India

Irom Sharmila – India’s “Iron Lady”

Since the age of 16, you are fasting to protest military violence in the Indian state of Manipur. Now you want to stop doing it, and in the policy for your target to fight. Cosima Gilll from New Delhi.

“Will you finish your fasting?” This is a question for a judge, the 44-year-old Indian woman presents to every two weeks in the courtroom. It has long since become Routine. She denies the question and returns to the hospital, in your room, that’s become your home, and in a certain way also your prison. Because of the hunger strike was interpreted by the Indian government as an attempted suicide, by 2015, be punishable with imprisonment has been punished. For 16 years, Sharmila is fed through a nose tube. The small hose to your nose, he was now a Symbol of their resistance.

Her Protest began on 5. In November 2000, after paramilitary units had killed in their home town of Malom ten civilians. When she saw photos of murdered civilians in the newspaper, she was so touched that she was able to initially eat anything, and later no longer wanted. That was the Start of the longest hunger strikes in history. To the question, how do you take the power, she replied in a previous Interview: “My Inspiration is my own Conscience as a human being.”

Supporters of Irom Sharmila in India

Military violence in Sharmilas home

Outwardly, she seems weakened, but your mind remains focused on your goal: the abolition of The law that allows the Indian military, unpunished violence against the civilian population. In their homeland, the state of Manipur, already since 1958, the so-called law on the use of armed violence by the security forces (AFSPA). “It allows the military, suspected rebels to arrest or to shoot, even without the law to take action against them,” says Arijit Sen, project Director of Amnesty International India.

The North East of India is adjacent to the Kashmir region as a unruhigste area in the country. In both regions, the military exemption applies. In the North-East, numerous rebel movements for more independence and self-determination fight. The security situation, however, applies for years as a stable. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International to plead for the abolition of the AFSPA act. Already for a long time, the policy discussion has changed, but still nothing. Also Sharmilas extraordinary hunger strike brought more attention and did not lead to changes. This should now be final.

The hose nose is a Symbol of their resistance

From hunger strike to the policy

On Tuesday (09.08.2016) is Sharmila to stand once again in front of the judge. The activist had already announced she wanted to end this day of your fasting, because the Indian government have not complied with your request. She wanted a new path. “I’m going to compete next year in the elections in Manipur as an independent candidate,” Sharmila.

Not even with your closest Confidant, you should have this decision discussed. Activists of radical separatist organizations from their home to exhortation, and to not even threaten the 44-Year-old to end her hunger strike, she should not let that dissuade them from their goals.

In addition, the private future plan of Sharmila some local groups are a thorn in the eye, because the so-called “Iron Lady” of Manipur wants to get married. For years, she is in a relationship with another activist. “I wish I could just live a normal life,” she said. The love you is not a reason for distraction for Sharmila, but a lot more a new source of power. In the next year, the Iron Lady from Manipur in the policy to fight against the military violence in their homeland.