It's been a year today since Khurshid Anwar jumped off his house. He succumbed to the trauma that he had been subjected to. Falsely accused of rape, instead of following the process and the law, he was pronounced guilty by a section of media and many others who maligned him, his reputation and his entire existence on social media and off it. He on 18th December, 2013 at about this time gave in to it all...
His perpetrators are free, enjoying life, active on Facebook, in social circles and some also in political circles. The said victim never showed up after her accusation. The police have still not filed an FIR on the complain registered by the family against some prominent people. The court has given dates and the process is on... System is working at its own pace.
Khurshid Anwar is no more and the world has moved on... His house got wound up. Family which was away from him but had united on his demise has also moved on. Organisation which was closest to him as they were together almost 24x7, picked pieces and pledged to take ahead what Khurshid had left behind. They faced financial crisis, board crisis but they got around it. They got a new board, and responsibilities were realigned. Not a single employee left the organization. They organised events, brought out books and tried to keep Khurshid alive through their work. But the void continues...
I knew Khurshid through Shruti my sister who works for ISD and in his absence now has been appointed the Chief Functionary of the organization. ISD was shruti's 1st job and Khurshid made sure she learns and learns well. He would be happy to see her perform today. He mentored her, was her friend and shared an amazing rapport with her. Every other day she would call and say "aaj sir ke yahan baithak hai, will eat there".
Through this one year I have seen whatever has happened through Shruti's eyes and through the voices of some of her colleagues. I have seen her cry and I have seen her angry. I have seen the team anxious before meeting with the funder and I have seen the team helpless when court extended the dates. Each in their own way want justice. Each in their own way are frustrated. They maybe the closest people Khurshid had but it's the family who takes decisions. Life is funny, those who are with you in life have little say about you when you are dead.
One year is over... Life changed for many, as it did for my sister. Khurshid is no more but alive in memories, in his stories, through his work. Often I hear Khurshid would have said this, he would have said that... his presence is missed by many... Magar ab koi message nahi aata Shruti se..
kyunki ab koi baithak hi nahi hoti...
(c) Shubhra
December 18, 2014
