"Harsh Goenka highlights the desolate situation of the 26/11 attack survivor who testified against Kasab, asserting that accolades can't quell hunger's emptiness."
Meet Devika Rotawan, the brave nine-year-old who faced bullets during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and later testified against Ajmal Kasab, identifying him as a perpetrator. Despite her crucial role in the trial, she's faced numerous challenges over the past 15 years, as highlighted by businessman Harsh Goenka in a recent social media post.
"At 9, she faced bullets in the 26/11 attacks. She looked Kasab in the eye and testified, sending a terrorist to the gallows. But what did Devika Rotawan get in return? No job. No support. No home for years. Just stage invites, photo-ops, and medals. As Devika says: 'Awards don't fill empty stomachs.' If this is how we treat our bravest, what does patriotism even mean?" Goenka wrote on X.
After the attack, Devika underwent six surgeries and lost the use of her right leg during her recovery. School life was tough, with her peers teasing her and shunning her. Neighbors and relatives distanced themselves due to fear of reprisal from other terror groups, and the family received threat calls until the trial ended.
"I was called Kasab ki beti (Kasab's daughter). I used to run home crying because the girls used to tease me and did not want to play with me," she had told Hindustan Times in a 2018 interview.
Despite the hardships, Devika continued her education and eventually graduated from Chetana College in Mumbai in 2023. The family received compensation from the government and support from various politicians and organizations after the attacks. However, most of this money was spent on medical care for her brother and her own treatments.
However, Devika's struggle didn't end there. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of employment and ongoing support in the system, saying that awards and medals don't equate to meaningful support. But there's hope. After a five-year legal battle, Devika was recently allotted a home in Andheri, Mumbai. This decision was seen as a form of justice for her suffering.
Remember, our bravest deserve more than just awards. They deserve justice, dignity, and a safe, comfortable life. Let's stand with Devika Rotawan and ensure she gets the support she rightfully deserves.
[1] Devika Rotawan Gets a Home in Mumbai After a Five-Year Legal Battle, The Hindu, 2022[2] 26/11 Mumbai Attacks: The Brave Girl Who Identified Ajmal Kasab, India Today, 2018[3] Businessman Slams Government for Neglecting Braveheart Devika Rotawan, TOI, 2022
- Devika Rotawan's long-awaited achievement came in 2022 when she was allotted a home in Andheri, Mumbai, after a five-year legal battle, as reported by The Hindu.
- In the realm of finance and politics, the government's remuneration to the family following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks mainly went towards medical expenses for Devika and her brother, leaving Devika's search for employment and ongoing support still unfulfilled.
- Amidst general news, reports of crime and justice, and even war and conflicts, Devika Rotawan's fight for justice and dignity stands as a stark reminder that awards and medals cannot fill the needs of those who bravely face adversity - they require tangible support in their daily lives.
