People should stop singing my praises, but join my crusade: Irom Sharmila
Source: The Sangai Express Courtesy: The Times of India

Imphal, August 24 2014: Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu was re-arrested on Friday while on dharna near the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital (JNIMS) for continuing her fast against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

She had been released two days ago by the Manipur jail authorities following a ruling by a sessions court but is now back in the special prison ward, specially created for her.

Sharmila, 42, has been here for 14 years, carrying on her crusade in incarceration.

The Iron lady of Manipur talks to K Sarojkumar Sharma about her struggle, why she's pinned her hopes on Narendra Modi, and her yearning for normal food.

Why did you choose to return to your fast after release? Is it not better to remain free and vocal and still continue with your protest?
I will continue to fast till the oppressive Act is repealed.

I am not concerned about deterioration of my health.

But I am certainly not making an attempt to end my life.

I will not accept any State offer of treatment.

If the government wants to save me, it should repeal the AFSPA.

Your mother said she will feed you a home-cooked meal only after the AFSPA is repealed.

Has she been so strongly supportive of your struggle all through these years?
I embarked on my lone mission in November 2000 with loads of blessings from my mother.

She blessed me and said I should go ahead fearlessly with my mission and return victorious.

I was determined to erase all forms of violation of human rights by the armed forces under AFSPA.

That resolve has stayed deep in my heart and I have not visited my home since then.

Apart from my mother, all my family members have been very supportive.

Why would not I want to eat and live happily like others? .

How do you plan to take your crusade against the AFSPA forward?
I have no specific plan apart from fasting.

This is not for personal gain or fame.

I am struggling for the people.

But I would like to call upon the people and leaders to join hands with me to continue the crusade till the act is repealed.

People should stop singing my praise.

I want my brothers and sisters to join the anti-AFSPA movement.

I have a strong conviction that AFSPA would be scrapped if everyone joined the movement.

After that I will enjoy food like everyone else.

The prolonged incarceration has taken its toll on your personal life.

Do you sometimes wish you could lead a normal life like others?
Who would like to stay confined to a prison room for years? Everyone wants to lead a happy life and so do I.But my crusade is of greater importance than my own needs.

If AFSPA is withdrawn, my life will change.

The sessions court verdict on Wednesday to release you must have come as a huge relief.
I welcomed the verdict from the bottom of my heart.

It took into account the fact that my struggle is non-violent and democratic.

The court could not find any evidence for the charge that I am attempting suicide.

You could not meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during your visit to Delhi earlier this year.

Do you still want to meet him to press for the repeal of the AFSPA?
When I was in Delhi for my appearance before the metropolitan magistrate of the Patiala House court in the last week of May, I had wanted to meet the Prime Minister.

(Sharmila's court appearance was needed in a case registered by the Delhi Police against her hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in 2006.) But political leaders failed to make the appointment.

The Prime Minister comes across as a leader who wants to take new measures to help India emerge as a stronger nation, the repeal of the AFSPA should be one of his priorities.

The Congress-led UPA government had refused to repeal the AFSPA.

State and central governments are for the people and leaders should take into account the dreadful impact of the law.

The 60 MLAs from Manipur should not remain silent.

I still intend to meet the Prime Minister but everything depends on my struggle and the situation.

How have you been spending your time inside the hospital prison room for the past 14 years?
I did yoga everyday, read newspapers, books and wrote poetry.

I have written over 100 poems on social issues.

I am now penning another anthology of poems � Panghallo Thamoi Mitsna (let the eyes of the heart open) .

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