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The Rediff Interview/Anjana Mishra

'A woman can fight and get justice if she is determined'

Anjana Mishra, the woman who fought a lonely three-year battle for justice against the powerful former Orissa advocate-general Indrajit Ray, got justice at last when a Bhubaneswar court convicted him on February 1 for trying to molest her at his official residence in Cuttack in 1997.

The estranged wife of an Indian Forest Service official has had a difficult time trying to recover from one shocking incident after another, ranging from torture by her husband and his family to denial of her right to meet her two minor sons. Her own parents also turned against her. And last year she was gangraped near Bhubaneswar. But through all that, she never lost her will to fight back.

In an exclusive interview with M I Khan in Bhubaneswar, where she lives in the posh Nayapalli locality, Anjana Mishra discussed her fight and her future plans. Excerpts:

After a long fight, you have ultimately proved your point and got justice. How do you feel now?

I feel immensely relieved and happy. At last I proved my point. I was sure from the beginning that I would win justice one day, because I believe that if a person is committed to his point, justice will come his way. I am as confident today as ever.

What prompted you to take on such a powerful person like Ray?

I was determined to fight for justice and against the humiliation meted out to me. He [Ray] was the advocate-general. He wanted to exploit me like others, but I was not a simple lady to compromise with the situation. After the judgment I feel that I was right. I am more relaxed today than ever.

What made you so confident that you would win the case?

I was confident of winning because truth was on my side. If truth is with you, it means God is with you. God was with me from day one. That's why I was sure to win from day one. And the judgment has proved that truth always wins.

Last year you accused former chief minister J B Patnaik, who now heads the state Congress, of trying to protect Ray and destroy evidence.

That is true. It is a different matter that the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] cleared his name. But he had said then that the law would take its own course. Today it has taken its course, the judgment is there for everyone to see. But I still believe Patnaik tried to shield Ray.

There has been some speculation that you were backed by some opposition parties who wanted to discredit the ruling Congress. How do you react to that?

No, no, it is ridiculous to talk like that. It has nothing to do with any backing. I fought my battles on my own. It was not the support of any opposition or ruling party dissidents, as a section of the local media has reported.

Last year you were planning to set up a voluntary organisation after receiving Rs 2 million from an unknown source to help women in distress by providing them moral and legal help? How far has that plan progressed?

I still don't know who sent that money. It may be part of a conspiracy to silence me or buy me. But I am not the person to compromise.

Yes, that plan is very much on the cards. Whenever I decide anything, I go ahead with it. I will certainly try to do something for others like me and provide them all help to fight injustice. But that voluntary organisation will take some time to materialise.

What do you mean by injustice?

It is simple. If any woman is unable to fight and expose the person who has exploited her, I will try to help her prove her point.

Any other plans for the future?

Yes, I am planning to lauch an autonomous body with people from all walks of life to do something for society. It will work for the weaker and underprivileged sections.

Will you enter politics, as you are already quite famous?

I don't have any desire to opt for politics to achieve my goals. Politics is not my cup of tea.

Finally, what do you think is the message the judgment sends out?

The message is loud and clear for all the women in the country. A woman can fight and get justice if she is determined.

The Rediff Interviews

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