Veteran activist Lala Rukh's demise mourned
Lala Rukh was one of the most prominent members of the Women Action Forum
(Web Desk) - Lala Rukh, one of the founding members of Pakistan’s Women Action Forum (WAF) passed away on Friday at the age of 69 in Lahore. Her death has been mourned by all those who remember not just the artist and the teacher, but also a staunch rights activist. Lala Rukh had been diagnosed with cancer recently, and passed away at her residence in Lahore.
Lala Rukh has been long considered as one of the most prominent campaigners of the WAF and had also remained as head of the Art and History department at the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore. She had been most well known for being a voice for minorities as well as women, and for being one of those, who had protested against the military regime of General Zia ul Haq.
Lala Rukh’s death was met with sadness by many of her students, faculty members and fellow activists.
On social media, the activist’s demise was met with sorrow by her friends with many posting comments about her achievements and activism. Those who mourned also commented that although Lala may be no more, her work will live on and that with her loss, the women’s rights movement in Pakistan would also be affected. Additionally, organisations such as UN Women Pakistan also tweeted condolences.
Our condolences on the passing away of Lala Rukh, founding member of #Pakistan s Women s Action Forum (WAF).
— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) July 8, 2017
More: https://t.co/j26eOsuqCD pic.twitter.com/EF9MF1fbG6
WAF senior member lala Rukh Activist and Artist passed away..May her soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/ZiwgSF8KGW
— Fatima Atif (@FatimaHazara75) July 7, 2017
Women Action Forum has lost one of its founding member Lala Rukh. It s a huge loss to Pakistani women s rights movement. RIP Lala pic.twitter.com/xh3qfpCEJH
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) July 7, 2017
Users on Facebook also commented on Lala Rukh’s death with many saying how much they missed her. Sheema Kermani, the famous artist, stated in a recent Facebook post that people would always celebrate her courage and integrity in her fight for equality.