MSAD statement on Day long Fast & Satyagrah Seeking for repealing of AFSPA 1958 on Nov 6 2012
November 6, 2012
Day long fast and demonstration for Repealing of AFSPA 1958 at Raj Ghat, New Delhi :: Nov 6 2012
MSAD statement delivered by Shasikanta, Cultural Secretary MSAD
on the occasion of the Day long Fast & Satyagrah
Seeking for repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958
dated 6th November 2012 at RajGhat (Delhi)
Dear Friends,
I'm from Manipur. I know how life is going on in Manipur because I have experienced it. I know who is Sharmila and her struggle against AFSPA. I am grateful that you all respectable and honourable persons, scholars, sir, ma'am, are aware of the situation of siege in Manipur and the issue of human rights. I am grateful that you are aware of peoples struggle for democratic rights, against state terrorism and Sharmila's 12 years fasting demanding the repeal of AFSPA.
I am sorry to say that Indian democracy has become a questionable issue despite the claim by the Indian State that India is the biggest democratic country in the world. Daily strikes, protests, demonstrations, sufferings, exploitation, suppression and repression, violation of democratic rights in the name of development and democracy exemplify a different situation challenging the polemical democracy construed by the Indian state. Fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution remain suspended to the majority of the people who are fighting for democratic rights, socio-economic justice and physical and psychological securities. Do we call it democracy?
The basic causes of the struggles for justice are economic and political in nature. Do we need Seditious Act, NSA, UAPA, AFSPA, NCTC, and NIA to address these issues? We in Manipur do not want AFSPA as a solution to our struggle for peace and democracy. This solution model adopted by the Indian State is antithesis to the Constitution. It goes against what were being taught about the constitutionality and legitimacy to fight for justice. Why are we being deprived from enjoying the rights to life and other constitutional rights? Peoples are suffering under AFSPA; the government is watching joyously the ongoing genocide in the name of security. This double standard character is a mockery to humanity.
I was only nine years old when Sharmila began fasting. I had learned to read Manipuri newspaper since the day Malom Massacre was unleashed and reported in the news. That disappointing incident was a watershed as Sharmila began fasting against AFSPA. As I grew up, I gradually realised the siege situation befallen unto us. Although the Indian State feigns ignorant to the modus operandi of its killing machineries and the suppressive model, AFSPA has been widely condemned by the progressive section in India and beyond.
We are happy that Sharmila has contributed a lot to the overall struggle against AFSPA in particular and against State terrorism in general. Her contribution is immense and widely acknowledged. As early as 1974 Tangkhul woman Miss Rose had committed suicide against rape under the protection of AFSPA. In July 2004 Manipuri women had illustrated nude to both the Assam Rifles and the Act. The same year on Indian Independence Day Mr. Pebam Chittaranjan had self-immolated after condemning the fake democracy orchestrated by the repressive regime. But the government remains adamant as not to repeal the Act. How many lives does it want to kill further? Is life a game? We appeal the Government of India not to play game with lives. Our demand is short and precise: Stop militarisation; repeal AFSPA.
Long live democracy.
* This info was sent by Dr. Malem Ningthouja who can be contacted at mningthouja(at)yahoo(dot)com
This Press Release was posted on November 06, 2012.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.