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{{short description|Indian acid attack survivor and activist (born 1990)}}
{{short description|Indian acid attack survivor (born 1990)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Laxmi Agarwal
| name              = Laxmi Agarwal
| image              = Laxmi of India (12935659283).jpg
| image              = Laxmi Agarwal 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Agarwal in Washington receiving an award
| caption            = Agarwal in Washington receiving an award, 2014
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1990|6|1}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1990|6|1|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| birth_place        =  
| nationality        = Indian
| organization      =  
| organization      = The Laxmi Foundation
| known_for          = Acid attack survivor
| known_for          = Stop Acid Sale
| spouse            =  
| spouse            = [[Alok Dixit]]
| children          = 1
| children          = 1 (daughter named Pihu)
}}
}}
'''Laxmi Agarwal ''' (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian [[acid attack]] survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host. In 2019, she received with the International Women Empowerment Award from the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]], the [[Government of India]], and [[UNICEF]] for her campaign of ''Stop Acid Sale''. In 2014, she received the [[International Women of Courage Award]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Michelle Obama honours acid attack victim Laxmi |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/michelle-obama-honours-acid-attack-victim-laxmi-1420069.html |work=Firstpost |date=5 March 2014}}</ref>


'''Laxmi Agarwal ''' (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian [[acid attack]] survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host.
== The attack ==
In 2005, when Agarwal was 15, a 32-year-old family friend proposed marriage to her.<ref name="NewslaundryChhapaak">{{cite news |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/01/09/news18-hindi-chhapaak-fake-news-deepika-padukone |archive-date=22 January 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122172200/https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/01/09/news18-hindi-chhapaak-fake-news-deepika-padukone |date=9 January 2025 |access-date=25 September 2025 |title=News18 Hindi claims Chhapaak was 'redubbed' to change acid attacker's name from Hindu to Muslim. They're wrong |publisher=[[Newslaundry]] |language=en-IN }}</ref><ref name="AltNewsChhapaak">{{cite news |last=Chaudhuri |first=Pooja |date=9 January 2020 |access-date=25 September 2025 |url=https://www.altnews.in/does-chhapaak-portray-acid-attack-convict-as-a-hindu-named-rajesh-no-false-claim/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=newpost |url-status=live |title=Does 'Chhapaak' portray acid attack convict as a Hindu named 'Rajesh'? No, false claim |publisher=[[Alt News]] |quote=‘Chhapaak’ is Padukone’s upcoming film inspired by the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal who was attacked by 32-year-old Naeem Khan in 2005. |archive-date=23 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223184322/https://www.altnews.in/does-chhapaak-portray-acid-attack-convict-as-a-hindu-named-rajesh-no-false-claim/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=newpost }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=19 February 2020 |title=Deepika Padukone dedicates first award for Chhapaak to Laxmi Agarwal for showing 'what beauty truly means' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deepika-padukone-dedicates-first-award-for-chhapaak-to-laxmi-agarwal-for-showing-what-beauty-truly-means/story-SFTucCxYQcwuiGp4oumnJM.html |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Ten months later, Agrawal was attacked with acid by him and his associate.<ref name="AltNewsChhapaak" />


Laxmi Agarwal was attacked in 2005 in New Delhi at the age of 15,
== Public interest litigation ==
In 2006, Agarwal filed a [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigation]] (PIL) in the [[Supreme Court of India]] seeking compensation and a total ban on the sale of acid across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agarwal |first=Laxmi |date=2020-01-10 |title=Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal: "My attacker thought he would leave me trapped in my house" |url=https://www.vogue.in/wellness/content/acid-attack-survivor-laxmi-agarwal-story-interview-deepika-padukone-chhapaak |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Vogue India |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=National Commission for Women |title=Rights, Laws, and Hope for Acid Attack Survivors |url=https://cdn.ncw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NCW-Acid-attack_Super_Final_Print_compressed.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251110164718/https://cdn.ncw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NCW-Acid-attack_Super_Final_Print_compressed.pdf |archive-date=2025-11-10}}</ref>


In 2019, she was honored with the International Women Empowerment Award from the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]], the [[Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation]] and [[UNICEF]] for her campaign of ''Stop Acid Sale''. In 2014, she received the [[International Women of Courage Award|International Women of Courage award]] at the hands of First Lady [[Michelle Obama]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Michelle Obama honours acid attack victim Laxmi -World News , Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/michelle-obama-honours-acid-attack-victim-laxmi-1420069.html |work=Firstpost |date=5 March 2014}}</ref> The movie ''[[Chhapaak]]'' is based on her life and stars [[Deepika Padukone]] in her role.
In July 2013, the Supreme Court responded to pleas, including the dismissal of Agarwal, by issuing guidelines to restrict the sale of acid.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Soibam Rocky |date=2023-08-13 |title=Survivors in dismay as Delhi High Court refused to ban acid sale |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/survivors-disappointed-as-hc-dismisses-plea-seeking-blanket-ban-on-acid-sale/article67191194.ece |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


== Early life and the attack ==
The court passed an order stating that acid could not be sold openly or without an ID proof. The court also declared a Rs 3 [[lakh]] compensation for future and past victims.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-07-18 |title=India Supreme Court orders curb on sales of acid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-23358264 |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Mohit |date=2013-07-18 |title=Laxmi vs. Union of India – (2014) 4 SCC 427 – (Acid attack compensation order) - One Law Street |url=https://onelawstreet.com/laxmi-vs-union-of-india-2014-4-scc-427-acid-attack-compensation-order/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Laxmi was born in [[New Delhi]] in a poor family.
 
In 2005, when 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've blamed her and stopped her studies. Ten months later, Laxmi was walking from Khan market at 10:45 in the morning when she received the same message from Naeem that he loves her and wants to marry her. She did not respond. In no time, she was attacked with acid by Kamran, Naeem's older brother, and his girlfriend, Rakhi. Kamran called Laxmi's name from behind while riding his motorcycle. When Laxmi looked behind as a response to her name, Rakhi threw acid directly at her face from the backseat. Laxmi fainted and after regaining consciousness, she tried to walk up and ask for help but met multiple road accidents. A man named Arun Singh called the police, but he saw her skin melting from the acid, 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 somehow got her in the back seat of his car. This later caused burn holes in the seat covers. He admitted her to 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. Four days after the attack, Naeem Khan was arrested, but was bailed out a month later. He married off immediately. However, after widespread protests and media attention, he was sentenced to prison for life.
 
== Public interest litigation in Supreme Court ==
Agarwal, whose face and other body parts were disfigured in the acid attack, had public interest litigation (PIL) in 2006. A minor then, she was attacked with acid by three men near [[Tughlaq road]] in [[New Delhi]] as she had refused to marry Naeem Khan, known as Gudda, one 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 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 a hearing in April, the Centre assured the [[Supreme Court of India]] that it would 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 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. "Seriousness is not seen on the part of the government in handling the issue," the bench headed by Justice RM Lodha 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 a discussion for enacting a law to regulate the sale of acids and policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of such victims.
 
Meanwhile, in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Agarwal and Rupa's{{who|date=January 2020}} 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.
 
Agarwal 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."


== Personal life==
== Personal life==
Laxmi Agarwal was in a relationship with social activist [[Alok Dixit]]. However, she has been separated from her partner since 2015, When they were together, Laxmi 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 society by not getting married. We don’t want people to come to our wedding and comment on my looks. The looks of a bride are most important for people. So we decided not to have any ceremony," said Laxmi. Their families have accepted the relationship and also their decision not to have a ceremonial wedlock.
Laxmi Agarwal was in a live-in relationship with social activist Alok Dixit, and the couple has separated in 2015. They have a daughter.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}
 
== 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.


== In popular culture==
== In popular culture==
She starred in the 2014 short documentary ''Newborns'' directed by [[Megha Ramaswamy]] as herself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newborns: A Gaze Within |url=https://indiaindependentfilms.com/2017/03/14/interview-newborns-megha-ramaswamy-gaze-within/ |website=India Independent Films |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=14 March 2017}}</ref>
She starred in the 2014 short documentary ''Newborns'' directed by [[Megha Ramaswamy]] as herself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newborns: A Gaze Within |url=https://indiaindependentfilms.com/2017/03/14/interview-newborns-megha-ramaswamy-gaze-within/ |website=India Independent Films |access-date=14 September 2021 |date=14 March 2017 |archive-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914110914/https://indiaindependentfilms.com/2017/03/14/interview-newborns-megha-ramaswamy-gaze-within/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The film ''[[Chhapaak]]'' is based on Agarwal's life story and was released on 10 January 2020.  [[Deepika Padukone]] played the role of Agarwal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deepika Padukone dedicates first award for Chhapaak to Laxmi Agarwal for showing ‘what beauty truly means’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deepika-padukone-dedicates-first-award-for-chhapaak-to-laxmi-agarwal-for-showing-what-beauty-truly-means/story-SFTucCxYQcwuiGp4oumnJM.html |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=19 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
''[[Chhapaak]]'' (2020), a Hindi-language drama film inspired by Agarwal's life story. The central character, Malti, is modeled on Agarwal, though the narrative is a dramatised account rather than a direct biopic. Prior to the film's release, Agarwal's lawyer Aparna Bhat filed a case claiming that her contributions in Agarwal's legal battle and activism were not acknowledged. In January 2020, the Delhi High Court directed the filmmakers to give her due credit, after which her name was added to the film's credits.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-27 |title=Gave credit to lawyer in Indian release of 'Chhapaak' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/gave-credit-to-lawyer-in-indian-release-of-chhapaak-fox-star-to-hc/articleshow/73666796.cms |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=IANS |date=2020-01-09 |title='Chhapaak' storm: Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer plans to sue makers of Deepika Padukone film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/chhapaak-storm-laxmi-agarwals-lawyer-plans-to-sue-makers-of-deepika-padukone-film/article30521018.ece |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:Acid attack victims]]
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[[Category:Indian women activists]]
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[[Category:People from New Delhi]]
[[Category:People from New Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian women poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:Poets from Delhi]]
[[Category:Poets from Delhi]]
[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]]
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[[Category:Women human rights activists]]
[[Category:Recipients of the International Women of Courage Award]]
[[Category:Women who received the International Women of Courage Award]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women poets]]

Latest revision as of 17:32, 23 March 2026


Laxmi Agarwal
Agarwal in Washington receiving an award, 2014
Born (1990-06-01) 1 June 1990 (age 36)
Known forAcid attack survivor
Children1

Laxmi Agarwal (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host. In 2019, she received with the International Women Empowerment Award from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Government of India, and UNICEF for her campaign of Stop Acid Sale. In 2014, she received the International Women of Courage Award.[1]

The attack[edit | edit source]

In 2005, when Agarwal was 15, a 32-year-old family friend proposed marriage to her.[2][3][4] Ten months later, Agrawal was attacked with acid by him and his associate.[3]

Public interest litigation[edit | edit source]

In 2006, Agarwal filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India seeking compensation and a total ban on the sale of acid across the country.[5][6]

In July 2013, the Supreme Court responded to pleas, including the dismissal of Agarwal, by issuing guidelines to restrict the sale of acid.[7]

The court passed an order stating that acid could not be sold openly or without an ID proof. The court also declared a Rs 3 lakh compensation for future and past victims.[8][9]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Laxmi Agarwal was in a live-in relationship with social activist Alok Dixit, and the couple has separated in 2015. They have a daughter.[citation needed]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

She starred in the 2014 short documentary Newborns directed by Megha Ramaswamy as herself.[10]

Chhapaak (2020), a Hindi-language drama film inspired by Agarwal's life story. The central character, Malti, is modeled on Agarwal, though the narrative is a dramatised account rather than a direct biopic. Prior to the film's release, Agarwal's lawyer Aparna Bhat filed a case claiming that her contributions in Agarwal's legal battle and activism were not acknowledged. In January 2020, the Delhi High Court directed the filmmakers to give her due credit, after which her name was added to the film's credits.[11][12]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Michelle Obama honours acid attack victim Laxmi". Firstpost. 5 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "News18 Hindi claims Chhapaak was 'redubbed' to change acid attacker's name from Hindu to Muslim. They're wrong". Newslaundry. 9 January 2025. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chaudhuri, Pooja (9 January 2020). "Does 'Chhapaak' portray acid attack convict as a Hindu named 'Rajesh'? No, false claim". Alt News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025. 'Chhapaak' is Padukone's upcoming film inspired by the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal who was attacked by 32-year-old Naeem Khan in 2005.
  4. ↑ "Deepika Padukone dedicates first award for Chhapaak to Laxmi Agarwal for showing 'what beauty truly means'". Hindustan Times. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Agarwal, Laxmi (10 January 2020). "Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal: "My attacker thought he would leave me trapped in my house"". Vogue India. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  6. ↑ National Commission for Women. "Rights, Laws, and Hope for Acid Attack Survivors" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Singh, Soibam Rocky (13 August 2023). "Survivors in dismay as Delhi High Court refused to ban acid sale". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "India Supreme Court orders curb on sales of acid". BBC News. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  9. ↑ Singh, Mohit (18 July 2013). "Laxmi vs. Union of India – (2014) 4 SCC 427 – (Acid attack compensation order) - One Law Street". Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Newborns: A Gaze Within". India Independent Films. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Gave credit to lawyer in Indian release of 'Chhapaak'". The Times of India. 27 January 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  12. ↑ IANS (9 January 2020). "'Chhapaak' storm: Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer plans to sue makers of Deepika Padukone film". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 October 2025.

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