My Letter To Irom Sharmila Chanu

Aniruddha Khosla *

Irom Chanu Sharmila on 9th March 2009

Irom Sharmila Chanu
JN Hospital Security Ward
Porompat, Imphal - 795005
Manipur.

Respected Sharmila Didi,

I am not sure whether this letter will reach you, but I hope that if at all it reaches you, it finds you in great health and high spirits.

April, 2011. India had just won the cricket world cup and the whole country was basking in its glory when Anna Hazare launched his campaign against corruption. Frankly speaking, I had never heard of Anna Hazare and therefore I read all about him and his life and the cause he was fighting for. And then I came across an article on this website www.sinlung.com . It was titled 'Spot the difference: Hazare vs Irom Sharmila'.

That is how I heard your name for the first time. The article made a lot of sense and explained why Hazare's campaign was a success and why the center had been ignoring you for more than a decade. But more than anything else, I was shocked to learn that you have been fasting for 11 long years. I started reading about you on 'Wikipedia'.

I read that a book had been written on you by Ms Deepti Priya Mehrotra. Without any delay I ordered the book and started reading it. Sharmila ji, I have never considered MK Gandhi as a Mahatma for I never believed that a human being could be as pure as a Mahatma. After having read the book, I changed my opinion. You are a Mahatma.

Someone who has been fighting for the well-being of her state with such commendable grit and determination deserves much more respect from the Indian govt. and its citizens than what you have been given. It saddens me to think of your plight, of how you have been suffering for the past 11 years. It saddens me more to think that your appeal to the center demanding a repeal of the draconian 'Armed Forces Special Powers Act' has fallen on deaf ears. And it saddens me the most to think of how the Indian public has largely been ignorant towards our fellow countrymen.

Your story proves the fact that we are a selfish nation and that we are only concerned with motives that concern us directly. Why Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev succeeded in achieving such massive support is because their campaigns target the very needs and sentiments of the Indian Middle Class. What will the common man living in Delhi achieve by the cancellation of AFSPA in Manipur? It hardly bothers him. And this is what bothers me. If we cannot stand up for the basic rights of our fellow countrymen, then what is the purpose of calling ourselves Indians?

The Center's attitude towards the north eastern states is shameful. Disheartening is the fact that the government has turned a blind eye to all the atrocities you people have had to face during all these years. How is it justified that the biggest democracy in the world allows its army to kill and rape people at will?

Like the article mentioned, that saying you haven't achieved anything is an insult to your personal sacrifice. You haven't tasted food for 11 long years and that you haven't met your mother for as many years, been in and out of police custody and been force fed for so long hasn't gone in vain. I read that the Act has been removed from the capital city of Imphal and that the Reddy Committee has recommended that the Act should be completely withdrawn. I believe that if more and more people get to know of your cause and the inhumanities faced by the people of Manipur and that if some influential people take up your cause or support you, the AFSPA could be removed.

My heart also goes out to those who have suffered at the hands of the Assam Rifles, to the Meira Paibis who have been fighting for the honour of Manipur, the defenders of human rights of the people of Manipur. The fact that the women of Manipur have fought two wars (The first and second Nupilan) and continue to fight for justice is something that each Indian woman should take pride in knowing. But I am afraid that the rest of India has largely been ignorant of the great and awe inspiring history of Manipur.

Had the Indian Govt. not cheated the people of Manipur and had been more dedicated towards development in the north eastern states, measures such as the AFSPA, to counter insurgency, would not have been required. I believe that most Indians are unaware of your fight against the Indian Govt. and that the Manipuri Diaspora, people who have left Manipur for better opportunities should create awareness about the same. I am certain that very soon the AFSPA will no longer threaten peace and justice in Manipur.

No longer a proud Indian,
Aniruddha Khosla.

PS – My letter ends here.
I'd like to quote from the book 'Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila' –

"When the change manifests, the violence will abate.
She will take the final steps, and retreat backstage, to rest awhile.
People will offer fruit and sweets to the gods, in reverence and gratitude.
The Maibis will distribute these to each person present:
Sharmila too will savour the taste."