October 10: She is an embodiment of woman power in the Northeast.
Looking at her face, it is difficult to gauge the amount of
determination and perseverance that the “Iron Lady of Manipur”
possesses. On the day when Irom Sharmila Chanu was packing her bags
from Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Hospital in
Imphal to a new destination, Northeast Today caught up with her for an
exclusive interview. During a candid conversation, Sharmila spoke her
heart out on various aspects and her personal life. Here is the story
about the woman who continues to provide food for thought for millions
of people across the globe.
In 2000, when a young ladystarted her
fast against the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),
not many people imagined that it would last so long. Irom Sharmila, who
was then a member of the local human rights group, made up her mind to
carry forward her mission against the Army Act in the backdrop of
Malom Massacre, in which 10 innocent civilians were gunned down by the
Assam Rifles. After the incident, she has been sacrificing her personal
life for the greater good of the society.
Sixteen years of
fasting for a single cause and yet the democratic set-up turned down
her appeal every time. Across the globe, recognition and admiration are
pouring in for her and she is still going strong with her sole motive
of appealing the government to remove the AFSPA. But when she had
decided to quit her fast and join politics instead in pursuit of the
same goal, there is a distasteful reaction from the people of Manipur.
There
are apprehensions surrounding the landmark decision. Birendra (name
changed), a self-employed youth from Imphal, said, “I do not know… she
is saying that she wants to marry a guy from abroad. She is also saying
that she wants to join politics. I am a bit confused on the recent
development. Don’t really know what would be its outcome.”
And
opinions are equally divided. Ravi Koijam, a bank-er, said, “It is her
independent decision and we should respect her decision. She is also a
human being and we cannot impose our ideas on her. For the past 16
years, she had sacrificed for a good cause and when her voice is not
heard she would definitely opt for a change. Sixteen years is a long
time.”
My fast was turning out to be a supreme sacrifice. I don’t
want to end up my struggle with only people remembering me or erecting
statues of me without achieving the goal.
Desmond Coutinho is a
heart patient and he is currently undergoing treatment after a heart
attack on July 17, 2016. He underwent a serious heart treatment in
2001, where he had to undergo a bypass surgery in all the four chambers
of his heart. So, I am a little worried about his health condition
rather than anything else.
Sharmila is an icon, a symbol of
courage in fighting the ‘draconian Army Act’, which empowers the Indian
Army to shoot and kill anybody even on the ground of suspicion of
being a militant. During the years of her fast, there have been debates
on AFSPA even as the Central and state governments stood adamant on
the controversial Act. The ‘disturbed area’ tag of Manipur is still
intact and the debate on imposing AFSPA in a disturb area has no impact
on the Central government.
The Iron Lady gave up her fast on
August 9 this year with a prior announcement on July 16. In an
exclusive tit-a-tat with the Northeast Today, Sharmila affirmed that she
had made the right decision. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
NET:
First thing first: Why have you decided to quit fasting? And from when
did you start thinking about it? Any specific reason or incident
behind?
Sharmila: I want to be successful in my struggle
during my lifetime. I had started feeling like a living martyr and
people also started idolising me. I wanted to awaken self-realisation
among the people of Manipur, a trouble-torn state, since the past few
decades. My fast was turning out to be a supreme sacrifice. I don’t
want to end up my struggle with only people remembering me or erecting
statues of me without achieving the goal.
NET: The people of
Manipur are polarised over your decision. A section of people from your
state are upset with your decision to join politics. Do you have
anything to say?
Sharmila: Why would people protest if the
democratic set-up delivered properly? The democratic voice in Manipur
is getting subdued. People should stand against muscle and money power
often used by the politician with less determination in the electoral
politics. I strongly feel if the head of the state takes a stand
against AFSPA, there is a possibility of revoking the draconian Act
from the state. I want to restore power given to the common people in a
democracy.
NET: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has offered to field
you as chief ministerial candidate. Are you considering any offer from
any party?
Sharmila: I would love to be an independent
candidate. I do not want to join any party. Political parties have
their own agenda. I also wish to take my own decisions and free from
any influence. I want the people, instead of a political party, to
support me as the chief ministerial candidate.
I actually want
the public to give the mandate. If I become the head of the state, I
can expose the sentiment of the people. Even when we are not heard of,
we could start non-cooperation movements, subsequently to give an
integral touch of the nation. The Centre will act and we could be
heard. They will try to sync with us and that is where we can
negotiate.
NET: Even after 16 years of struggle against the
‘draconian’ military law, you failed to move the people in the power
corridor. Now, under the same democratic set-up, how will you achieve
your goal?
Sharmila: I have apprehensions that even the civil
society organizations of our state have fallen prey to money power. I
feel everyone in Manipur should unite to save the democracy. The state
government also lacks vision for development of the state. So, it’s
high time for us to take a stand.
Like me, the people of Manipur
are also being trapped. I want to bring change to the society with new
aspirations and strategy. The people of Manipur have been suffering
like me and we need to break the shackles. The politics must lie in the
hands of the people.
NET: A stand against AFSPA has been a major
uniting force with you becoming an icon for that. Don’t you think that
your decision will break the semblance of unity in the region?
Sharmila:
My democratic protest has failed to deliver justice; however, I’m
craving for its remedy. For democratic protests to be fruitful, people
need democratic governance, which is lacking in the state. The Centre
has also its colonial approach towards the Northeastern region. The
growing decay in the democratic set-ups will curtail the rights people
in the region. I am more inclined to protecting democracy for a more
humane approach towards everything.
North East Forum for
International Solidarity has invited me for a mass campaign against
AFSPA at the national level. I would definitely love to be a part of
the initiative. They asked me a suitable time which I have not decided.
Besides,
I am participating in the Global Youth Peace Festival which is
scheduled to be held at Chandigarh from September 27. I think it is a
good platform and I was also informed that representatives from 20
different countries are participating in the peace festival. I will be
speaking during the function.
NET: There were reports that you
want to settle down along with working for the people. What are your
immediate plans? Are you getting married soon?
Sharmila: I have
not communicated with him (Desmond) for long. The last time I wrote a
letter to him was long ago. However, recently there was a slight
communication from one of his best friends who lives in London. His
friend sent me a message through Red Cross Society Manipur Branch and I
replied. They know my current situation.
Desmond Coutinho is a
heart patient and he is currently undergoing treatment after a heart
attack on July 17, 2016. He underwent a serious heart treatment in 2001,
where he had to undergo a bypass surgery in all the four chambers of
his heart. So, I am a little worried about his health condition rather
than anything else.
NET: How do you feel after returning to ‘normal’ life? How are you adapting at the moment?
Sharmila:
I feel like I am growing up with new experiences in life, like an
individual growing up from youthfulness to maturity. I am adapting and
trying to be in tune with the society. I have to grow old with the given
social environment. At the personal level it could be term as a hard
time.
NET: Would you please share with us the latest poem that you have written?
Sharmila:
I have not written poems for a long time. The poem I wrote in 2008 for
students and youth titled Paomen has 538 lines. I had always wished
that I would read out the poem to the students over a cup of tea.
Another poem with 1010 lines, which I wrote on the social issue and
painted the global bindings, was translated and published. At the
moment, I would like to recall these two poems.
Sharmila met her
mother at the hospital and cried when she heard the news that her
brother was not allowed meeting her. Youth of the state are also
supporting the Facebook campaign hailing Sharmila’s decision. While
leaving JNIMS Hospital, she was assisted by volunteers who cook for
her. Sharmila divulged that she wants to stay at an ashram at Langol in
the Imphal West and she would like to go to Ukhrul to meet her
supporter and others in her new endeavor.
The Breaking News
It
was a historic moment as the anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila
finally broke her fast in front of the media at JNIMS Hospital campus.
Although the decision invited criticism from several corners, it was a
very emotional moment for Sharmila, who didn’t consume a single morsel
of food or drop of water through her mouth for 16 years, as the dab of
honey was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
Once the
quintessential press conference was over, Sharmila reportedly went to
the residence of former director health Keisamthong Laishom Leirak.
However, not pleased with her decision to break her fast, the locals of
Keisamthong denied her entry. From there she asked the police team to
escort her to Shamu Makhong at Kwairamband. Unfortunately, women there
also objected her presence at the area.
Having rejected from
several places where she went after being released from judicial
custody, Sharmila had to return to JNIMS security ward. Finally she was
taken back to her old room at JNIMS Hospital. Later Indian Red Cross
Society, (IRCS) Manipur gave her shelter.
“I will accept the offer
(from Red Cross) happily. I would like to thank the society for their
kindness and willingness to help me after I was turned back from many
places,” Sharmila said.
Voice of dissent
Leaders of
Sharmila Kanba Lup (Save Sharmila Campaign) dissolved the citizen
conglomerate, but vowed to continue the fight against the draconian
AFSPA. After announcing the dissolution of the Lup, leaders of the
organization pulled down one of the banners carrying Sharmila’s photo at
its office located at Porompat, Imphal East to mark end of the
organization.
Talking to reporters, Momon said, the Lup was formed
to support Sharmila in her struggle to get AFSPA repealed. “Since
Sharmila has decided to enter electoral politics, we can no longer
support her political aspiration as our organization is an apolitical
one. Therefore, we are dissolving the Lup”, Momon said.
Some
members of thr Joint Committee on the Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS)
also voiced their concern over Sharmila joining politics. “We are a
little perplexed as Sharmila made her decision to join politics. We are
not happy with her decision. She should have carried forward her
mission against the draconian Army Act,” said one of the members of
JCILPS strictly under the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile,
Arambam Robita Leima, a mother of two girls, launched her
fast-unto-death in Imphal West district demanding repeal of AFSPA and
for implementation of ILP system in the state. Robita said she has deep
regards for Irom Sharmila and now wanted to continue her fight against
AFSPA.
Support for Sharmila
Despite widespread
“dismay” at her decision to contest the election and get married,
Sharmila is confident that something positive would come out of her
decision to break the fast and contest the election. She had announced
that she would fight Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh at his home turf
of Thoubal constituency in Thoubal district. Support for Sharmila has
poured in from different sections of the society.
Social activist
turned politician, Medha Patkar, invited Sharmila to join her in her
‘People’s movement’ against state repression, and apathy of the world.
In a letter addressed to Sharmila, Patkar said, “I congratulate her on
her decision to seek a new path, a new strategy to take forwards the
struggle against AFSPA.” Actress Renuka Shahane appealed to Irom
Sharmila to stay with her in Mumbai. “If you have no place that is
willing to accept you please stay with me in Mumbai, it will be an
honour,” Shahane said.
In Retrospect
Although
Sharmila’s decision to end her fast surprised many, time and again, she
said she didn’t simply want to be a martyr. Those who have criticized
her must know that after all she is a also human being and she has the
liberty to lead a personal life. So instead of criticizing her, they
should follow the path created by the Iron Lady to fulfill her
aspirations.
It needs a lot of grit and determination to sit on a
hunger strike for 16 long years and that too almost remaining in
isolation. The courageous lady deserves respect and appreciation for her
bold stand. Therefore, she should be gracefully allowed to enter into
her private life.
Moreover, Sharmila’s stand on AFSPA has
remained the same. She wants to battle it out by contesting in the
upcoming Manipur elections. What is the harm in it? This is clearly
just a change in the strategy. This political discourse needs to be
looked at from a different perspectives. For this, Sharmila must be
given time and space. And more than anything else, she needs affection
of the people at this crucial juncture.
As Babloo Loitangbam, a
human right activist of Manipur, puts it, “Sharmila has grown too big
in the hearts of the people of Manipur. Even if she continues for two
years, three years, five years… perhaps things are not going to change
and therefore, she is not giving up the struggle. But, she is changing
the technique of carrying forward this struggle.”
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