Teesta Setalvad is a renowned civil rights activist and journalist, and secretary of Citizens of Justice and Peace (CJP). She is also the grand-daughter of India’s first Attorney General Shri. M. C. Setalvad, and her own father was a lawyer as well. Coming from a family of luminaries, who have stood for the Republic of India and the Constitution, Teesta Setalvad herself is well known for her groundbreaking work in the aftermath of the 2002 Godhra Riots, where she tirelessly worked for bringing justice to the victims and their families. Teesta testified at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom on 10 June 2002 against the BJP-led Gujarat government’s role in the post-Godhra communal violence.
She is not a stranger to controversy, nor to being persecuted, as she was jailed too. Aside from her on ground work, she with her Husband Javed Anand have done exemplary work in journalism, in advocating for minorities’ rights and greater communal harmony through their publication Communalism Combat and Sabrang India. She is seen even today leading from the front in many civic society initiatives and movements.
We take a deep dive into her extensive experience with activism, her involvement with elections as a part of civic society and her views on our democracy.
