SOAS in Solidarity with Sharmila
Dr. Bishwajeet Elangbam *
The School of Oriental and African Studies, London (SOAS) is observing the centenary of the International Women Day in a week long celebration at the student's lounge. As a part of this observation a public meeting was held in honour of Irom Sharmila Chanu.
Jo Baker, a human right academician and activist and a keen follower of Sharmila's struggle led the meeting and noted human right activist and Director of the Human Rights Alert, Mr Babloo Loitongbam shared the genesis of the woman's struggle in Manipur and place Irom Sharmila Chanu's extraordinary struggle against the Armed Forces Special Power Act in perspective.
The meeting attended by British and international students, scholars, activist etc was also attended by a strong Manipuri crowd settling in and around London. It was a unique opportunity to talk about the unprecedented struggle of Sharmila and the highly repressive situation in Manipur.
Leaflets highlighting the non-violent protest of Sharmila Chanu were distributed. Jo Baker, also took the initiative of taking many hand written personalize message from the participating individuals and handed over to Sharmila Chanu.
The meeting concluded with a request to sign up the ongoing signature campaign for Sharmila to be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Web Link for supporting this cause
See a picture Gallery on this event here.
* Dr. Bishwajeet Elangbam (a resident of Coventry, England) contributes to e-pao.net regularly. The writer can be reached at biselangbam(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk
This article was webcasted on March 10, 2011.
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