, attempt to murder, incitement of violence, sedition, murder, and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.
Police accused Safoora of being a key “conspirator” in the Delhi pogrom that erupted in 2020 February. The pogrom is widely acknowledged to have been sparked by violence instigating comments made by Kapil Mishra, a BJP leader, about Muslims peacefully protesting against ‘anti-Muslim and unconstitutional’ citizenship law. Video evidence and witness accounts pointed to police allowing Hindu mobs to roam the streets freely to target the Muslim community.
Several human rights watch organisations including Amnesty International have demanded the release of Safoora. Students, teachers, activists and Artists are also protesting against the ‘witch-hunting’ of anti-CAA protesters.
