Irom Sharmila is the world’s longest hunger striker; having rejected food and water for ten long years. A noble achievement but something that should leave a lump in our throat. While the other leaders are going hammer and tongs about their high profile fasts and having close door meetings with the echelons of the government; there is one woman who has silently yet in a strong-willed manner fought a long ridden battle for ten long years.
Irom Chanu Sharmila, called the Iron Lady of Manipur is a civil rights activist, social worker, journalist and poet. The reason she has been on hunger strike is to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958; which she believes is responsible for violence in north-east part of India; particularly in Manipur.
On November 2 2000, in Maloma, a little town in Manipur, ten civilians fell to the bullets of Assam Rifles; a part of India’s paramilitary forces; while they were waiting at the bus stop. The incident became infamous as ‘Malom Massacre’. Sharmila, a 28 year old daughter of a veterinary worker, began to fast in protest of the killings. Actually, she would fast customarily every Thursday since childhood; but when the killing happens; it was a Thursday, too. She continued with the fast and has been doing ever since.
Irom Sharmila’s demand has been that the Indian government must repeal the AFSPA, which gives soldiers the right to detain any Manipuri citizen on the doubt of being a rebel. Three days after the strike, Irom was arrested by the police under section 309 of Indian Penal Code, as an ‘attempt to commit suicide’. Her health worsened quickly and the police gave her nasogastric intubation to keep her alive. Since then, the lady has been regularly released and then arrested under Section 309 an act with imprisonment up to one year or a fine, or both.
By 2006, Sharmila a modern icon of peaceful protest went to Raj Ghat to pay her tribute to her inspiration Mahatma Gandhi. She has written letters to the Prime Minister, the President and the Home Minister. Apart from a nomination to the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize by a woman’s organization called North-East Network in Guwhati, she has also been awarded the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
It is a sad thing that Sharmila has been ignored by the media, the government; her access to her friends, supporters and family have been denied. Human Rights Agencies and the UN have found that this law is continuously violating basic human rights and leading to various ills, exploitation and vengeful repercussions in the society. The center’s apathy towards the case and an indifferent attitude towards Irom Sharmila cannot be negated. There is a candle light prayer being organized on June 25 at 6pm to support the non-violent protest and relentless dedication of the Iron Woman of Manipur, Irom Sharmila. Please join the SAVE SHARMILA CAMPAIGN
Irom Chanu Sharmila, called the Iron Lady of Manipur is a civil rights activist, social worker, journalist and poet. The reason she has been on hunger strike is to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958; which she believes is responsible for violence in north-east part of India; particularly in Manipur.
On November 2 2000, in Maloma, a little town in Manipur, ten civilians fell to the bullets of Assam Rifles; a part of India’s paramilitary forces; while they were waiting at the bus stop. The incident became infamous as ‘Malom Massacre’. Sharmila, a 28 year old daughter of a veterinary worker, began to fast in protest of the killings. Actually, she would fast customarily every Thursday since childhood; but when the killing happens; it was a Thursday, too. She continued with the fast and has been doing ever since.
Irom Sharmila’s demand has been that the Indian government must repeal the AFSPA, which gives soldiers the right to detain any Manipuri citizen on the doubt of being a rebel. Three days after the strike, Irom was arrested by the police under section 309 of Indian Penal Code, as an ‘attempt to commit suicide’. Her health worsened quickly and the police gave her nasogastric intubation to keep her alive. Since then, the lady has been regularly released and then arrested under Section 309 an act with imprisonment up to one year or a fine, or both.
By 2006, Sharmila a modern icon of peaceful protest went to Raj Ghat to pay her tribute to her inspiration Mahatma Gandhi. She has written letters to the Prime Minister, the President and the Home Minister. Apart from a nomination to the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize by a woman’s organization called North-East Network in Guwhati, she has also been awarded the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
It is a sad thing that Sharmila has been ignored by the media, the government; her access to her friends, supporters and family have been denied. Human Rights Agencies and the UN have found that this law is continuously violating basic human rights and leading to various ills, exploitation and vengeful repercussions in the society. The center’s apathy towards the case and an indifferent attitude towards Irom Sharmila cannot be negated. There is a candle light prayer being organized on June 25 at 6pm to support the non-violent protest and relentless dedication of the Iron Woman of Manipur, Irom Sharmila. Please join the SAVE SHARMILA CAMPAIGN
