Nationwide Irom Sharmila Satyagrah On The Historical Day Of Namak Satyagrah

6 April 2012 : New Delhi

Volunteers of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign today observed the historical day of 'Namak Satygrah' as 'Sharmila Satyagrah'. This Sharmila Satyagrah was observed in many states where activists handed over a memorandum regarding demand of the campaign for Irom Sharmila. Though in many states, offices of Chief Ministers and District Magistrates denied to accept the memorandum due to official holiday, the same will be submitted on saturday, however the various programs were organized everywhere.

Here in New Delhi, volunteers gathered at Manipur Bhawan to showcase the place i. e. Manipur, where Irom Sharmila, a human rights activist, is on hunger strike since last 11 years. After the silent protest at Manipur Bhawan, volunteers of the campaign moved towards Prime Minister Residence to submit the memorandum of their demands but heavy police force stopped them to move ahead only after few meters. After discussion with police officials, police zypsy itself carried two members of the campaign to submit the memorandum.

A member of the campaign Manisha Kaushik told "we choose the day 6th April when in 1931 Mahatma Gandhi alongwith many followers broke the Salt Law . SSSC has decided to choose the same day to protest against the Government on the same pattern of non violence for justice. We condemn the autocracy of government and every possible effort to suppress the voice of people’s desire on the issue of Irom Sharmila. The Government has not shown any effort to resolve the issue of Irom Sharmila since last many years."

Faisal Khan, another key member of the campaign described that "today we are receiving phone calls and sms from various places across India where people gathered for Irom in solidarity with the SSSC initiative." He further added that even in Manipur, a seminar is being organized by Just Peace Foundation in solidarity, A sit in protest and rally observed in Kerla by CRSJS society in solidarity of SSSC, in J&K, people gathered and told their demands with district authorities, while in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and in many other states, people support received. " Even after being a follower of non violence and truth, the Government has suppressed her voice.

Aditya Dubey, a software professional and activist told "Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) has been continuously working on the issue of Irom Sharmila by spreading awareness and generating support for Irom Sharmila on humanitarian and democratic grounds. From candle vigils at Rajghat and India Gate and across other cities of India to Signature Campaigns in the 18 Indian States and in many countries; SSSC has been engaged through all possible means and in the process, today has gathered support of more than 90 civil society organizations."

People from all walks of life participated in the program. A student of Bhagat Singh College Darpan told that Even after being a follower of non violence and truth, the Government has suppressed Irom's voice.

Those who were present includes Qamar Intekhab, Abhishek Shukla, Mohd. Aarish, Ravi Jain, Sulabh, Ritika Chawla, Pankaj Pathak, Rishikesh and other supporters. It was also said that Sharmila Satyagrah get popular on social media Facebook and twitter also, where hundreds of people shared and retweeted the news of this activity and thus sent the message to lacs of people across the globe.

Regards,
Volunteers of ''SAVE SHARMILA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN''
(A joint initiative of various organizations & movements)