Irom Sharmila's cry for help – time for all of us to unite and create a new mass awakening

Dr Th Suresh Singh *

Irom Sharmila resumed fasting agitation at Shahid Minar on 29 February 2016 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

On March 1, 2016, I met Sharmila at Shahid Minar after her unconditional release by a CJM(IW) order. My last meeting was last year at Shamu Makhong after release from completion of her 1 year in jail.

Last year she smiled, as always, when she showed me and expressed many things, including her personal life, to me. This time, the smile was less.

I thought something must be wrong with her. Then seating with her, she shared her thought thereby confirming my inner idea.

Her worry turned out to be ‘less public support for her fight against AFSPA thereby placing her battle a lonely one’.

My meeting was interrupted when titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba came with many reporters/other groups and met her.

Probably that was a pre-fixed meeting. She expressed the same sentiment to him and requested to mobilise public support.

As there are many other reporters/groups to take interview, I told her that I would be coming after 1/2 hr or so again. She nodded; I came back again and shared her views.

I specifically asked her what she wanted me to do for her. She again emphasised that as she is now released unconditionally, it is appropriate time that people start supporting her in a massive scale.

Many known persons like Pabung, who contributed something to the society, should work together and help her by joining her protest etc. or any other form of support.

The same feeling was also expressed to noted film maker Shyam Sharma when he came to meet her.

I saw sense in her thinking. I, however, told her that I could not organise a massive support as that was beyond my capacity; but could do something like supporting her fasting by a group of my doctor colleagues joining the same. She readily agreed.

She also expressed her wish that some prominent citizens (your writer included) may meet our Chief Minister and Governor etc. in support of her fight.

She also disliked the thought of leaving everything to Sharmila Kanba Lup and wanted the struggle to be a people oriented one. This is in reply to a suggestion from me to do the same through the Lup. I again saw sense to that.

To the more complex case in the court, though she is released unconditionally by a court order, I told her that she will be again arrested within 1 or 2 days by applying some IPC section by this unpopular government.

I clearly told her that this is my common legal sense. She, however, expressed her dislike of the thought of arresting again and wanted to forget such thoughts. I felt really sorry for her.

When I came back to home, I pondered where have all those civil societies gone?

In fact, I myself stated thinking where have all of us gone leaving poor Sharmila for a lonely battle? With her fast approaching 16 year, and this insensitive Govt showing no sign of removing the draconian Act, it is time for all of us to unite and create a new mass awakening.

On my part, I contacted some 10 of my doctor colleagues and proposed to seat together with her in support from 1-2 pm tomorrow (2/3/16). My friends readily agreed to.

During the conversation, I consoled her that sooner than letter, her fight is bound to succeed and told her not to worry.

I further consoled her that my PIL for removal of AFSPA from Manipur at supreme court is at the final stage with about 20 times hearing or so. If the Apex Court rule in our favour, it will also be her success.

I also joked that after removal of AFSPA, I will get her married to her boyfriend with our traditional ceremony in my house if she wishes.

What a lonely figure at present fighting a massive evil!

Will all of us remain a silent spectator with some coverage here and there by media or meeting her occasionally by a few?

Is she fortunate or unfortunate, time only can tell us.