Laxmi Agarwal (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian campaigner with Stop Sale Acid and a TV host.[1] She is an acid attack survivor and speaks for the rights of acid attack victims. She was attacked in 2005 at age 15, by a 32-year-old man named Gudda whose advances she had rejected.[1][2][3] Her story, among others, was told in a series on acid attack victims by Hindustan Times.[4] She has also advocated against acid attacks through gathering 27000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales, and taking that cause to the Indian Supreme Court.[1] Her petition led the Supreme Court to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue.[1]
She is the Founder of Stop Sale Acid, a campaign against acid violence and sale of acid. Laxmi started this campaign with #StopSaleAcid which garnered nation wide support. She recently received International Women Empowerment Award 2019 from IWES, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Unicef for her campaign Stop Sale Acid.[5] She is also the former director of Chhanv Foundation, a NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India.[6] Laxmi received a 2014 International Women of Courage award by US First Lady Michelle Obama.[1] She was also chosen as the NDTV Indian of the Year.[7]A movie is being made starring actress Deepika Padukone, which is inspired by her journey as an acid attack survivor.
Early life
Laxmi was born in New Delhi in a middle-class family.[3]She was approached by a man in his mind thirties.
Career
Laxmi started her career as a campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks campaign. She worked as a campaign coordinator in initial days. Soon, Laxmi became a voice of the survivors of Acid Attacks across world. She received multiple awards in India for her work to curb the sale of acid and to rehabilitate the survivors of acid attacks through her foundation. Now Laxmi started her own campaign for StopSaleAcid. As of June 2014 Laxmi hosts a television show, Udaan, on New Express.[7] In 2015 Laxmi became brand ambassador for women fashion company Viva N Diva.
Public interest litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court
Laxmi, whose face and other body parts were disfigured in the acid attack, had a PIL in 2006. A minor then, Laxmi was attacked with acid by three men near Tughlaq road in New Delhi as she had refused to marry Nadeem Khan aka Guddu, of the trio. Her PIL sought framing of a new law, or amendment to the existing criminal laws like IPC, Indian Evidence Act and CrPC for dealing with the offence, besides asking for compensation. She had also pleaded for a total ban on sale of acid, citing increasing number of incidents of such attacks on women across the country.[9][10]
During a hearing in April, the Centre had assured the Supreme Court of India that it will work with the state governments to formulate a plan before the next hearing on 9 July. However, it failed to do so, which angered the court. However, when the Centre failed to produce a plan, the Supreme Court warned that it will intervene and pass orders if the government failed to frame a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent chemical attacks. "Seriousness is not seen on the part of government in handling the issue," the bench headed by Justice RM Lodha had said. Earlier, in February, the court had directed the Centre to convene in six weeks a meeting of Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to hold discussion for enacting a law to regulate the sale of acids and a policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of such victims.[11]
Meanwhile, in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Laxmi and Rupa’s plea, thereby creating a fresh set of restrictions on the sale of acid. Under the new regulations, acid could not be sold to any individual below the age of 18 years. One is also required to furnish a photo identity card before buying acid. Laxmi claims that not much has changed on the ground, despite all the regulations. "Acid is freely available in shops. Our own volunteers have gone and purchased acid easily. In fact, I have myself purchased acid," she said. "We have launched a new initiative called ‘Shoot Acid’. By means of the Right to Information Act, we are trying to acquire data concerning the sale of acid in every district. We intend to present the information collected through this initiative before the Supreme Court to apprise them of the situation on the ground."[12]
Personal life
Laxmi was in a relationship with social activist Alok Dixit. However, she has been separated from her partner since 2015[13]. When they were together, Alok decided not to get married and instead opted to be in a live-in relationship. "We have decided to live together until we die. But we are challenging the society by not getting married. We don’t want people to come to our wedding and comment on Laxmi's looks. The looks of a bride are most important for people. So we decided not to have any ceremony," said Alok.[14] Their families have accepted the relationship and also their decision not to have a ceremonial wedlock.[15]
Chhapaak, the film
Deepika Padukone is acting and producing a film based on her life. Meghana Gulzar is directing the film. The film is titled Chhapaak and is scheduled to release on 10th January, 2020.[16] [17]
Hunger strike and campaign against acid violence
Laxmi, along with other acid attack survivors started a hunger strike demanding immediate justice and rehabilitation for acid attack survivors. She had also written a poem describing her situation during the incident. While she was in U.S for receiving International Women of Courage award, she was praised by then U.S first lady Michelle Obama and others for her campaign against acid violence
She is the Founder of Stop Sale Acid, a campaign against acid violence and sale of acid. Laxmi started this campaign with #StopSaleAcid which garnered nation wide support. She recently received International Women Empowerment Award 2019 from IWES, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Unicef for her campaign Stop Sale Acid.[5] She is also the former director of Chhanv Foundation, a NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India.[6] Laxmi received a 2014 International Women of Courage award by US First Lady Michelle Obama.[1] She was also chosen as the NDTV Indian of the Year.[7]A movie is being made starring actress Deepika Padukone, which is inspired by her journey as an acid attack survivor.
Early life
Laxmi was born in New Delhi in a middle-class family.[3]She was approached by a man in his mind thirties.
Career
Laxmi started her career as a campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks campaign. She worked as a campaign coordinator in initial days. Soon, Laxmi became a voice of the survivors of Acid Attacks across world. She received multiple awards in India for her work to curb the sale of acid and to rehabilitate the survivors of acid attacks through her foundation. Now Laxmi started her own campaign for StopSaleAcid. As of June 2014 Laxmi hosts a television show, Udaan, on New Express.[7] In 2015 Laxmi became brand ambassador for women fashion company Viva N Diva.
Public interest litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court
Laxmi, whose face and other body parts were disfigured in the acid attack, had a PIL in 2006. A minor then, Laxmi was attacked with acid by three men near Tughlaq road in New Delhi as she had refused to marry Nadeem Khan aka Guddu, of the trio. Her PIL sought framing of a new law, or amendment to the existing criminal laws like IPC, Indian Evidence Act and CrPC for dealing with the offence, besides asking for compensation. She had also pleaded for a total ban on sale of acid, citing increasing number of incidents of such attacks on women across the country.[9][10]
During a hearing in April, the Centre had assured the Supreme Court of India that it will work with the state governments to formulate a plan before the next hearing on 9 July. However, it failed to do so, which angered the court. However, when the Centre failed to produce a plan, the Supreme Court warned that it will intervene and pass orders if the government failed to frame a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent chemical attacks. "Seriousness is not seen on the part of government in handling the issue," the bench headed by Justice RM Lodha had said. Earlier, in February, the court had directed the Centre to convene in six weeks a meeting of Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to hold discussion for enacting a law to regulate the sale of acids and a policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of such victims.[11]
Meanwhile, in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Laxmi and Rupa’s plea, thereby creating a fresh set of restrictions on the sale of acid. Under the new regulations, acid could not be sold to any individual below the age of 18 years. One is also required to furnish a photo identity card before buying acid. Laxmi claims that not much has changed on the ground, despite all the regulations. "Acid is freely available in shops. Our own volunteers have gone and purchased acid easily. In fact, I have myself purchased acid," she said. "We have launched a new initiative called ‘Shoot Acid’. By means of the Right to Information Act, we are trying to acquire data concerning the sale of acid in every district. We intend to present the information collected through this initiative before the Supreme Court to apprise them of the situation on the ground."[12]
Personal life
Laxmi was in a relationship with social activist Alok Dixit. However, she has been separated from her partner since 2015[13]. When they were together, Alok decided not to get married and instead opted to be in a live-in relationship. "We have decided to live together until we die. But we are challenging the society by not getting married. We don’t want people to come to our wedding and comment on Laxmi's looks. The looks of a bride are most important for people. So we decided not to have any ceremony," said Alok.[14] Their families have accepted the relationship and also their decision not to have a ceremonial wedlock.[15]
Chhapaak, the film
Deepika Padukone is acting and producing a film based on her life. Meghana Gulzar is directing the film. The film is titled Chhapaak and is scheduled to release on 10th January, 2020.[16] [17]
Hunger strike and campaign against acid violence
Laxmi, along with other acid attack survivors started a hunger strike demanding immediate justice and rehabilitation for acid attack survivors. She had also written a poem describing her situation during the incident. While she was in U.S for receiving International Women of Courage award, she was praised by then U.S first lady Michelle Obama and others for her campaign against acid violence
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