First Lady Michelle Obama Honors 2014 IWOC Awardee Laxmi of India
Laxmi Agarwal (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host. Laxmi is founder and President of The Laxmi Foundation, an NGO dedicated to acid attack victims.[1] She was attacked at the age of 15.
In 2005, Laxmi was 15 years old and an 11th-grade student. She was approached by a man working in her neighbourhood, Naeem Khan, who was 32 years old. He proposed to Laxmi but she rejected him. She did not inform anyone about this because her family would have blamed her and stopped her studies. Ten months later, Laxmi Agrawal was returning from Khan market at 10:45 in the morning when she received Naeem's wedding proposal again. She did not respond. Within no time, she was attacked with acid by Naeem and his elder brother, Kamran. Kamran called Laxmi's name from behind while riding his motorcycle. When Laxmi turned to look, Naeem threw acid directly at her face from the backseat. Laxmi fainted and after gaining consciousness, she tried to walk up and ask for help but met with multiple road accidents. A man named Arun Singh called the police, but he saw her skin melting from the acid, and he realised it might be too late to wait for assistance. Someone else splashed water on her face hoping to reduce the burns; this caused the acid to move down and burn her neck. Arun then got her in the back seat of his car. This later caused burn holes in the seat covers. He admitted her to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The police reached the hospital directly. Arun then asked Laxmi about her family and where she lived. He reached her house, informed her family, and took them from their house to the hospital. She underwent multiple operations including eye surgery. Naeem Khan was arrested and later sentenced to imprisonment for ten years.
Public interest litigation in Supreme Court
In 2006, Agarwal filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India seeking framing of a new law, or amendment to the existing criminal laws like Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act and Code of Criminal Procedure, for dealing with the offence of acid attack, besides asking for compensation. She also pleaded for a total ban on the sale of acid, citing an increasing number of incidents of such attacks on women across the country.
During the hearing, the Centre assured the court that it would work with the state governments to enact a law to regulate the sale of acids and formulate a policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of such victims. However, when the Centre failed to produce a plan, the court criticised the government for lack of seriousness and warned that it would intervene and pass orders if the government failed to frame a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent chemical attacks.[4]
In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Agarwal's plea, thereby creating a fresh set of restrictions on the sale of acid in India. Under the new regulations, acid cannot be sold to any individual below the age of 18 years and the buyer is required to furnish a photo identity card. The court also issued directions to be followed regarding medical treatment, aftercare, rehabilitation and compensation for acid attack victims.[5]
Personal life
Laxmi Agarwal was in a live-in relationship with social activist Alok Dixit, and the couple has separated in 2015. They have a daughter.
Hunger strike and campaign against acid violence
The acid attack survivors started a hunger strike demanding immediate justice and rehabilitation for acid attack survivors. She wrote a poem describing her situation during the incident.
While she was in the United States to receive the International Women of Courage award, she was praised by the then USA first lady Michelle Obama and others for her campaign against acid violence.[citation needed]
In popular culture
She starred in the 2014 short documentary Newborns directed by Megha Ramaswamy as herself.[6]
The film Chhapaak is based on Agarwal's life story and was released on 10 January 2020. In the film, her character is played by actress Deepika Padukone.[7]
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