Laxmi Agarwal (Acid Attack Survivor)”I felt as if someone had set my whole body on fire”

Acid Attack survivors explained.

according to her, “I felt as if someone had set my whole body on fire. The skin was just coming off, it was like dripping, from my hands and from my face.” – Laxmi Agarwal (Acid Attack Survivor)

Born to a middle-class family, fifteen-year-old Laxmi was full of life as she roamed the streets of New Delhi, with hope and dreams of becoming a singer someday. Naeem Khan, a roadside goon and twice her age, wanted to marry her but she was not interested. He refused to take no for an answer and stalked her, but she continued to reject his outwardly advances.

In 2005, Laxmi was on her way to a bookshop in Khan Market, when she was accosted by Naeem, who attacked her with acid. She lay on the street, writhing in pain until a taxi driver came forward and rushed her to the nearby Safdarjung hospital.

She had to undergo multiple surgeries and was in the hospital for three months. There were no mirrors in the ward and every morning, the nurse would bring her a bowl of water to freshen up and somehow Laxmi would try to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the water.

Devastated but not broken, Laxmi would rise above the trauma to embrace her new identity. The horrific attack could not bring Laxmi down. In 2006, she filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court and sought a total ban on the sale of acid. In 2013, the court ruled in favour of her plea and imposed restrictions on the sale of acid. The same year, Laxmi also became a campaigner for Stop Acid Attacks, founded by Alok Dixit and Ashish Shukla.

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As Laxmi became the voice of acid attack survivors, she was honoured by former First Lady Michelle Obama with the International Women of Courage Award. She was given the award for her courageous and selfless advocation for justice and human rights.

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar was highly inspired by her story and she is making a film on her titled Chhapaak. Deepika Padukone will play Laxmi’s character in the movie which went on floor last Sunday. The movie will also feature Vikrant Massey in a pivotal role.

Meghna Gulzar Deepika Padukone Laxmi Agarwal

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