Time to Change Strategy: Irom Sharmila to End Fast, Contest Polls

Irom Sharmila reportedly will be contesting elections from Manipur.

Activist Irom Sharmila. (Photo: Reuters)

Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Sharmila, who had long been on a hunger fast against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, on Tuesday surprised people with her announcement that she will end her fast on 9 August, the next date of her court hearing.

Making the announcement in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal west, she further said that she will marry and contest the Manipur Assembly elections next year as an independent candidate.

It’s been sixteen years since I have been struggling and now I think the time has come to change my strategy. Since India is a democratic country and protest demonstration is not yielding any results, it seems political power is necessary to make changes. This doesn’t mean I’m giving up my struggle. I shall continue the struggle. In fact my fiance from UK will also move the UN from UK to lobby with India to appeal the draconian law. In fact I’m going to get married to him and settle down.

The 42-year-old activist has declined food or drink for the last 16 years, seeking repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. She is on forced nose feeding.

She began a hunger strike in November 2000, following the killing of 10 civilians by security forces. She was arrested by the Manipur government in 2000 under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits an attempt to commit suicide.

Irom Sharmila. (Photo: The Quint/Sunzu Bachaspatimayum)

Her sudden decision has taken even her associates and family members by surprise. Irom’s elder brother Singhajit, who has been with her throughout her struggle said he never knew she was going to terminate her fast.

I haven’t spoken to her in the last few days due to my bad health. I heard from others about her decision.

Sharmila’s brother Singhajit 

Sharmila’s long-time associate Babloo Loitongbam, Director of NGO Human Rights Alert Manipur, said he too was taken by surprise but can understand the reason behind her decision. He said:

If AFSPA has not been repealed in 15 years of her fast then it won’t happen in another 30 years also.

Exchanging letters with her British fiancee Desmond Coutinho is one of the few private joys Sharmila is allowed. (Photo: Facebook/IromSharmila)

In 2000, when the activist embarked on her hunger strike, she had also vowed to neither enter her house nor meet her mother till the government repealed AFSPA. Since then, she has met her mother Sakhi Devi only once when she was also admitted to the same hospital in 2009.

Nobody is sure what prompted her to take the decision. Her associates say her British boyfriend may have played a crucial role in ensuring that she breaks her fast.

Sharmila’s struggle has been at the heart of all protests against AFSPA in Manipur and the neighbouring Northeastern states.

Also Read: On Irom Sharmila’s Birthday: The Flesh and Blood Woman We Forgot

(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)