Activists express solidarity to Irom Sharmila
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, December 10 2011: The Save Sharmila Campaign Committee organised a daylong event in New Delhi today to coincide with the 63rd International Human Rights Day celebrated globally on the 10th of December since 1948. Raj Ghat, the historic memorial of Mahatma Gandhi came alive today with activists from Manipur as well as from the length and breadth of India - Assam, A.P., Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, M.P., Punjab, U.P., according to a press note from Just Peace Foundation.

It said, the event which was supposed to be a day of fast was denied permission, however, not to be deterred, the activists gathered for a day of fast beginning with a prayer meeting of more than two hundred people.

"The spirit of Gandhi is being kept alive by Irom Chanu Sharmila" affirmed eminent activist Ms.Medha Padkar at the Save Sharmila Campaign.

She added that it was indeed a national embarrassment that organising a one day of fast in solidarity with Irom Sharmila's twelfth years' of fast was being denied permission at the capital.

Swami Agnivesh stated that it is not for herself that Sharmila is fasting, neither is it for Manipur or India alone but for the cause of entire humanity.

"We should understand and rally behind her cause", he added.

At the end of the day of fast the activists assembled again at the Press Club of India and interacted with the media.

"It is a matter of shame, a matter of embarrassment that we were denied permission to hold a fast on this very day declared as the International Human Rights Day" stated Ms.Aruna Roy an eminent activist who is also member of the National Advisory Council.

Anandi Khangembam, Managing Trustee of Just Peace Foundation, Manipur expressed that "One should not look at Irom Sharmila alone to resist the repressive laws which oppresses women; women all over India and the world should begin to voice their protest against all repressive laws" .

The statement said noted academician and activist Prof.Nandini Sundar, Shabnam Hashmi of Anhad also addressed the media asking for the repeal of AFSPA and expressed their solidarity with Irom Sharmila.

Human rights activist, Babloo Loitongbam expresses immense grief over the state of affairs.

He stated "The twelfth year of Irom Sharmila's fast which fails to move the state speaks a lot of the lack of maturity of the Indian State".

He added that 60,000 soldiers terrorising citizens in Manipur is not a sign of a mature, democratic nation that India claims to be, rather fostering solidarity amongst people, like this event organised by NAPM and others will herald the birth of a new democracy in India.

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