Sharmila ends fast – what next ?

Dr Khomdon Lisam *

Irom Sharmila arriving at Imphal Airport after court appearance at Delhi on 29 May 2014 :: Pix - Shanker Khangembam

On 26 July, 2016 Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur announced in the District Court premises that she would end her 16-year-old fast on 9 August, contest the ensuing Manipur Legislative Assembly election in 2017 to sustain her campaign for repealing the Armed Forces Special Power Act-1958 in a different way and get married. The national TV channel CNN-India was the first channel to break this news to the world while our own private Cable TV channels were keeping silent. The 44-year-old iconic activist, who had carried on the world's longest hunger strike, ended her fast on 9 August and contest elections. The longest fast of Gandhiji was 21 days and the longest fast of Anna Hazare was 12 days.

The fast of Gandhiji and Anna Hazare shook India because millions of people supported them whereas Sharmila was left alone to take care of herself. Sharmila had started her fast on 5 November 2000, soon after the Malom massacre on 2 November, 2000 (Thursday), in which 10 civilians were shot dead by the Assam Rifles. She began her fast as a protest for people like 64-year-old Sinam Chandrajini who lost her sister and two sons in the Malom massacre.

The Malom massacre is not the only massacre happened in Manipur. Some of the massacres were (1) Heirangoithong massacre: March 14, 1984 (Thirteen people were killed and 31 injured in the firing by CRPF), (2) Operation Blue Bird at Oinam – 10 July, 1987 in which fourteen civilians were shot dead and several others died of hunger, starvation and torture in the concentration camps, (3) Tera Bazar Massacre: March 25, 1993 which kill five civilians and many others received bullet injuries (4) RMC Massacre: January 7, 1995 in which CRPF shot dead nine innocent persons.

There were several other massacres like Oinam Leikai Massacre on 21 November, 1980, Ukhrul Massacre on 9 May, 1995, Bashikhong massacre on 19 February, 1995 Churachandpur Massacre on 21 July, 1999 Nungleiban Massacre on 15 October, 1997, Tabokpikhong Massacre on 12 August, 1997, Tonsen Lamkhai Massacre on 3 September, 2000 (http://www.voiceofkangleipak. com/ pageout. php?pageid=3). In addition to this ,there were 1,528 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings between May 1979 and May 2012 by the Manipur police and armed forces. Further there have been numerous reports of so-called "fake encounters" where security has executed suspects and claimed they were killed in a shoot-out. The entire state was brought under the Act in 1980 until 2004, when it was removed from seven constituencies in the state, but remained in place elsewhere.

All these massacres are happening because of the draconian Act known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (ASPA), enacted on 18 August , 1958 which provides wide powers to arrest without warrant, shoot-to-kill, and destroy property in so-called "disturbed areas." It also protects military personnel responsible for serious crimes from prosecution, creating a pervasive culture of impunity. Officials estimate more than 8,000 have died since the conflict fully broke out in the early 1980s.

Other experts say that the real figure is far higher The effectiveness of AFSPA can be ascertained from the fact that when AFSPA was imposed for the first time, there were only two insurgent groups and now there are more than 40 insurgency groups operating in Manipur. Sharmila's fast was the demand for repealing the AFSPA. She adopted the Gandhian approach of non-violence. Sharmila said, "My struggle is in the name of justice, peace and love".

After Sharmila began her fast, her 84-year-old mother, Irom Sakhi had vowed not to meet her till AFSPA was repealed from the state. Addressing the media outside the court premises, Sharmila is facing charges under IPC section 309 (attempt to commit suicide). Sharmila explained her decision: "The Government has not been listening to our voices and has been suppressing our movement." Sharmila is joining politics in a bid to "get our voices heard at the Centre". In the past, Sharmila expressed her desire to be "able to live like a normal human being". "I don't want to be a goddess. I just want a normal life," she has said in earlier interviews. This announcement of Sharmila to end her fast has taken everybody by surprise.

I was also surprised by her sudden declaration to end her fast. The newspaper report is not encouraging. Some say that she is an "escapist" ad others say that her decision is "impulsive." I want to ask her the main reason for giving up her 16-year-old fast and for joining politics. She knows me very well. I am fully confident that she will tell me the truth. So I do not have any hesitation to meet her. When I saw her after a gap of 4 years, I found her very lean and thin. I felt very unhappy to see her condition. After a brief introduction I asked her reason for giving up her fast, the reason for entering politics.

After a patient hearing, she started narrating the whole history. She said that she has lost trust in the present government. The present government is not prepared to listen to her demand even after fasting for 16 years. If the present ministry returns to power, fasting for another 16 years will not produce any positive result. They do not find time to think for the people. They are busy in corruption. A change is required to root out corruption, to lift AFSPA from Manipur, to give employment of youth without corruption to give power to the people and to enhance communal harmony.

But who will bring out these changes. We need a leader who is honest, transparent and incorruptible. I will plead to the people to make our election corruption-free. If the people want a change for the better , they will vote for me. My prime life of 24 years to 44 years have been sacrificed for the people, I will sacrifice the remaining part of my life for the people. That is the main reasons for my giving up of my fast and entering politics. She also mentioned that many of the representatives of civil societies stop coming to me. They may be thinking that I am no longer required as I have been sacrificed to God. At this point, I said that what you are thinking is wrong.

They may not show up by their physical presence on day to day basis but they are loyal to you. She said that they may not come tome physically but there are various ways of showing solidarity like Rally, Dharna, General Strike , Meeting with Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Minister, organizing conferences etc.

She also mentioned about Desmond Coutinho from Southern Ireland. He said that he was beaten in public by the women groups who are considered to be human rights defenders. He was imprisoned and was released only when the British High Commission in India intervened. This is relating to her personal life. I do not want to comment. So far I know, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese social democratic stateswoman, politician, diplomat youngest daughter of Aung San, Father of the Nation of modern-day Myanmar married Dr Michael Aris, a British national. Rajiv Gandhi married an Italian woman namely Antonia Maino (Sonia Gandhi).

Comments of the people on Sharmila's ending the 16-year- old fast

1. Babloo Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert, who began the "Sharmila Kanba Lup" said the decision of Sharmila took him by surprise. "It was a shock. But I can understand why this is happening. If after 16 long years, her fasting has had little impact on the government and there has been no progress in the move to repeal AFSPA, then what is the guarantee it will happen if she fasts for another 16 years ?" Babloo also opined, "She wants to change her track, the path of our collective struggle, and enter the political arena. We give her our best wishes."

2. I want Sharmila to live and I support her in her demand to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, even if she fights as a politician," Chandrajini told NDTV.

3. Sharmila's aides also feel the support for Sharmila will not stop if she gives up the fast and contests elections.

4. Kshetrimayum Onil, Trustee of Just Peace Foundation and long-time aide of Sharmila, said, "It has nothing to do with lack of momentum or lack of supporters. Support is strong in Manipur as well as other parts of India."

5. "Though, initially surprised, Sharmila's family is preparing for the political battle ahead. Sharmila's niece Irom Sunibala told NDTV fasting or not, she would support her aunt."First she is my aunt and secondly she is a Manipuri lady. She said she will stop her fast but it does not mean she stop fighting against AFSPA. She will fight it through a different route, the political route," she added.

6. Babie Shirin, a student at the Imphal college, said: "If Sharmila enters politics and crusades against AFSPA, it will be much more effective. The fast has gone on for too long and hasn't had the desired effect.

7. Fasting for 16 long years is not a joke and if the Centre and the military establishment think they can heave a sigh of relief, they are mistaken. The stand against the AFSPA will continue (The Sangai Express Editorial :: July 27, 2016)

8. Sharmila has the backing of all sections of the society.

9. She has good support of people in Manipur as well as of people across India and globe. She has already become a global figure in human rights and if count collectively, she have lakhs of supporters alone in India, that is higher than vote counts of any MP contestant and that is why just her support base just through Manipuri votes doesn't matter in her struggle. Now she belongs to world. She is moving ahead with a legacy behind that will always be in history books of human rights.

10. Irom Sharmila has carried the struggle for so many years. Her efforts must be commended. She has now decided to end fast. That is her own wish and should be respected. But the issue on which she started her marathon fasting is still unresolved. Though court has indicted the armed forces and government for fake en- counters, not much has been done. The problem remains the same as it was sixteen years ago. Her struggle has yielded partial results. If she could choose any other form of struggle which gives relief to people from atrocities of armed forces and Govt, her services are most welcome to the downtrodden Manipur people. Hopefully she stands with the masses who are deprived of peace and safety from ruling class. Her serv- ices for people's upliftment are essential. (K Sheshu Babu-July 26, 2016 at 5:04 pm)

11. It is vital that Irom Chanu Sharmila gets proper medical guidance on how to gradually come back to a normal diet, from experts who know the art and science of fasting. Breaking a 16 years fast may take at least 16 weeks or else it can be fatal. AYUSH or JNI Bangalore or similar organisations should be consulted. (Kamal Rajpal-August 1, 2016 at 10:15 am)

Conclusion:

We should not forget her long struggle and her contribution in safeguarding human rights and in lifting AFSA-195 from Manipur. In my opinion, if any person feels that Sharmila has done wrong, he or she can start indefinite fast from tomorrow for another 16 years. But considering the fate of Sharmla, there is no guarantee that you may be successful. If you do not have the courage to begin the fast, you do not have the rights to defame Sharmila.

Sharmila has every right to enter politics and contest elec- tion. If the Manipuris want a change for the better ,you can join Sharmila. If you want an honest and transparent politi- cian, you can join Shrmila. If you want corruption-free Manipur, you can join Sharmila.