Acid attack fighter seeks help from PM
Winner of ‘Nari Shakti’ award wants help in rehabilitating acid attack fighters working at the cafe
AGRA: Acid attack fighter and winner of ‘Nari Shakti’ award 2016, Roopa, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his help in rehabilitating acid attack fighters who work at Sheroes Hangout Café in Agra.
The front portion of the café was demolished by the nagar nigam on July 11.
“You may not know me by name, but I met you while receiving the ‘Nari Shakti’ award in 2016 from the then President of India, for the project ‘Sheroes Hangout’ run for rehabilitating acid attack fighters, which now faces the threat of demolition. The outer part of the café was demolished on July 11, for widening the Agra-Fatehabad road,” reads a part of Roopa’s letter, which she mailed to the PM on Tuesday.
“We live in apprehension of total demolition of the café, which is providing livelihood and treatment to eight acid attack fighters working here. The café is popular in Agra as ‘another landmark of love’ and many celebrities have been here,” said Rupa in the letter.
“We had lived a life of rejection and abnormal behaviour (directed) towards us after acid attacks, till Chhanv Foundation brought up this café in 2014 and gave us the opportunity to face the world instead of hiding behind closed doors. The cafe attained international fame, giving acid attack fighters a sense of pride and self reliance, but the demolition has changed everything,” wrote Rupa.
She also acknowledged the support extended by the Supreme Court as well as the Centre in providing compensation and free treatment to acid attack victims.
Speaking to Hindustan Times after mailing the letter, Rupa said, “We look for acceptability in society, which our café has provided us. It represents a voice against attacks on women. I have requested the Prime Minister to visit our café, so that he can understand our problems like others who came here and went away with a changed perception.”