Hunger Strike 14 March - Repeal AFSPA, Release Irom Sharmila

March 13, 2015:

Day Long Fast in Solidarity with Irom Sharmila
14 March : 10 AM to 4 PM
JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI

TAKE YOUR ACTION NOW:
Join Solidarity fast tomorrow at Jantar Mantar
Organise solidarity fast in your state
Observe fast at your home/workplace
Endorse the statement attached
Forward this message to others for taking action

We invite you to join a day long solidarity fast at Jantar Mantar on 14 March to demand Government of India to release Irom Sharmila and to repeal AFSPA.

14th March is birth date of Irom Sharmila. She inspired so many people through her struggle that is towards peace, demand for justice and being observed through her non violent protest that has become one of the longest hunger strike of this world.

On this day, our solidarity through fast is the least that we can do in respect of the cause for which she is on hunger protest since last 15 years. We are living in this biggest democracy and witnessing this longest hunger strike for strengthening democratic values.

We also know that how AFSPA is a 'killer' law and draconian in its nature. It not only approves shoot to kill on mere suspicion, but also provide impunity to security forces for being prosecuted against any such action. It is unfortunate to share that thousands of fake killings and even rapes reported and committed by security forces in AFSPA imposed regions of North East and J&K.

We also appeal everyone else who cannot participate in the hunger protest at Delhi, that individuals may observe it at their home or workplace and can send us their emails, messages, pictures in support so that it can get disseminated among others. It is like creating a positive wave of inspiration.

Please join tomorrow.

For any query, contact: Ravi Nitesh (9958907799), Kashif Ahmed Faraz (8802879246), Hidam Peter (8750920261)

FOR ENDORSEMENT: Memorandum to Prime Minister of India

Irom Sharmila or the Iron lady of Manipur, has entered the 15thyear of her hunger-strike against AFSPA. For 15 years, she has been pleading for humanity. Her struggle of 15 years shows her relentless faith in the democratic institutions. She is hopeful that someday the Government will listen to her. She is a true democrat yet her democratic way of protest is being ignored in the ‘World’s largest democracy’. It is a shame for democracy and government that it is ignoring such a heroic and non violent struggle. We, at SSSC, condemn the action of government in this regard and on the other hand, when we see the tireless efforts of people of AFSPA imposed areas who are continuously struggling against this inhumane law and trying to live their life, we salute their efforts for justice and democracy. We see the true democracy in these people’s struggle rather than in the government that is largely acted as deaf and ignorant over such an important issue that is associated with its own citizen’s lives.

We believe that making a democracy more accountable and transparent, more responsible and generous is a collective responsibility of all of us. We also appeal with top officials of army, security agencies and decision makers to take a kind note on ill-effects of this act. They must take note that how they should be more concerned about it and must see that this act is not appropriate and humane. Army and security agencies are formed with the very objective to provide a safe and secure environment to people and at that level this act has been utilized in such a way that it only became a tool to play with people’s lives knowingly or unknowingly. System must be defined in such a way that nobody can take benefit of this and a stringent vigil must be there to make our implementer more accountable. AFSPA lacks all such efforts. People who are living in AFSPA imposed areas have faced various problems and their complaints have not been registered, their cases have not been lodged and investigated at many levels. All these things not only lead to make a gap between security agencies and people.

AFSPA which has been existing for 60 years now has devastated the affected regions. There has been gross violation of human rights in these areas. With arbitrary powers and legal impunity granted to armed forces, AFSPA has led to extra-judicial killings, fake encounters, rapes and torture of civilians. AFSPA challenges the basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. It has become a political issue in which the only sufferers are the common people.

In this regard, we appeal the present BJP led government to fulfill its promises of restoring humanity in Manipur. During the elections, the Manipur unit of BJP had declared that if voted to power in centre, the undemocratic and arbitrary law of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be repealed. Even news reports are available in this regard. So now that you have been bestowed with the trust of the people to restore humanity, we appeal to keep your word and take the humane decision to repeal AFSPA.

Irom Sharmila has been charged with the attempt to commit suicide but that is wrong. It was not suicide, it is a great sacrifice, a struggle for humanity. In her court trials and in interviews, she has said that she loves her life and is only demanding that the fundamental rights that are granted in the constitution should be extended to people in North-East India. Sir, Irom Sharmila was not a social activist. She was not even a direct victim of the law. Yet, she is on a hunger-strike for 14 years. And she is not alone. We are a part of the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, a nation-wide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila.

For over three years now, the campaign has been organizing public demonstrations, awareness programmes in colleges, signature campaigns in about 20 states and nation-wide rallies to spread the word about her and her struggle. From all these, we have gathered that people are sympathetic towards her, her cause. People believe in her. The Supreme Court, NHRC, several national and international human rights’ organizations have also regarded AFSPA to be a draconian law. Even the government’s own committees like Jeevan Reddy committee recommended already for its repeal, Justice Verma committee that was formed after Delhi Rape case (Nirbhaya case) had also recognized the sexual violence that happens under the garb of AFSPA and had recommended that these sexual violence cases should be treated in the same way as sexual violence cases in non-AFSPA states.

AFSPA does not have the mandate of the people. In regard to democracy and humanity, we demand that:

Immediate steps to Repeal AFSPA from all regions of North east and J&K.

Charges of 'commit to suicide' must be taken back from Irom Sharmila Chanu and she must be set free. Her fast is for the life, and not against life in anyway, also it is for the society and not for any personal reason. With the interim relief, Government must order to remove charges of section 309 (attempt to suicide case) from New Delhi and Manipur both places and must set her free to meet people like any normal citizen can.

Send your endorsments at: [email protected] or [email protected] by today.

Endorsed By:
Ravi Nitesh
Kashif Ahmed Faraz
Hidam Peter
Devika Mittal
Tanveer Ahmed
Zaheeb Ajmal
Subhojit
Jayachandran Ramchandran
Ram Mohan Rai
Dheeraj Gaba