By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: “The real tribute to Adv. Shahid Azmi will be to take up his cause – to strive against injustice and to fight for rights of underprivileged”, said Public Interest and Human Rights Lawyer, Advocate Prashant Bhusan in a memorial meeting organized by Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association (JTSA) here today at Jamia Millia Islamia.
While recollecting his memories, Mr. Bhusan termed Adv. Azmi a passionate and restless personality, who will be always remembered for his work. “He was a brilliant and competent lawyer doubled with passion for fight against injustices”, he recalled.
Supreme Court Advocate Colen Gonzelvis, who is representing many cases, in which lawyers either have been threatened or attacked said, “The consistent attacks on lawyers is really alarming and it has made all of us vulnerable”. “And unfortunately, even courts are doing nothing”, he furthered.
Ajit Sahi, Executive Editor of Tehelka recalled, “Shahid lived like a soldier and dead like solider, which is really rare in our times”. He further said, “In his murder, I have not only lost a good friend but good source as he was very helpful for all of my investigation.” He also urged the gathering to take up the causes he was struggling for. He stressed on the occasion to take up all the cases, which Adv. Azmi was representing.
Dr. S Q R Ilyas, editor Afkar-e-Milli, Urdu Monthly, who was in touch with Azmi since his teenage said, “It seems, we are living in a police state as whosoever is trying to expose the injustices, are either implicated in false cases or killed in cold blooded murders”. Voicing his concern, he said “What is most unfortunate is that, all the pillars of democracy are mum”. Speaking at the occasion, Journalist Abu Zafar Adil Azmi recalled, “he was a people’s lawyer in real sense and void created by his cold blooded murder is really unbearable”.
The meeting was attended by a huge number of students, teachers and human rights’ activists and took pledge to carry out the cause of Adv. Shahid Azmi. Mumbai based Criminal Lawyer, Adv. Shahid Azmi was murdered in cold blood on February 11, 2010 night at his office.