Don’t You Have A Sharmila Within You?

By Ravi Nitesh

Sangai Express (http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-25987-don-t-you-have-a-sharmila-within-you/) 

When you talk about her, you automatically relate yourself with her, with her pain and struggle, with all the sufferings of her and this association happens without force, it is because somewhere your soul is same as her or as any other human being. This association with someone's pain and sufferings is based on the very nature of humanity because humanity is a virtue of being human and regardless of specific identity.

The continuous demand of Irom Sharmila through a non violent protest under which she adopted path of hunger protest and observing it since last 12 years, is itself a struggle that needs lot of power and self belief and self motivation. It is all towards your fight as an individual for the objective of welfare of a large group who are associated with you with the relation of humanity. When you write about her, when you hear about her and when you talk about her, its all about your contribution also in a larger struggle for the sake of justice. We all know about the cause for which she is on hunger protest. It is for the better administration, a rule of justice, a peaceful environment. The rule against which she is on protest is a draconian law in real terms. There were hundreds of examples where it can be proved that this rule named 'armed forces special powers act' violated the rights and attacked on humanity. She through her protest dedicated herself towards sacrifice as a protest. Her sacrifice is actually not about suicide (as claimed by rule of law of India), instead it is towards enriching the life of self and others with building a safe environment of living , of living with dignity as in true sense life without dignity and humanity is actually no life. We all must have to live our life for such causes in our own areas.

If you will see closely, you will understand that you too have same spirit the Sharmila has. When you will think, you will find that there is an automatic respect in your soul for her. You must had experience of your own struggle that you ever fought for a right cause at your home, school or work place and this fight of your life , though , you might suffered during your fight but it is sure that you had realized the need for this fight and the satisfaction after following your inner voice. If you would left the option to fight then you might feel guilty of not doing anything. It happens with everyone, our hearts sometime tell us to help someone, to fight something, to shout on , to raise our voice, to make our people and government more effective, and on the next instant, we again back to our life. Sharmila had the same feelings and emotions that you have, she is as like you as you are for yourself, she is a sister, daughter and fellow citizen. The only difference between you and Sharmila is that she fought and struggled for the cause for a long time and she did not come back to normal life. She became so motivated that she decided to live with dignity. Her soul became so pure for a specific purpose that she get diverted from all worldly affairs. It is the time for all of us, to identify a Sharmila within us and to think and to associate with the great cause of her. It is a fight that she is not fighting for herself instead for all of us who believe in justice.

It is a time to identifying our potential in our hearts and souls that make ourselves a follower of truth. It is a time to think about future generations and to contribute in building an atmosphere of fearless minds. Its not only fight of Manipur or other NE states or J&K, its not only fight of those who lost their persons in resulted this rule, instead it is a demand by the persons who believe in humanity and rights and justice for all. We all are living Sharmila in our heart because we are determined to support the Repeal AFSPA cause and moreover to the all and any cause that can enrich humanity and that can remove ill effects of present rules imposed by society or government at any place.

Join us at: savesharmila@gmail.com 

From:

Ravi Nitesh, New Delhi (INDIA)

www.twitter.com/ravinitesh | www.ravinitesh.blogspot.com | +91-995-890-7799

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IROM SHARMILA CAME TO DELHI

On 3rd March, Irom Sharmila came to delhi for a court hearing that was scheduled for 4th March. Several members from the Save Democracy Repeal Afspa Campaign had gone to recieve her at the IGI Airport. She was taken to the Manipur House where members of several organisations and Faisal Khan and Daniel Mung of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign were also present. Some of them had also interacted with her. Faisal Khan of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign had interacted with her. 

Irom Sharmila was accused under IPC 309 for committing "suicide". She had refused to plead guilty in the court. She said that she was not committing suicide. She said that she loves life and does not want to take her life. She remarked, "I value life and justice". 

The court had also permitted her 5 minutes to talk to the media. A large crowd of supporters had gathered outside the Patilala Court. They shouted anti-AFSPA slogans and shared experiences in the AFSPA-imposed states. The police had also man-handled the crowd several times. They were not allowed to enter the court. 

She was then taken back to the Manipur House and next day in the morning at 7, she has been taken back to Imphal. 

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FOR IROM SHARMILA

PRESS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FOR IROM SHARMILA

On 10th December, the world observes the International Human Rights Day and talks about protection and promotion of human rights. But here, in New Delhi, on the eve of Human Rights Day, a human chain was formed to showcase the plight of Irom Sharmila and the human rights violation caused by heavy militarization and the draconian act of Armed Forces Special Power Act or AFSPA.  

On the eve of Human Rights Day, volunteers of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign(SSSC), a nation-wide struggle to protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, a Manipuri human rights activist who has been on a hunger strike against AFSPA in Manipur for 12 years now, organized a human chain to at India Gate at 5 PM. SSSC appeals to the Government to open talks with her. For over a year, SSSC has been organizing public demonstrations, candle-light vigils, signature campaigns, caravans and awareness programmes in colleges across the nation and beyond.

The motive of the human chain was established by the organizers. Ravi Nitesh, one of the organizers, remarked that it is "a way to spread the word among the citizens about a fellow citizen. Irom Sharmila has been struggling for 12 years to argue for rights which are given to everyone else in the country".

To this, Mohammad Tanveer added that, "She is not just a citizen but a truth democrat. Her ongoing struggle shows her faith in the democratic institutions of the country. But the Government has chosen to neglect her non-violent and democratic voice. We ask why?"

Shaheen Muhammad, another organizer, argued that, "When the Government can talk to naxals and terrorists. Why can't they talk to someone who has been on a non-violent struggle for rights of people? It is shocking that in these 12 years, the Government has not sent even one delegation to meet her.

Pankaj Pathak stated that, "On human rights day, this human chain symbolizes another blot on the World's largest democracy.  We support Irom and her struggle as we believe that every citizen of this country deserves the same rights and privileges."

Another volunteer, Shekhar Jain, argued that, "For over a year, we have been organizing activities to spread the word about her struggle and we have hardly come across a person who has been unsympathetic towards her struggle and her people. So the logic of the Government that people are unsympathetic and insensitive towards North-east states is quite a myth."

Even here, when the human chain was formed, many from the crowds joined them. The volunteers had also distributed pamphlets with basic information on her and her struggle. 

One of those who joined the chain remarked, "I was shocked to hear about her. This is unimaginable. How can someone be on a hunger-strike for 12 years? This Government is insensitive and discriminatory."

"It is true that we have always been so ignorant about the North-East but this does not mean that we are insensitive. This is really shocking that such a thing is happening in our own country. Why do we blame other countries for human rights discrimination then?" added another.

A college student commented, "Is this the reality of a diverse nation? We are one and we must enjoy equal rights". 

The Human chain turned out to be another mechanism to gather support for Irom Sharmila and give her the hope that she is not alone in her struggle.

Regards,

Volunteers of ''SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN''

(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)

Article-series on Irom: यह चुप्पी इरोम की नहीं, लोकतंत्र की हार है!

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's an article in Hindi: 

यह चुप्पी इरोम की नहीं, लोकतंत्र की हार है!

- अशोक कुमार पाण्डेय

मणिपुर में सरकारी अस्पताल में जबरन नलियों के सहारे दिए जा रहे भोजन के भरोसे चलती साँसों, क्षीण काया और अपनी अदम्य जीजिविषा की प्रतीक मुस्कराहट ओढ़े इरोम शर्मिला की तस्वीर भारत के महान लोकतंत्र और जगमगाती अर्थव्यवस्था के चहरे पर एक गहरे प्रश्नवाचक चिन्ह की तरह दिखाई देती है| बारह वर्षों से अपनी ज़िद और सिक्किम की जनता के प्रति अपने अगाध स्नेह तथा भारतीय सेना के सशस्त्र सैन्य विशेषाधिकार कानून (AFSPA)  के तहत ज़ारी अमानवीय दमन के खिलाफ़ वह अनशन पर हैं| लेकिन दिल्ली के रामलीला मैदानों पर ज़ारी अनशनों से पिघल जाने वाली सरकारें हों या उबल जाने वाली मीडिया या फिर मचल जाने वाला हमारा ‘ग्रेट इन्डियन मिडल क्लास’, इस एक दशक के व्रत के दौरान उसने अक्सर चुप रहकर नज़रअंदाज करने का विकल्प ही चुना है| उत्तरपूर्व हो की कश्मीर या अन्य उत्पीड़ित राष्ट्रीयताएँ, भारतीय मुख्यधारा की रूचि बस ‘अविभाज्य अंग’ होने तक ही सीमित है और सारी सक्रियता इस अविभाज्यता को एन-केन प्रकारेण बचाए रखने तक| उन अभिशप्त हिस्सों के नागरिकों के दुःख-दर्द, उनकी मानवीय इच्छायें तथा लोकतांत्रिक आकांक्षायें और उनकी आवाज़ भारतीय शासक वर्ग की चिंताओं का हिस्सा कभी नहीं बन पाते|

डेढ़ सौ सालों के लम्बे औपनिवेशिक शासन में अंग्रेजी हुकूमत से इस महाद्वीप की उत्पीड़ित जनता के हर हिस्से ने तीखी लड़ाई लड़ी थी| सूदूर उत्तर-पूर्व में भी अंग्रेजी शासन के खिलाफ़ लंबा और फैसलाकुन संघर्ष चला था| अंग्रेजी शासन के पहले स्वतंत्र रहे इन राज्यों ने आज़ादी के बाद एक लोकतांत्रिक, शांतिपूर्ण, सेकुलर और समतामूलक समाज के निर्माण के स्वप्न के साथ भारतीय लोकतंत्र का हिस्सा बनना स्वीकार किया था| आज़ादी उनके लिए उन स्वप्नों को साकार होता देख पाने के अवसर के रूप में आई थी| कश्मीर में शेख अब्दुल्ला के नेतृत्व वाले नेशनल कांफ्रेंस ने कश्मीर के तात्कालिक डोगरा शासक हरि सिंह के स्वतंत्र राज्य बनाये रखने के और मीर वायज के बरक्स एक लोकतांत्रिक और सेकुलर स्टेट बनाने के पक्ष में आन्दोलन चलाया और इसी आकांक्षा के साथ भारतीय राज्य को पाकिस्तान के सामंती राज्य की जगह चुना| यहाँ यह बता देना उचित ही होगा की ठीक इसी समय मुस्लिम और हिन्दू कट्टरपंथी राजा के साथ सहयोग कर रहे थे| यह किस्सा कई अलग-अलग पूर्व रियासतों में दुहराया गया, लेकिन जनता की ताकतों ने अपना पक्ष बेहतरी के लिए चुना और उसके लिए बलिदान भी दिए|

खैर, बात मणिपुर की हो रही थी और मणिपुर का कई दूसरे उत्तर-पूर्वी राज्यों की ही तरह थोड़ा अलग किस्सा है| मणिपुर अपने इतिहास में कभी भी भारतीय केन्द्रीय शासन व्यवस्था का हिस्सा नहीं रहा| चाहे वह मुगलों का राज्य हो, या उसके पहले सम्राट अशोक या चन्द्रगुप्त का समय, यह क्षेत्र हमेशा एक स्वतन्त्र राज्य रहा| 1891 में अंग्रजी प्रभुत्व में आने के बाद यह औपनिवेशिक भारत का हिस्सा बना| १९४२ में द्वितीय विश्वयुद्ध में यहाँ के तत्कालीन राजा बोधचंद्र ने युद्ध में अंग्रेजों का साथ देने का आह्वान किया और फरवरी १९४२ में नेताजी सुभास चन्द्र बोस की आजाद हिंद फ़ौज ने इम्फाल पर भयावह बमबारी के बाद कब्जा कर लिया| इस बमबारी में राज्य के लगभग सभी प्रमुख प्रशासक तथा व्यापारी मारे गए और पूरा इम्फाल वीरान हो गया| भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप के इतिहास में पहली बार जनरल मलिक ने यहाँ आज़ाद हिंद फ़ौज का झंडा फहराया| युद्ध के बाद राजा और दूसरे लोग लौटे तो लेकिन यहाँ लोकतंत्र की मांग शुरू हो चुकी थी| राजा ने नया संविधान बनवाया और अपने एक भाई को प्रधानमन्त्री नियुक्त किया| भारत की आजादी के बाद उन्होंने यहाँ चुनाव की घोषणा की और उस चुनाव में अन्य पार्टियों के अलावा कांग्रेस पार्टी ने भी हिस्सा लिया| प्रजा शान्ति और कृषक सभा की सरकार चुनी गयी तथा राजा के भाई का मुख्यमंत्री बनना तय हुआ| लेकिन इसी बीच राजा को शिलांग बुलाया गया और अगर उनकी माने तो बन्दूक की नोंक पर उनसे भारतीय राज्य में विलय के दस्तावेज़ पर हस्ताक्षर करा लिए गए| एक साल के भीतर ही जब इस नयी सरकार को सत्ता सौंपने की तैयारी चल रही थी तो इसे भंग कर दिया गया और रावल अमर सिंह मणिपुर के पहले भारतीय चीफ कमिश्नर बनाए गए| १९५६ में इसे एक केंद्र शासित प्रदेश का दर्ज़ा दिया गया और बाद में १९७२ में पूर्ण राज्य का| मणिपुर में अलगाववादी आन्दोलनों का इतिहास भारतीय राज्य में उसके विलय जितना ही पुराना है|

इस अलगाववादी आन्दोलन के बावजूद १९७८ तक इसका राज्य में कोई बड़ा आधार नहीं था| लेकिन भारतीय राज्य में विलय के साथ ही १९५८ में बने ‘सशस्त्र सेना विशेषाधिकार नियम’ के तहत मणिपुर में सेना की तैनाती और राज्य की आकांक्षाओं के अनुरूप विकास कार्यों को संपन्न करा सकने की अक्षमता ने इस राज्य में अलगाववादी आन्दोलन के लिए खाद-पानी का काम किया| भारतीय राज्य में जबरन विलय को लेकर जो असंतोष था वह अकूत अधिकार प्राप्त सेना के दमन के चलते और तेज़ी से फैला तथा स्वतन्त्र मणिपुर राज्य की मांग को लेकर अलग-अलग तरह के तमाम आन्दोलन मणिपुर में फ़ैल गए| चार मार्च, २०१२ में ज़ारी अपनी एक रिपोर्ट में ह्यूमन राईट वाच संस्था का स्पष्ट मानना है की मणिपुर में फैले आतंकवाद के पीछे सेना का दमन है| जैसे-जैसे अलगाववादी आन्दोलन जड़ पकड़ते गए यह दमन बढ़ता ही गया और बच्चे, बूढ़े, औरतें सब इसकी जद में आते चले गए|

ऐसी ही एक घटना में बस स्टाप पर प्रतीक्षा कर रहे दस लोगों की ह्त्या के विरोध में उस वक़्त एक मानवाधिकार समूह ‘ह्यूमन राइट्स एलर्ट’ में काम कर रही तथा कवियत्री इरोम ने अपना अनशन शुरू किया था| उस घटना के बाद एक कागज़ पर उन्होंने लिखा – शांति का स्रोत क्या है और इसका अंत क्या है? अगले दिन अपनी माँ के हाथों पकाया भोजन खाने के बाद वह अनशन पर बैठ गयीं| यह इस दमन के प्रतिरोध का गांधीवादी तरीका था| उनकी मांग स्पष्ट थी – सशस्त्र सैन्य विशेषाधिकार कानून को वापस लिया जाय| ज़िद ऐसी की उन्होंने दांत साफ़ करने के लिए भी रूई का सहारा लिया ताकि पानी की एक बूँद भी शरीर में न जाए| लेकिन उसकी इस ज़िद का सम्मान करने तथा उनसे बात करने की जगह  अनशन शुरू करने के अगले ही दिन, तीन नवम्बर २००० को मणिपुर पुलिस ने उन्हें आत्महत्या के प्रयास के आरोप में गिरफ्तार कर लिया और तब से अब तक इसी क़ानून के तहत बिना किसी पेशी या मुक़दमे के उन्हें गिरफ्तारी में रखा गया है| ज्ञातव्य है की इस आरोप में किसी को भी एक साल से अधिक गिरफ्तार नहीं रखा जा सकता|

आज उनके अनशन के बारह साल पूरा हो जाने पर भी कहीं कोई हलचल दिखाई नहीं देती| इसे क्या कहा जाय? सरकार की बेरुखी या गांधीवादी तरीके की असफलता? सबसे ज़्यादा खलने वाली बात है मीडिया और बौद्धिक वर्ग की चुप्पी| यह चुप्पी इरोम की नहीं, दरअसल हमारे लोकतंत्र की हार है|    

This is an article written by Ashok Kumar Pandey, a social activist and poet from Gwalior. He is also a part of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.  

Twelfth Article in the article-series on Irom: Persevering for Victory of Belief

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's the twelfth and final article:

Persevering for Victory of Belief

By Manish Kumar

I don’t know from where to begin and so let me begin with a name- Irom Sharmila Chanu. In many ways, this name represents the collective effort of the people of Manipur. It strikes in one’s mind the idea of non-violence and peaceful protest. Yes, she had been on a fast for the last 12 years against the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), demanding that this draconian piece of legislation be removed urgently. AFSPA is in force in almost all north eastern states of India but it is in Manipur that the inhumane face of this law is most manifest. Under AFSPA, there have been gross violations of human rights in north eastern states of India and Sharmila is just one victim. AFSPA totally shatters the human dignity and questions one’s basic right to live peacefully and happily.

Sometime back, I was discussing the AFSPA with a friend of mine who hails from Manipur. He accepted that people live there in a constant fear of both, the military and the militants. He had planned on going home for Christmas but when he called up his parents in Imphal, they suggested that he stay in the Institute where he is studying because a lot of violence and gunfire was going on between the military and the militants and even between different militant groups. Long hair, funky toned jeans or traditional rural dress are reasons enough to be subjected to questioning by the military. Due to AFSPA, many have been wrongfully arrested and fake encounters have become common place. He said people are not allowed to organize seminars and councils and if you have the temerity to organize one, your life is in danger. Several people, many young men and women included, have been arrested on this charge. Bombing and shooting has become the norm. The value for human life is zero; life starts late and day ends early even in the festive seasons. Extra Judicial Deaths are happening regularly, abusive language and misuse of authority prevails on daily basis but no one is listening.

AFSPA also ensures that infrastructural development never reaches the North-East. For example, BSNL is the only company allowed to run and operate a telephone network in this part of the country. Unemployment is high and statistics related to education are not heartening either. Most importantly, there is no strong body to blow the whistle at the exploitation of human rights. Policy makers have totally failed to understand the root of the problem.

AFSPA seems to be primarily a strategy for fear-mongering by the government and one has to say that it has succeeded. It has to be removed; this is no way to rule. AFSPA often evades sense and even pushes more people to militancy. In a way AFSPA is a driving force behind militancy as the killing of innocent people and the limitless torture spur more of the youth to seek a violent revenge. As almost all constitutional remedies fail them, they swear to answer blood with blood.

AFSPA suppresses people and has been used as a convenient strategy by the government to hold a strong position against the north eastern states, which have been demanding for sovereignty and autonomy since Independence. Perhaps, the rest of India should listen to Sharmila. There are various ways by which India can show concern to north eastern states like recognition, reinforcement, development, care and attention towards it’s people.

Lastly, I just want to say that 12 years is a very long time and the government should realize this and take positive steps towards Irom Sharmila and her demands and the people of Manipur. NHRC and other human rights looking bodies should also take initiative and direct the government of India to react resolve this concern as soon as possible.

Manish Kumar is a student at IIT-Madras. He is a volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. He can be mailed at manishiit.kumar14@gmail.com

Also published at: http://www.countercurrents.org/mkumar051112.htm

Eleventh Article in the article series - The Iron Lady

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's the eleventh article:

The Iron Lady

By Julius Tongbram

Truth is the first casualty of war. No exception. What happens out in the land of the Kangleicha’s now is a shameful history of anger, lies and empty promises.

Who is to be blamed? That is the question everyone ponders upon. Only a handful seems to be bothered to ask what lies ahead. Only a handful seems to care enough to look around for a solution. There are many to be blamed. It ranges from each one of us all the way to the so-called elected bodies who are supposed to represent “The People”.

This time every year, we vent our anger and disappointment in manners that is of no help to the cause. Those few who try and put it into action are hopelessly helpless and out of options. In the land of Kangleicha’s, home to warriors who fought for their land countless times against foreign hands, lingers a woman fighting relentlessly for twelve years. Here we are, talking and writing about her. Here we are, sitting cosily in our homes and writing a few lines to sing praises of her.

Sadly, that is all that we can do. Why? Because we aren’t made of what she is made of. There she lies on a hospital bed fighting for us. Silent. Resolved. Patient. Faithful. If she falls, blames fall in our hands. There will probably be a pandemonium for the next few days. Things could change with that surge of anger and force.

There would be one question that would come to my mind then. Why have we been silent for so long while she fights a long and lonely battle for all of us?

There are many ifs and buts that will come into place to discuss the situation in hand. However, few seem to consider humanity and compassion as a matter of concern. One cannot describe the magnitude of the indifference and disregard that has been meted out by each one of us towards her plight. It is only left to time now.

I can’t say or do anything differently to put this dilemma to an end. Unfortunately, the fate of Kangleicha’s future is tied to her now whether one wants to accept it or not. What saddens me the most is that there is very little hope to end this anytime soon and work towards a brighter future for those who are affected by this plague of fear, uncertainty and indecision.

They say, miracles do happen at the most unexpected of times. We, Kangleicha’s could use one now.

Julius Tongbram is a MBA student from Bangalore. He is the Guwahati co-ordinator for Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. He can be mailed at j.tongbram@yahoo.com

Also published at http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.The_Irom_Lady

http://www.countercurrents.org/tongbram041112.htm

Tenth Article on Irom Sharmila: IN HOPE OF SAVING “THE SAVIOUR OF HOPE”...

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's the tenth article:


IN HOPE OF SAVING “THE SAVIOUR OF HOPE”... 
By Mouli Banerjee

Each second resounds in my wristwatch tonight- a click and a click and a click further into time, a moment and a moment and another moment lost; a world in need, crying out for change, here I am, in my feeble attempt to contribute, staring at the computer screen, wondering where to begin. The room is silent and pregnant with poignant thoughts. At a friend’s suggestion, I have prepared myself to write an article on Irom Sharmila. My regimented mind, trained to think in terms of pointers and academic discussions, had involuntarily made a list of things to say about her. But such is the power of an existence like hers, way above the mortal ordinariness that defines the life of someone like me, that my silly mental bullet-points blur into each other till in the force of all that Irom Sharmila stands for, each thought melts into another and floods my brain; all that is left is a river of emotions.

The Iron Lady of Manipur, to use the clichéd phrase now identified with Irom Sharmila, has been on a fast since November 5, 2000. She has written to the highest authorities in the country, she has personally met dignitaries who have all promised her their support, she has marched to iconic landmarks to direct public attention to her uniquely resilient protest. All of this, for one straightforward demand that hasn’t wavered over twelve years- the repealing of AFSPA. Her protest came into the limelight for most people in my generation through the comparision of her fast to anti-corruption protests led by Anna Hazare and his team. To question or justify the validity of that particular movement would require digressing into unrelated territories, but one must note that as far as resilience and fasting was concerned, Irom Sharmila’s dedication to her cause was way superior to that of her counterparts in the anti-corruption movement. And yet, not only did the media focus its attentions on the movement led by Anna Hazare, but the movement itself proved to be a political game-changer for India, with the Ruling Party cowering under the pressures of the protesting public and the Opposition sweeping in to declare its sympathies with it.

I feel that this is relevant to the case of Irom Sharmila in two ways, as a glimmer of hope and a cause of despair as well. Hope perhaps resides in the fact that the Indian society is evidently capable of being an agent of change, if it so chooses. The cause of despair, quite obviously in this case, is that for them, the bitter, painful political statement of Irom Sharmila is perhaps nothing but a unique piece of news. The ones who sympathise with her too are perhaps only move to a state of awe but nothing more ensues out of it.
As opposed to teams of powerful men and women creating rallies for their cause, here is a woman, an ordinary woman, who decided one morning to fight for not just her own rights but the rights of her people. Here is a woman who is also a sister, a daughter and had aspirations like any other twenty-eight year old would, and she put all her ordinary dreams on hold in order to fulfill a greater destiny, to bear a light for others to follow. Here is a woman who declared a hunger strike twelve years ago for a particular cause and has stuck by her resolve.

As I write on at this moment, emotions rule my fingers and I’ll not deny, that there are indeed times when the cynic in me slowly speaks up, reminding me that given the history of the Indian State, that in spite of everything, the AFSPA will perhaps not be repealed, that it is really the poetry of the lost cause that appeals to the futile imaginations of a stagnated public that constitutes this nation. And then just as I encounter such thoughts, I remind myself that life is much, much more than cynicism. That Irom Sharmila’s protest is not one of despair; it is one of pure hope, something that still believes in appealing to a human sense of compassion and justice. Every day, she works a little further towards her goal, whether it is in her stubborn determination to continue fasting or her recent refusal of any awards till the AFSPA be repealed. She need not make a political statement at a press meet- her entire existence itself is a political protest of the highest order. Not all of us perhaps can be as extraordinary in our courage, but if she cannot inspire us to bring about a change in whatever little way possible, nothing perhaps can.

When I think of her and her hopes, I’m reminded of Joseph Conrad’s words-
“I remember my youth and the feeling that will never come back any more- the feeling that I could last forever, outlast the sea, the earth and all men… the triumphant conviction of strength, the heart of life in the handful of dust, the glow in the heart that with every year grows cold, grows small, and expires- and expires too soon, too soon- before life itself!”

Before I can claim to contribute to save Sharmila, I must admit that she has saved me, by inspiring me with a purpose. Here is a woman who has sacrificed her youth for her people, and here’s hoping that the hope doesn’t leave her ever. Here’s hoping that the people rise up in support, inspired, to keep the torch of human rights she has lit, burning and alive.

Mouli Banerjee is enrolled in the MA program at St. Stephens college, DU. She is a volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. 

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/banerjee031112.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.In_Hope_Of_Saving_The_Saviour_Of_Hope