Release of Irom Sharmila & an insensitive State

Ravi Nitesh *

Irom Sharmila re-arrested and taken into JNIMS security ward on 23 January 2015 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Now again the honorable court in Imphal quashed the charges of 'attempt to suicide' from Irom Sharmila. It was a historic verdict , in spite that it had already happened few months ago as well when Sharmila was released.

It is historic because it provides a very concrete evidence of failure of state, where state could not understand even a single time , while judiciary understood the fact more than single time, that Irom Sharmila is not a criminal. She neither favors killing of anybody nor she choose it for herself. In her statements before courts in Imphal and Delhi and before media, she always expressed her motive and stated that she respect and loves life.

At the time, when the Imphal court ordered her release few months ago, she was re arrested again after two days and Manipur police was framed same charges of attempt to suicide. She had fought a long legal battle to provide her innocence, court also accepted the same, but state machinery acted in the same way as it was doing before.

Judgement of Imphal court could grant only two days to breathe her in open air. Now, when the court has again gave the same verdict, it only strengthen the true motive of Irom Sharmila. What is required now from the state is that it must not repeat its previous action.

This verdict is also a victory of people who fighting in solidarity with Irom Sharmila and even those who are not directly related to her but fighting for human rights.

Recently, a report of law commission also favored to decriminalize IPC 309 of Attempt to Suicide'. It may further pave the way for Irom to protect her from being framed under this charge again, but it will happen only after finalizing it and amending the IPC accordingly. This time we also expect that now state will not mock upon judiciary and will not re-arrest her.

During my last visit to her as part of Asian Solidarity in struggle of people of Manipur, organized jointly by May 18 Memorial Foundation, Forum Asia and Just Peace Foundation, I met Irom and also participated in the solidarity fast organized to mark her 15th year of fast. Though I had already met her few times, even at Delhi also, but here in Manipur, I also got an opportunity to meet people in general, mostly youths.

I found a huge undercurrent of her support in Manipur. I became proud when students told me that not even their parents were also observing fast at their home in solidarity with Irom. I realized that how, such kind of solidarity, that is true and full of respect and love is so much ahead of various demandful gatherings. Such a support where people are observing fast at their home in solidarity with her struggle is the spirit of people and convey their courage, truth, respect and their solidarity with her demand.

At a time, when physically I am sitting away from people of Manipur, my best wishes and thoughts are with all of you, with the human rights activists and groups in Manipur who are raising their voice there and with the people in general who are not coming on front but expressing their peaceful solidarity.

At the same time, India is celebrating its Republic Day. In coming day, Delhi is going to face the elections and government is too busy with all these things along with new schemes and interests. Central government, while being in power seems weak when it comes to test its will and desire for Manipur and even for people in general who are oppressed by state led violence. In spite of promises of state leadership of the party that is ruling the government, AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) still exists.

It is the republic of world's largest democracy, democratic parties are not fulfilling their promises, imports of arms and weapons are increasing by state, so many reports of state led violence upon people and human rights violations reported . But at the same time, I see the hope within people, like Irom Sharmila, who is till hopeful and continuing her fast for a peaceful demand to repeal AFSPA. And her hope in the democracy, gives me a hope.