Maha MLA Urges CM Thackeray To Allot House To Girl Who Identified Kasab

Devika Rotawan, the girl who identified terrorist Ajmal Kasab in court almost eleven years ago, is reportedly facing severe financial problems currently. Maharashtra MLA Zeeshan Siddique, who visited her on Monday afternoon, gave her a cheque and appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to give the young lady and her family a house in Mumbai under some special quota.

Nine-year-old Devika, standing on crutches, had identified terrorist Kasab in the investigations post the 26/11 attacks.  MLA Siddique, inspired by her story visited the now 20-year-old at her congested home in Bandra (East). Consequently, describing the visit, he tweeted, “She (Devika) showed me her bullet wounds and I heard her inspiring story."

Also Read: Mumbai Gave Me My Life Back After 26/11: Kia Scherr

Meet Devika Rotawan. This brave girl was 9 yrs old when she identified terrorist Kasab in court after 26/11 attacks.
She showed me her Bullet wound & I heard her inspiring story. Went to her house in Bandra East to give her a cheque when I found out about her financial struggle! pic.twitter.com/FVKcYps0wH

— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) September 14, 2020

What You Should Know: 

• Devika Rotawan identified terrorist Ajmal Kasab in court almost eleven years ago. She is facing severe financial problems currently.
• Maharashtra MLA Zeeshan Siddique visited her on Monday afternoon and gave a cheque to the girl. 
• Devika and her family are still waiting for the government to fulfil their previous promise of a flat.

MLA’s Appeal To Maha CM

Notably, MLA Siddique, on his part, gave Rotawan and her family a cheque to help them cope with their financial distress. He appealed to the Maharashtra Chief Minister for further assistance on Twitter. He tweeted “I request honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra to give this brave girl Devika a house in Mumbai under special quota. I will be writing a letter for the same! We must award her for the bravery she has shown. This will be a great token of appreciation from the #MahaVikasAghadi!"

I request Hon. @CMOMaharashtra to give this brave girl Devika a house in mumbai under special quota. I will be writing a letter for the same! We must award her for the bravery she has shown. This will be a great token of appreciation from the #MahaVikasAghadi government!

— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) September 14, 2020

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Devika’s Tale Of Valour

Devika played a pivotal part in getting justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks. Recounting the eventful night of November 26 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, she said: "There was a loud explosion... My father said we should leave and holding me in his arms he started running in one direction while my brother ran in another direction."

Furthermore, she recollected that just as her family was trying to escape, they witnessed two persons firing at people. Subsequently, Devika received a bullet in her right leg. "My leg broke, and blood spilled out," she said.

Last year, talking about Kasab, Devika told Humans of Bombay, “I couldn't get his face out of my mind." Devika faced many struggles beyond identifying Kasab. Elaborating on the same, Rotawan said that people disassociated themselves from her family. Devika and her family are still waiting for the government to fulfil their promise of a flat. Even so, the courageous girl has no regrets about coming forward eleven years ago, “we did what we had to for the country.”

Also Read: Neela Satyanarayan, Maharashtra’s First Woman Election Commissioner Dies Due To COVID-19

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV