Respect People's Non-violent Struggles and Repeal AFSPA
- PR from The Other Media -

13 February 2010, New Delhi

Speakers at a panel discussion "Non-violent struggles against Militarization" urged Government to respond humanely to the non- violent struggles against the Armed Forces (special) Powers Act (AFSPA). The panel discussion was organized on the occasion of release of book "Irom Sharmila Aur Manipuri Janta Ki Sahas YatraI" on the unique form of protest by Irom Sharmila of Manipr. The book is authored by Dr Deepti Priya Mehrotra and published by The Other Media and Daanish Books.

Irom Sharmila Aur Manipuri Janta Ki Sahas Yatra is an excellent document of struggles of ordinary people caught between the crossfire of security forces and militants. This book discusses the philosophy of Irom Sharmila’s non violent struggle against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). AFSPA contradicts all constitutional and legal assurance of right to life, liberty, freedom and dignity. It empowers military and paramilitary personnel to arrest, shoot and even kill anyone on the grounds of mere suspicion. The book highlights concern over the brutal manner in which the Indian State has been responding to such non- violent struggles.

Likewise, in Irom Sharmila’s case, the response of the government has only been visible in form of releasing and re-arresting her innumerable times and force-feeding her through nasal tubes. However despite this, she has stood by her demand, steadfastly refusing to eat until the Act is repealed. Vani Subramaniam of Saheli Women’s Group pointed out that the way Sharmila is treated by the government’s very clearly shows that the state doesn’t know how to deal with this form of dissent. Its responses are more suited to dealing with armed insurgencies.

Releasing the book, Radha Bhatt, a senior Gandhian, said AFSPA is surely a blot on Indian democracy. The government has become so used to giving powers to its security personnel and managing the border areas like Manipur that it cannot think of governing these areas otherwise. She said civil disobedience is one way of stuggling against draconian acts like AFSPA.

In all these years people from AFSPA affected areas have been continuously demanding for total repeal of AFSPA but the state has conspired to silence their voices. Its not only the people from these states but Civil society groups, Human Rights activists, various International bodies like United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others have also categorically highlighted anti-people facets of AFSPA. Even Government constituted bodies like Jeevan Reddy Committee, 2006, Second Administrative Committee (II ARC) headed by present Central Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Working Group on Confidence-Building Measures in J& K headed by present Vice President Hamid Ansari have recommended for total repeal of AFSPA.

Ravi Hemadri
The Other Media