Sharmila acknowledges but turns down invite
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23 2011:
While expressing solidarity to the anti-graft campaign launched by Anna Hazare, Irom Sharmila Chanu has nonetheless expressed her inability to attend the campaign in
Delhi.
Responding to the invitation sent to her to participate in the anti-corruption fast at New Delhi and for a strong Lokpal bill, Sharmila asked Hazare to either get her released from custody or to come to Manipur and join her.
Team Anna on Saturday night contacted human rights defender Babloo Loitongbam over phone inviting Sharmila to join the anti-corruption campaign at New Delhi.
A letter to this effect has also been handed to her.
The Just Peace Foundation (JPF), a trust formed for the cause of Sharmila's unrelenting struggle against AFSPA, has informed the matter to her and the invitation was discussed for a couple of days.
Acknowledging the gesture, Sharmila replied that she whole heartedly welcomed his invitation to join the anti-corruption campaign.
|
"And yet I would like you to be convinced of the reality of my situation, that I cannot get the advantage of exercising my non-violent protest for justice against my concerned authority as a democratic citizen of a democratic country, unlike your environment.
This is the problem I cannot understand," she said.
"My humble suggestion is if you feel seriously; please try to reach the concerned legislators (read authorities) to let me get free, like yours, to join your amazing crusade to root out corruption which is the root of all evils.
Or you can come to Manipur, the most corruption affected region in the world," Sharmila said.
Babloo, who is also a JPF trustee, said that they have decided to send JPF representatives to join Anna Hazare's anti-graft rally in New Delhi.