This comprehensive biography details the life and activism of Safoora Zargar, a prominent figure in Indian student activism and the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Wiki/Biography
Safoora Zargar, born in 1993 (age 30 as of 2023), hails from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. She spent her formative years in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), completing much of her schooling in Faridabad. After earning a B.A. from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University, she pursued an M.A. and subsequently an MPhil in Sociology at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5’4″
- Hair Colour: Black
- Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Safoora Zargar comes from a Muslim family in Kishtwar. Her father, Shabir Hussain Zargar, is a retired Indian government employee, and her mother is a homemaker. She also has a sister, Sameeya Zargar.
Relationships, Husband & Children
Safoora Zargar married Saboor Ahmed Sirwal on October 6, 2018, in Kishtwar. It was an arranged marriage.
Wedding Pictures
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Anti-CAA Protests
During her MPhil studies, Safoora became a key member of the Jamia Coordination Committee’s media wing. This wing played a significant role in organizing the anti-CAA protests across Delhi and the NCR. She actively participated in and led numerous demonstrations against the CAA. One notable incident involved her fainting during a clash between police and students on February 10, 2020.
Controversy
On April 10, 2020, Delhi Police arrested Safoora at her Delhi residence. She was implicated in FIR 48/2020, related to the Jaffrabad road blockade and the subsequent northeast Delhi violence in February 2020. The police alleged her involvement as a key conspirator in the violence, which resulted in at least 53 deaths.
Initially remanded for two days, she was granted bail on April 13, 2020, only to be immediately rearrested in connection with FIR 59/2020. Additional charges were filed against her on April 20, 2020, including charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The charges against Safoora were numerous, encompassing rioting, possession of arms, attempted murder, incitement to violence, sedition, murder, and promoting enmity between religious groups. She spent time in Tihar Jail, reportedly in solitary confinement for a period to protect her and her unborn child from COVID-19. Despite a denied bail application in June 2020, she was ultimately released on bail from the Delhi High Court later that month.
In a significant development, a Delhi trial court discharged several accused, including Safoora, in the Jamia violence case of 2019. However, this decision was later overturned by the Delhi High Court following an appeal by the Delhi Police.
Pregnancy & Social Media Trolls
Safoora’s pregnancy during her arrest led to a wave of social media trolling and character assassination. False accusations and the spread of unrelated images and videos targeted her reputation.
Favourites
Here’s a quick look at some of Safoora’s preferences:
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Eros Hotel New Delhi |
| Football Club | Chelsea |
| Clothing Brand | Jack & Jones |
| Novelist | George R. R. Martin |
| Fast Food | Maggi Noodles |
Facts/Trivia
- Growing up in Delhi, she doesn’t possess typical Kashmiri features or an accent.
- As a young child in Delhi, she was the only Muslim student in her class, facing teasing and prejudice.
- Safoora enjoys reading, writing, and traveling and aspires to join the civil services.
- She is passionate about reading and reciting poetry (shayaris).
- During her undergraduate studies, she was involved with the Women’s Development Cell and ran a campus magazine.
- Before pursuing her Masters, she briefly worked in marketing.
- She has a history of Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) and urinary tract infections (UTI).
- She actively participated in protests against the Kathua rape case and the Syrian conflict.
