Wednesday 31 October 2012

Seventh Article in Article Series: Unmatched Saga of Relentless Struggle - Irom Sharmila Chanu


As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's the seventh article:

Unmatched Saga of Relentless Struggle - Irom Sharmila Chanu


By Mandavi Yadav



She is called the “Iron Lady of Manipur”. A civil rights activist and a poet from Manipur, India, she's the one and only Irom Sharmila Chanu, who have been on a fast for over twelve years now. Her only plea to the Indian government is to take away the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 which empowers the military to shoot down just anyone on mere suspicion.

She has been consistently and incessantly continuing the fast but in vein. But, what has motivated and continues to motivate her to consider this harsh tone? A thought of the Malom Massacre...

On that fatal Thursday, November 2, 2000, ten ordinary people were  shot and wiped out through the eighth Assam Rifles while they were waiting for the bus at a bus-stand in Malom, an urban area within the Imphal town of Manipur. The following day, the local dailies carried the atrocious and cruel pictures from their dead physiques, together with a 62-years old lady, Leisangbam Ibetombi, and 18-years old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award champion. In the news, all of them including the 62 year old lady and the Bravery Award winner were declared to be “militants”. This incident is referred to as the “Malom Massacre”.

Enraged by these increased atrocities from the military, 28-years-old Sharmila, who would observe fast every Thursday since childhood, decided to dedicate the fast to draw attention of the Government towards these atrocities. But little did she know that, her fast would continue for 12 years. She is neither taking water nor food. On November 4, 2000 she visited the spot where the incident had occured and stated her utmost step - to fast-unto-dying till AFSPA is taken away.

Sharmila stated, "I had been traumatised by the sight. There is no way to stop the further intrusion by the military... It (fast) is the best way, it is a spiritual fight... My fast is with respect to the folks of Manipur. This isn't an individual fight, it's symbolic. It's an indication of truth, peace and love."

Around the third day of her fast, she was arrested and charged with 'attempt to commit suicide', under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. The Government decided to keep her on a nasal feeding of a semi liquid substance, just to keep her alive while keeping her under house-arrest. Every year, she is re-arrested.

Born on March 14, 1972, since childhood Sharmila was quite incomparable from other women in her own locality. She was modest, a basic girl having a couple of selected buddies. She didn't like dressing,  she neither used any cosmetics nor any jewellery. She was habitual of reading Bhagwad Gita and practised yoga and began learning naturopathy and stenography.

A lady like Sharmila is unequalled; she's actively fighting for her region, for her people without getting her very own individual interests. Her fast is possibly, the longest hunger-strike ever. She’s not been eating or drinking, even a droplet of water since November, 2000. She's been kept alive through the painful procedure of nasal feeding. She's now living in an exceedingly pitiable condition. She doesn’t comb her hair, does not check herself in the mirror and cleans her teeth with a dry cotton. She is internally week, her menstrual cycles have stopped. Whenever she will get a chance, she tries to do away with the nasal tube.

According to a report of BBC on her health stated, "Doctors  are saying that her fasting has got an immediate effect on normal functions of her body - her bones have grown to be brittle and some medical disorder are worsening her body too."

She's a lady, a beacon of hope and peace, a genuine fighter who has fought against this fight, for so long and all alone, with no media hype. While Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare fasted for any couple of days and the whole nation was with them(a huge credit goes to the media), Sharmila's fight is a lonely one. Here it is! Sharmila, you undoubtedly are a legend and has proven the fighting spirit of humankind.

Mandavi Yadav is from Chandigarh. She is an entreprenuer and currently running an event company. She is passionate about working for a change and writes articles as a tool for activism. She can be reached at mandavi.707@gmail.com

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Article series on Irom: इरोम शर्मि‍ला : सेना नहीं जनतंत्र चाहि‍ए


As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's an article in Hindi: 

इरोम शर्मि‍ला : सेना नहीं जनतंत्र चाहि‍ए



वह लोकतंत्र की तलाश में बारह सालों से भूखी प्‍यासी कैद में है। उसेसेना नहीं लोकतंत्र चाहि‍ए। दमन नहीं सम्‍मान चाहि‍ए। हमने लोकतंत्र कीतलाश में जान कुर्बान करने वाले नहीं देखे । लोकतंत्र के जुनूनी नहीं देखे।क्रांति‍ ,राष्‍ट्रवाद और राष्‍ट्र से अलग स्‍वतंत्र देश की मांग के लि‍एजोखि‍म उठाने वाले सुने हैं।लेकि‍न लोकतंत्र और मनुष्‍यों के अधि‍कारों केलि‍ए जान की कुर्बानी देने वाले नहीं सुने।

हमने ऐसी औरतें देखीहैं जो सुखी संसार खोजती हैं।गहने खोजती हैं। मकान खोजती हैं। अच्‍छा वरखोजती हैं। कॉस्‍मेटि‍क्‍स खोजती हैं। सजने संवरने में अनंत समय खर्च करतीहैं। आत्‍ममुग्‍ध नायि‍का की तरह स्‍वयं के सम्‍मोहन में कैद रहती हें।लेकि‍न एक ऐसी औरत भी है जो न सजती है ,न संवरती है ,उसका एकमात्रसाज-श्रृंगार है लोकतंत्र।

अगर कोई पूछे औरत को क्‍या चाहि‍एमैं कहूँगा लोकतंत्र । आदि‍वासी को क्‍या चाहि‍ए ? लोकतंत्र। गरीबों कोक्‍या चाहि‍ए ?लोकतंत्र । देश में लोकतंत्र है या नहीं यह इस बात से तयहोगा कि‍ आदि‍वासि‍यों ,औरतों और अति‍गरीबों के जीवन में लोकतंत्र वहुँचाहै कि‍ नहीं। इनके जीवन में लोकतंत्र का वातावरण बना है या नहीं। लोकतंत्रकी पहचान का मानक वोट नहीं है। चुनी हुई सरकार नहीं है। लोकतंत्र का अर्थहै आदि‍वासी ,औरत और अल्‍पसंख्‍यकों के लि‍ए लोकतंत्र की गारंटी।लोकतांत्रि‍क वातावरण की सृष्‍टि‍। मानवाधि‍कारों की अबाधि‍त गारंटी। इसपैमाने पर केन्‍द्र सरकार वि‍गत साठ सालों में बुरी तरह वि‍फल रही है।

आदि‍वासी,औरत और अल्‍पसंख्‍यक हमारे समाज की धुरी हैं। बहुसंख्‍यकआबादी इन्‍हीं तीन समूहों में नि‍वास करती है और इनमें लोकतंत्र के दर्शनदूर-दूर तक नहीं होते। इन तीनों समूहों के जीवन में लोकतंत्र औरमानवाधि‍कारों के अभाव और हनन को आए दि‍न अपनी आंखों के सामने देखते हैं औरचुप रहते हैं।

आप शहर में रहते हैं या गांवों में ,गरीब हैं याअमीर हैं,महानगर में रहते हैं या आदि‍वासी जंगलों में। कुछ देर के लि‍एवि‍चार कीजि‍ए क्‍या हम अपने समाज में आदि‍वासी, औरत और अल्‍पसंख्‍यकों कोदैनन्‍दि‍न जीवन में लोकतांत्रि‍क ढंग से जीने देते हैं ? क्‍या इन समूहोंको इनकी शर्तों पर जीने देते हैं। जी नहीं। इसके वि‍परीत इनके लोकतांत्रि‍कहकों का हनन करते रहते हैं। हम अभी भी अंदर से अलोकतांत्रि‍क बने हुए हैं।

हमारेदेश में लोकतंत्र का प्रहसन चल रहा है। इसमें हम सब मजा लेरहे हैं। दर्शक की तरह तालि‍यां बजा रहे हैं। लोकतंत्र हमारे लि‍ए देखने कीचीज है। हम इसमें हि‍स्‍सा नहीं लेते सि‍र्फ दर्शक की तरह देखते हैं। जयहो जय हो करते हैं।

आदि‍वासी,औरत और अल्‍पसंख्‍यकों के प्रतीक याआइकॉन के रूप में हमारे बीच में एक औरत है जो लोकतंत्र के इस प्रहसन मेंताली बजाने को तैयार नहीं है। वह लोकतंत्र में हि‍स्‍सा लेना चाहती है। वहदर्शक बने रहना नहीं चाहती। उसके लि‍ए मानवाधि‍कार कागजी चीजें नहीं हैं।वह एक लेखि‍का है उसने सैंकड़ों कवि‍ताएं लि‍खी हैं। उसे अपनी कवि‍ता केलि‍ए लोकतंत्र की तलाश है। वह लोकतंत्र और मानवाधि‍कारों के बि‍ना जिंदानहीं रहना चाहती। इसके लि‍ए वह दस साल से भूख हडताल पर है। वह शांति‍पूर्णप्रति‍वाद कर रही है।

उसने कभी हिंसा नहीं की। उसके खि‍लाफराज्‍य की संपत्‍ति‍ नष्‍ट करने का भी आरोप नहीं है। वह केन्‍द्र सरकार केखि‍लाफ राजद्रोह में भी शामि‍ल नहीं रही।उसके खि‍लाफ कि‍सी भी कि‍स्‍म केअपराध का मामला सरकार नहीं बना पायी है। इसके बावजूद वह मणि‍पुर में कैद है। वह लोकतंत्र की देवी है उसका नाम है इरोम चानू शर्मि‍ला।

आज सेठीक दस साल पहले 2 नबम्‍बर 2000 को उसने भूख हडताल आरंभ की थी, उसकी मांगहै कि‍ मणि‍पुर से '' आर्म्‍स फोर्सेज स्‍पेशल पावर एक्‍ट 1958'' को तुरंतहटाया जाए। इस कानून के बहाने इस इलाके में सेना को उत्‍पीड़न करने के अबाधअधि‍कार मि‍ल गए हैं। इरोम का भारत के लोकतंत्र में गहरा वि‍श्‍वास है औरवह चाहती है कि‍ मणि‍पुर के नागरि‍कों के मानवाधि‍कारों की रक्षा की जाए।इस इलाके के लोगों को मानवाधि‍कारों का उपभोग करने का मौका दि‍या जाए। इरोमदस साल से भूख हडताल पर है पुलि‍स के लोग उसे नलि‍यों के जरि‍ए जबर्दस्तीखाना -पानी देते रहे हैं।

इरोम को सेना ,सत्‍ता,यश,दौलत,पद,पुरस्‍कार नहीं चाहि‍ए । वह शांति‍ से रहना चाहती है।अपने ही लोगों की सुरक्षा के साए में रहना चाहती है। इरोम आज उत्‍तरपूर्वीराज्‍यों की ही नहीं बल्‍कि‍ सारे देश के आदि‍वासि‍यों,औरतों औरअल्‍पसंख्‍यकों के लोकतांत्रि‍क अधि‍कारों के जंग की प्रतीक बन गयी है। वहमानवाधि‍कारों के लि‍ए धीरे धीरे गल रही है। उसकी मांग है कि‍ मणि‍पुर से ''सैन्‍यबल वि‍शेषाधि‍कार कानून'' हटाया जाए। पुलि‍स उसे दस साल सेजबर्दस्‍ती खाने खि‍ला रही है। उसने अपने हाथ से न तो खाना खाया है और एकबूंद पानी ही पीया है। आज वह भारत की सत्‍ता के खि‍लाफ प्रति‍वाद प्रतीक बनगयी है।
उसने वि‍शेष सैन्‍य कानून को 'नो' बोल दि‍या है। उसका 'नो' या 'नहीं' अनेकार्थी है। उसके 'नहीं' में वि‍भ्रम नहीं है। अस्‍थि‍रतानहीं है। अति‍रि‍क्‍त अर्थ अथवा अति‍रंजना भी नहीं है। उसके 'नहीं' मेंमणि‍पुरी जनता के जानोमाल,सम्‍मान और स्‍वाभि‍मान की रक्षा का भाव व्‍यक्‍तहुआ है। वह 'नो' के जरि‍ए भारतीय सत्‍ता की वि‍भेदकारी दृष्‍टि‍ को सामनेला रही है।

उत्‍तर-पूर्व के आदि‍वासि‍यों और पर्वतीय जाति‍यों केप्रति‍ केन्‍द्र सरकार की असफल और भेदभावपूर्ण राजनीति‍ पर पर्दा डालने केलि‍ए वि‍शेष सेन्‍य कानून का इस्‍तेमाल कि‍या जा रहा है। उत्‍तर-पूर्व केराज्‍यों में यह कानून एक दशक से भी ज्‍यादा समय से लागू है। इरोम ने जब इसबर्बर कानून के प्रति‍ 'नो' कहा । उसका 'नो' शौकि‍या नहीं है।स्‍वत:स्‍फूर्त्‍त नहीं है। बल्‍कि‍ सुचिंति‍त है।इरोम ने जब 'नो' बोलाथा तो यह सि‍र्फ सैन्‍य कानून के प्रति‍ इंकार नहीं था बल्‍कि‍ भारत कीराजसत्‍ता का भी अस्‍वीकार था।

इरोम जब सैन्‍य कानून को 'नो' बोलरही थी तो वह भारतीय सत्‍ता के शोषक उत्‍पीडक शासन को भी 'नो' कह रही थी,वहउन तमाम कानूनों को भी 'नो' कह रही थी जो मणि‍पुरी जनता के मानवाधि‍‍कारोंका हनन करते हैं। वह उन तमाम जाति‍यों और सामाजि‍क समूहों के प्रवि‍लेज कोभी 'नो' कह रही है जो केन्‍द्र की नीति‍यों के कारण इन्‍हें मि‍ले हैं। वहहमारे संवि‍धान में नि‍हि‍त मानवाधि‍कार वि‍रोधी कानूनों को भी 'नो' कहरही है। आज उसके 'नो' में एक नहीं अनेक 'नो' शामि‍ल हैं। वह पूंजीवादीवि‍कास की कल्‍याणकारी नीति‍यों को भी 'नो' कह रही है। उसका 'नो' मानवाधि‍कार से वंचि‍त आदि‍वासि‍यों की आवाज है।

इरोम का 'नो' एकस्‍त्री का 'नो' नहीं है। वह अपने 'नो' के जरि‍ए बता रही है कि‍ उत्‍तरपूर्व में सब कुछ सामान्‍य नहीं है। उसका 'नो' उत्‍तरपूर्व के आर्थि‍कवि‍कास की पोल खोलता है।केन्‍द्र सरकार का उत्‍तर पूर्व के राज्‍यों कोलेकर जि‍स तरह का दमनात्‍मक और उपेक्षापूर्ण रवैयया रहा है उस सबको वह 'नो' कह रही है।
इरोम का 'नो' एक औरत का 'नो' है। औरत जब कि‍सी बात पर 'नो' कहती है तो बागी कहलाती है। उसने सचमुच में मानवाधि‍कारों के लि‍एबगावत कर दी है। उसने औरत और आदि‍वासी जाति‍यों के स्‍वाभि‍मान के लि‍एबगावत कर दी है उसकी बगावत खाली नहीं जाएगी। यह ऐसी बगावत है जि‍सनेकेन्‍द्र की नींद हराम कर दी है। यह ऐसी बगावत है जि‍से सेना रोक नहीं पारही है,यह ऐसी बगावत है जि‍समें जनता की बजाय सत्‍ता हिंसा पर उतर आयी है।

हमारे देश की तमाम प्रमुख राजनीति‍क पार्टियां ,मध्‍यवर्ग -उच्‍चमध्‍यवर्ग और मीडि‍या कल्‍याणकारी राज्‍य के फल खाने में मशगूल हैं।उन्‍हें उत्‍तर पूर्व का संकट समझ में नहीं आता।उनकी इसमें कोईदि‍लचस्‍पी नहीं है।वे इरोम की भूख हडताल पर उद्वेलि‍त नहीं होते।
बौद्धि‍कों का समाज परजीवि‍यों और चंचल लोगों के रूप में इधर उधर के मसलोंपर मीडि‍या से लेकर सेमीनारों में तलवार भांजता रहता है। लेकि‍न उसेआदि‍वासि‍यों के मसले,उपेक्षा और अपमान परेशान नहीं करते। आदि‍वासी यदि‍अपनी कि‍सी समस्‍या पर समाधान के लि‍ए राजनीति‍क प्रति‍क्रि‍या व्‍यक्तकरते हैं तो तुरंत हिंसा हिंसा का हाहाकार शुरू हो जाता है।

इरोमशर्मीला के 'नो' ने भारत के बहुसांस्‍कृति‍कवाद की भी पोल खोल दी है। हमारीसत्‍ता प्रचार में बहुसांस्‍कृति‍कवाद का जि‍तना ही ढोल पीटे व्‍यवहार मेंउसने बहुसांस्‍कृति‍क सहि‍ष्‍णुता को न्‍यूनतम स्‍पेस तक नहीं दि‍या है।आज अधि‍कांश आदि‍वासी इलाके सेना के हवाले हैं अथवा साम्‍प्रदायि‍क औरपृथकतावादि‍यों के कब्‍जे में हैं। इन राज्‍यों से लोकतांत्रि‍क ताकतेंएकसि‍रे से गायब कर दी गयी हैं अथवा हाशि‍ए पर पहुँचा दी गयी हैं।इनराज्‍यों में लोकतंत्र और मानवाधकारों के अभाव में वि‍भि‍न्‍न जनजाति‍योंके बीच में वि‍द्वेष और टकराव चरर्मोत्‍कर्ष पर पहुँच गया है।

इरोमशर्मीला का प्रति‍वाद कि‍सी भी तरह पृथकतावादी नहीं है। उसकी कोई मांग भीपृथकतावादी नहीं है। इन इलाकों में वि‍शेष सैन्‍य कानून और जनता केप्रति‍नि‍धि‍यों का शासन एक साथ चल रहा है। इन दोनों में गहरा अन्‍तर्विरोघहै। सेना के शासन और मानवाधि‍कारों के अभाव में लोकतंत्र का शासन मूलत:अधि‍नायकवादी तंत्र है।

मणि‍पुर में सेना को वि‍शेष अधि‍कार देने केबाद सामाजि‍क जीवन में शांति‍ नहीं लौटी है,अपराध नहीं घटे हैं। अपराध औरउत्‍पीड़न का ग्राफ नि‍रंतर बढा है। उत्‍तर औपनि‍वेशक समाजों की यह ठोससच्‍चाई है जि‍तना ज्‍यादा पुलि‍स और सैन्‍यबलों का इस्‍तेमाल समाज केनि‍यमन के लि‍ए कि‍या गया है उतना ही अराजकता और अव्‍यवस्‍था बढ़ी है।उत्‍तर औपनि‍वेशि‍क परि‍स्‍थि‍ति‍यों और समस्‍याओं के समाधान सेना औरपुलि‍स के हाथ में देने से समस्‍या और भी उलझी है। उत्‍तर पूर्व केराज्‍यों से लेकर जम्‍मू-कश्‍मीर तक और इधर लालगढ में सेना और पुलि‍स कीजि‍तनी नि‍गरानी और हस्‍तक्षेप बढा है उससे समाज और भी ज्‍यादाअनि‍यंत्रि‍त हुआ है।
इस युग में जि‍तनी सेना उतनी ही अराजकता।जि‍तनी पुलि‍स की नि‍गरानी उतना ही ज्‍यादा अपराधी हिंसाचार। मणि‍पुर भी इसफि‍नोमि‍ना से बचा नहीं है। सरकार ने सेना को वि‍शेष अधि‍कार समाज कोअनुशासि‍त करने और दंडि‍त करने के लि‍ए दि‍ए हैं लेकि‍न इसके परि‍णामउल्‍टे नि‍कले हैं । उत्‍तर पूर्व के राज्‍यों में पहले की तुलना में आजज्‍यादा अराजकता और असुरक्षा है। जि‍नके हाथ में सत्‍ता है वे लोकतंत्र औरआजादी का नाटक कर रहे हैं। मानवाधि‍कारों के अभाव में उत्‍तर पूर्व केराज्‍यों में राष्‍ट्र-राज्‍य की पकड़ कमजोर हुई है। राष्‍ट्र-राज्‍य कीकमजोरि‍यों को छि‍पाने के लि‍ए सेना को वि‍शेष अधि‍कार देने के बहानेकेन्‍द्र अपना इन राज्‍यों में वर्चस्‍व बनाए रखना चाहता है।

आयरनीयह है कि‍ इन इलाकों में भारत सरकार का शासन है लेकि‍न आम लोगों के साथसरकार का संबंध पूरी तरह कट चुका है। आम लोग भारत में रहते हुए भी उन तमामअधि‍कारों से अपने को वंचि‍त हैं जो दि‍ल्‍ली-मुंबई-चेन्‍नई आदि‍ केनागरि‍क उपभोग कर रहे हैं। इन राज्‍यों के नागरि‍कों का दैनन्‍दि‍न अनुभवभारत सरकार और उसके तंत्र के प्रति‍ आस्‍थाएं कमजोर करता है। भारत सरकार नेअपने इन इलाकों में आतंक का हौव्‍वा खड़ा कि‍या और बाद में उसके दमन केलि‍ए सेना को वि‍शेषाधि‍कार देकर दमन चक्र आरंभ कर दि‍या।
उत्‍तरपूर्व को लेकर सत्‍ता का शानदार मीडि‍या प्रबंधन है ।भारत मेंज्‍यादातर पत्र-पत्रि‍काएं पढने वाले तक इन राज्‍यों में क्‍या हो रहाहै,सेना क्‍या कर रही है, माफि‍या गि‍रोह क्‍या कर रहे हैं, भूमि‍गत संगठनकैसे अपराधी गति‍वि‍धि‍यों में लि‍प्‍त हैं,इरोम शर्मीला कौन है और वह कि‍सबात के लि‍ए दस साल से भूख हडताल पर है इत्‍यादि‍ सवालों के बारे में आमलोग एकदम नहीं जानते। मीडि‍या में उत्‍तरपूर्व एकसि‍‍रे से गायब है।
मीडि‍या में केन्‍द्र के प्रधान राजनीति‍क दलों,सैलीब्रेटी ,फि‍ल्‍मीगाने और क्रि‍केट की खबरों के बहाने लोकतंत्र के समूचे सारवान खबरों केसंसार को अपदस्‍थ कर दि‍या गया है। मीडि‍या ने लोकतंत्र और मानवाधि‍कारोंको क्रि‍केट और सैलीब्रेटी के जरि‍ए अपदस्‍थ कर दि‍या है। राजनीति‍ में भीमीडि‍या सि‍र्फ केन्‍द्र के प्रधानदल और वि‍पक्ष की राजनीति‍ के सतहीसवालों मशगूल रहता है। उसकी क्षेत्रीय राजनीति‍ खासकर उत्‍तर पूर्वीराज्‍यों की राजनीति‍ को एजेंडा बनाने में दि‍लचस्‍पी नहीं होती। वहमानवाधि‍कारहनन के बडे सवालों में नि‍रंतर दि‍लचस्‍पी नहीं लेता।

मणि‍पुर की पुलि‍स व्‍यवस्‍था कुछ इस तरह की है कि‍ आए दि‍न थाने मेंबंदी मार दि‍ए जाते हैं अथवा एनकाउंटर करके लोग मार दि‍ए जाते हैं। जो लोगअपराध कर रहे हैं उन्‍हें पुलि‍स पकड़ नहीं पाती है इसके वि‍परीत नि‍र्दोषनागरि‍क मार दि‍ए जाते हैं। औरतों के साथ बलात्‍कार की घटनाएं इस दौरान बढीहैं। ह्यूमन राइटस वाच गुप ने मांग की है कि‍ भारत सरकार तुरंत एक्‍शन ले।क्‍योंकि‍ मणि‍पुर मेंसुरक्षाबलों और हथि‍यारबंद गि‍रोहों के द्वारा रोजर्नि‍दोष लोगों की हत्‍याएं की जा रही हैं। अपहरण कि‍या जा रहा है। यह भीमांग की है भारत सरकार तुरंत 'सैन्‍य बल (वि‍शेषाधि‍कार) कानून ' को खत्‍मकरे। उल्‍लेखनीय है इस कानून को खत्‍म करने के बारे में केन्‍द्र सरकार केद्वारा बि‍ठाई गयी कमेटी सि‍फारि‍श सन् 2004 में कर चुकी है। इसके बावजूदकेन्‍द्र सरकार ने इस जनवि‍रोधी कानून को अभी तक खत्‍म नहीं कि‍या है।

This article has been written by Dr. Jagdishwar Chaturvedi of Kolkata University. 

Also published @ http://www.janjwar.com/2011-05-27-09-06-02


Sixth Article of the Article-series: In the World's largest democracy, a democratic voice silenced for 12 years

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom. This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of struggle. 

Here's the sixth article: 

In the World's Largest Democracy, a democratic voice silenced for 12 years 

By Pallavi Ghosh


Twelve years of persistent resistance by a lady in Manipur. So what this is all about? What is Irom Sharmila against? I can only try, the rest is up to the readers. What she is really opposing is the military regime existing in Manipur. Not that long ago, the world witnessed the victory of Aung-sung-su-kyi, the Burmese political leader against similar oppressive military regime. Even in the Arab region there have been persistent protests and active movements against such oppressive structures and systems. The war is on and the result is undecided yet.

But one might argue that the case is different. India is after all a democracy and the most successful in the Indian subcontinent.  Yes, I cannot possibly deny the first part, but the latter is rather contentious, especially in a place where riots break out of ethnic differences even today and the  farmers’ suicide rate is still formidable.

Speaking about the similarity between all such regimes all over the world, all of them share a similar resistant or ignorant attitude towards any kind of critical mass movement.

Thankfully in a democracy one is at least allowed to speak. So I dare to ask as to why Irom’s 12-year-long struggle has been sidelined as though she was a child crying for her lost toy! Is it because she is a woman? Or is it because she is a common citizen and not a bureaucrat?
An entire nation was respectful and in awe of a seventy-five year-old man when he began his sole war against corruption. His week-long fast was so intimidating that it changed the course of parliamentary discussions. I am not against any activist in particular. Mr Hazare’s movement against corruption is indeed commendable. What I am against is the pretence that one pill can cure all diseases, which is rather characteristic of token democracy. Every battle has a different stake and every battle is as important as any other. Therefore, Irom’s struggle is neither a penny more nor a penny less valuable than the protests against corruption today. Moreover, isn’t unaccountability the premise of corruption and is not the misuse of power one of the heads of the ten-headed evil, namely corruption?

When students marched supporting her cause, they were lathi-charged. When political leaders and social activists pressed her cause, they were conveniently ignored.

The basic characteristic of a democracy is transparency and accountability. This is what the AFSPA violates. Uncontrolled and unchecked power is always susceptible to misuse and abuse as the adage confirms-power corrupts an absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Humanity has always been the first casualty whenever power has been misused. Therefore what Irom Sharmila has been fighting for more than a decade now is not only for democracy in its true spirit, but also for humanity. 
 

Pallavi Ghosh is a  student at IIMC Orissa. She is a volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/ghosh301012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.In_the_World_Largest_Democracy_a_democratic_voice_silenced_for_12_years

Monday 29 October 2012

Fifth Article of the article series: The Oblivious Truth of Irom Sharmila and Her Hunger Strike of 12 years


As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom. This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of struggle. 

Here's the fifth article:

The Oblivious Truth of Irom Sharmila and Her Hunger Strike of 12 years

By Abhijit Bhomia

“If Sharmila dies, Parliament is directly responsible,” she thundered at a gathering of journalists. “If she dies, courts and judiciary are responsible, the military is responsible… If she dies, the executive, the PM and President are responsible for doing nothing… If she dies, each one of you journalists is responsible because you did not do your duty…” these are the statements made by the Iranian nobel peace prize winner Shirin Ebadi on a trip to India in 2006 in support of Irom Sharmila Chanu.

Irom Sharmila, a poet, a social activist and a native of the ‘neglected’ state of Manipur and she is on hunger strike for 12 years now. Yes, twelve years, that is nothing in front of Anna Hazare’s fast of four days and still majority of Indians do not know about her and the cause she is fighting for. Irony, it is, that one person is getting so much media coverage and another person who is fighting for a similar cause is neglected by the government and most importantly by the media. She is fighting for the people of North East India and wants the repeal of AFSPA(Armed Forces Special Powers Act). The growing insurgency in Kashmir and North East India resulted in the inception of AFSPA. Citizens of these regions thought that now they would be safe from the militants but they did not know that atrocities by the men in uniform would follow soon. More than 20,000 people have been killed so far in Manipur alone, estimate the numbers of the whole North East.



Gandhi inspires her, and in this country of Gandhi, she is being jailed as she expresses her solidarity towards the Draconian law of AFSPA. She is not doing this for fame, but for the people of North East who are helpless and weak in front of the ruthless army. She has been fasting because this is the only weapon left with her and then she is being charged under ATTEMPT TO SUICIDE and is being jailed for a year and then police arrest her again after 2-3 days. Isn’t this what Anna Hazare is doing, and the police is not arresting him under the same charge. Double Standards.

The big Indian media houses boast about their ethics, where are those ethics when it comes to the coverage of Irom’s struggle? Do these media houses only want sky high TRPs and not highlight the news and development regarding to Irom’s hunger strike? Strong questions are left unanswered about ETHICAL media.

Leaving aside the double standards of the police and the media, let me talk about the government now. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh formed a committee in 2004 to look into the matter of AFSPA, the committee was headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy. The report by the committee has been submitted to the government but it has not made it public yet but the report is there with The Hindu and it clearly recommends the repeal of AFSPA as "the Act, for whatever reason, has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and highhandedness".

The report was submitted to the government years back but nothing has been done till now. If it has been proved that the law, instead of solving problems, has created problems then why hasn’t it been repealed? Why are they still silent? Why are the suppressing her and till when will they do? 12 years of ignoring the plea for humanity, isint that enough?

Abhijit Bhomia is a student at BITS , Pilani and Volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. He can be reached at abhijit493@gmail.com 

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/bhomia291012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.The_Oblivious_Truth_of_Irom_Sharmila_and_Her_Hunger_Strike_of_12_years


Sunday 28 October 2012

Fourth Article of the Article-series : Diary entry of Irom Sharmila on the eve of 5th November

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom. This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of struggle. 

Here's the fourth article: 

Diary entry of Irom Sharmila on the eve of 5th November

By Shekhar Jain



If I were Irom Sharmila, my diary entry on the eve of 5th November would have been:



“Tomorrow it will be 12 years. I still remember my last dinner which I ate with my mother. Now, I don’t even remember how food tastes and to run for water when you are really thirsty. Seems like, I have gone past the need of these two necessary evils. But...But did I ever imagine doing this…??? Did I ever imagine my fight will be this long??? God always helped me and I always thank him for all the strength he gave me to survive. Although this nostril tube irritates me sometimes but having it for 12 years now, it has become like another organ of my body.



When I remember the day when Assam rifles had killed those innocent people, I still shudder. The face of  that 18 years kid, who won the child bravery award and could have been a future for India and that 62 old year mother…They still gives me more strength to keep my fight alive.

I always read about Mahatma Gandhi and his non violence stories. I tried to follow the same path but I never imagined that my call for non-violence and peace will be ignored by the same Government whose offices are decorated with framed photo of Mahatma Gandhi. Seems like they forgotten his values of peace and non-violence. 

They have not only ignored my voice but have also implicated me in a false case. Every year, I have to appear in the court for a false case. They have levied a charge which is not only false but also disrespects my step. I have been charged of committing “suicide”. Even the British govt knew that Mahatama Ghandhi was on a protest and was not committing suicide. I do not wish to die. I want the Government to save me and my people. For this, I am ready to sacrifice my life. It is not suicide, it is a form of protest. And I had learnt this way of protest from my nation and keeping my faith alive in my nation, I will continue this. I am fighting for humanity and I will keep on doing this. 

I never felt I was alone but sometimes. Few incidences that have come to my knowledge have been very disturbing but have given me the strength to go on. The killing of Manorama was one of them. I still feel horrified the way, i heard, she was assassinated. God knows what all happened with her before she was killed. I heard that after the incident, there was a naked parade.  I must salute all the women who did that. It takes a lot of courage in doing something like this.

I tried to take my voice directly to the centre and went to Delhi in 2006 but I was not allowed to stay there and was forcefully sent back to Manipur. I have been confined to a room in Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital for 12 years. Another thing that I do not understand is that even as a prisoner, I have not been given my rights. Unlike other prisoners, I have not been allowed visitors. Why do people have to take permission from four authorities to meet me?  I am not a terrorist. I am a reputed citizen of India who has faith in the Indian constitution. 

Recently someone told me that I am a record holder for longest fast. Ripley’s believe it or not had published my name.  Though I never wanted to set such a record but my regards to them for their recognition!

I sometimes wonder…if not about my life and my people’s life, isn’t the Government bothered about the image of our country? What will people think about the World’s largest democracy? What about the image of our diverse nation, “unity in diversity” phrase? Isn’t the Government bothered? I know that many people all across the nation support me. They write to me and tell me how whenever someone hears of my plight, they are sympathetic towards me. They are shocked. If not on the grounds on humanity and justice, the Government should think about how it is deteriorating the sense of patriotism.

I demand the repeal of AFSPA. It is something which will bring peace in the mind and heart of north- eastern people. I want myself and people in my region to have a normal and peaceful life. Is it wrong? Is it such an extravagant demand? I am only demanding peace and justice. Till when will this struggle go on…Till when will I be hungry, for peace, for justice and for non-violence? 
I just hope and pray may this new year bring a answer to few of my question.

Shekhar Jain is a recent post-graduate in electronics from Delhi University. He is a volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. He can be reached at jainshekhar36@gmail.com 

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/jain281012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.Diary_entry_of_Irom_Sharmila_on_the_eve_of_5th_November

Saturday 27 October 2012

Third Article of the Article-series: LONG LIVE THE IRON LADY OF MANIPUR- IROM SHARMILA


As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom. This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of struggle. 

Here's the third article. We request to kindly publish this and support our endeavor. 

LONG LIVE THE IRON LADY OF   MANIPUR- IROM SHARMILA   

By Asis Mishra 


                   
“It (non-violence) is the only thing that atomic bomb cannot destroy”- Irom Sharmila

All of us must have come across her name-Irom Sharmila, in newspapers, magazines and electronic media. Only a few of us actually know: Who is she?  why is she  doing protest in such a manner? What are the circumstances that forced her to take such a harsh step?

 Well, Imagine a situation where you see bloodshed, murder, violence on a daily basis. People in uniform (Indian Army) would visit your locality and kill innocent people. What impact would it have on your mind? How would we react to it? Most of us would react to this situation by remaining silent .Some would even stay indoors.  None of us would dare to stand against the mighty Indian Army. Under such horrible circumstances, Irom Sharmila Chanu, the  28-year-old daughter of a Grade IV veterinary worker , decided to fight against the powerful army and its draconian law – the  armed force special power act.  Even though she belongs to a poor and humble background, her continued fight against AFSPA speaks volumes of her courage and integrity.

It all started on 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley where ten civilians were allegedly shot and killed by the Assam rifles, one of the India’s paramilitary forces, operating in the state, while waiting at a bus stop. The incident later came to be known to activists as the "Malom Massacre". The next day's local newspapers published graphic pictures of the dead bodies, including one of a 62-year old woman, Leisangbam Ibetomi, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner. It was this incident that made the then 28 year aged Irom  Sharmila Chanu start her indefinite fast as  a mark of protest against the atrocities done by army. Since then, she has been regularly arrested by police on charges of “attempt to suicide”.By 2004, she had become “an icon of public resistance” .In October 2,2006 , she visited Rajghat and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. At the same time, she met and won the support of Nobel-laureate Shirin Ebidi , the Nobel Laureate and human rights activist, who promised to take up Sharmila's cause at United Nations Human Rights Council. In 2011, she invited anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare to visit Manipur, and Hazare sent two representatives to meet with her. In October 2011, she received support from Manipur Pradesh All India Trinmool congress and they urged the party chief Mamata Banerjee to support the cause of Irom .

Apart from being a political activist, she is also a poet. Her poem “"Fragrance of Peace” is quite popular among the youths of Manipur. She has also received awards  in India and abroad. She was awarded the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, which is given to "an outstanding person or group, active in the promotion and advocacy of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights". In 2010, she won a lifetime achievement award from the Asian Human Rights Commission.

In spite of all this, the government of India has not repealed the AFSPA and had not taken any action against army jawans and officers indulging in atrocities. So a question arises: Is this acceptable? Being a citizen of India, is it not our duty to express solidarity with her? Manipur is as integral a part of India as the rest of the states are. For how long, will we tolerate the injustices done to innocent Manipuris by the devils in the army? Is it not high time to repeal AFSPA at least for a temporary period of time? Much more, the episode of Irom Sharmila also brings about serious questions about our democracy and how it operates at ground level. It is no doubt to say that it is a blot on the face of India. Well, these are the questions whose solutions are to be found out by the Government of India and the people. Merely writing articles or giving condolences won’t work, much more needs to be done.  We need to be united. We need to tell the Government that we all want it to be repealed. We all want her voice to be heard.

Asis Mishra is an engineering student from Bhubaneshwar. He is a volunteer of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. He can be reached at asisoec@gmail.com 

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/mishra271012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.Long_Live_The_Iron_Lady_Of_Manipur_Irom_Sharmila

Friday 26 October 2012

Second article of the article-series: THE STATE IN WHICH THEY LIE


As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest to favor Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.


In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom. This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of struggle. 


Here's the second article:-


THE STATE IN WHICH THEY LIE

By Mansi Rastogi


The image that conjures in the mind of an individual when one hears 'Northeast India' would be of pristine and less explored nature,  lush  green meadows, men  and  women  in  their  tribal attires, animal horns and skin. But  what  else beyond that? With  problems like insurgency,  unemployment, drug  addiction,  and lack of infrastructure, India has failed to instill  a sense of national identity  amongst the North  eastern states in its 60 plus years of independence.

One such state is Manipur, which is a border state, though only on the political map. For Indians the mainland politico ends at Kolkata in the northeast. Most of the roads are blocked cutting the state from the rest of India, hospitals do not run, and there is a defunct administration predominated by terrorists who virtually rule the land. In such lawless conditions the education system is bound to go through a downfall with schools being shut for 15 days a month.  The  Manipuri  people  hardly  get  to  celebrate Independence  Day  or  Republic  Day-  they  are  not allowed by the insurgent groups who dictate the state's life. Only under heavy security cover can government buildings hoist the tricolour for a short while. The city shuts down after 9 P.M. Hindi films are banned and have not  been screened for  the  last fifteen  years. To fight insurgency in Manipur, the Indian government has put up the ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWER) ACT, which has further worsened the condition.

The AFSPA was created for the seven 'disturbed' north eastern states in 1958 to empower the armed forces officers to shoot or arrest  any  person  suspected  of  being  an  insurgent  or  on committing any offence and giving them permission to enter any building  without  a  warrant.  Moreover,  it  provides  complete exemption from prosecution of any officer for their misdeeds as it requires Central Government's permission. Let alone fighting the insurgency, this act has caused massive havoc in the state as a result of abuse of powers by Indian Army. After imposition of AFSPA, instead of reducing, the insurgent groups are mushrooming. Undoubtedly the AFSPA has failed. The AFSPA has bred  a  military  culture  of  torture,  rape,  extra-judicial  killings, mysterious disappearances and arbitrary detention. As a matter of fact AFSPA could also be a reason for insurgency which is seen more amongst the young blood to seek revenge for the atrocities caused by the Indian Army to their families and dear ones. There have been many protests to abolish the AFSPA mainly by women but neither the government nor the media has paid much heed to them.

Irom Sharmila Chanu, a 38 year old poet , is on a hunger strike since November 2000. She started her protest primarily due to arbitrary killing of 10 civilians waiting at a bus stop at Malom, Manipur. She was then arrested under the charge of attempting suicide. Since then she has been released and rearrested every year at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital where she is fed forcibly by the Nasogastric tube which makes it uncomfortable for her to speak properly. The wing where she has been kept is highly guarded by armed personnel and it requires permission of seven officials to visit her. Irom has  been  honored  with  awards  like  Rabindranath  Tagore Peace Prize and Gwangju prize for Human Rights by South Korea. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice in the years 2005 and 2010 but it all seems to be in vain when her own country refuses to even attend to her demands, let alone agree.

It's unfortunate that largest democratic country hasn't recognised the peaceful protest of its people. People of Manipur want development at par with mainland India. It's high time the government puts away the permanent state of emergency from the northeastern states and grants them the right to live. How many of us would sacrifice their lives  like  Irom,  who  hasn't seen her mother for 11years, for  whom  the  world  is  a shabby  room  of  a  hospital, colours of life are just white and black cuttings of newspapers,  and  rifles  and AK-47s  have  become  her constant companions? While the  'Iron  lady'  battles  every second of life for the people of  Manipur,  media  is  busy covering  bollywood's  glitz and  glamour.  One  can  only hope that the face-off between  the  military  rule, State  government  and  the rebel groups would  come to an  end,  granting  the  much elusive freedom for the aam aadmi to truly relish.

Mansi Rastogi is an engineer by profession but would also like to do her “bid” for the society. She has worked with boond, a social enterprise. She can be reached at mansi.hg@gmail.com

Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/rastogi261012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.The_State_In_Which_They_Lie


Thursday 25 October 2012

First Article in the article-series on Irom: Questioning the world's largest democracy, a fair judiciary and star-obsessed media

As a recent move of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), a nationwide protest against the neglect and suppression of Irom Sharmila, is observing 12 Article series to reflect 12 years of suppression of Irom Sharmila's fast.

In this series one article per day will be published on its website and will be dedicated to one year fast of Irom.

This will conclude on 5th November, the day when Irom Sharmila will be unfortunately completing her 12 years of stuggle. 

Here's the first article: 

Questioning the world's largest democracy, a fair judiciary and star-obsessed media

By Swathi Gadepalli


Sharmila who? I wondered when I had read her name a few months back on a networking site. Must be a weight lifter or some sportsperson, I thought. Then I read the caption below, the words "fast" caught my attention. Oh! It must be someone from Hazare's camp fasting for that anti-corruption bill. Just as that thought came into my mind I decided to click on the link to know more, (because through the media I had followed the movement with a patriotic fervor and had felt like I was really a part of the campaign.) Then her picture emerged in which there was sort of pipe to her nose, her condition must be serious to warrant such food pipes and stuff I thought, How many days had she been on the hunger strike I wondered next, I read the article. It had shocked the hell out of me. Eleven years (twelve now) of fasting?? Why? How? When? I didn’t understand anything else. Just that, eleven years a lady had fasted...Eleven years...a lady had felt so close to a cause that she decided to dedicate her time, energy and health to fight for it. Then I reread the article to know what was the cause for which a person can go to such length. I read something about special powers given to the army to protect civilians from “militants” was being misused and abused by the army. Fake encounters and killing of innocents was mentioned. What special powers are they talking about? Looking up for these "powers “on wikipedia left me feeling cheated. Cheated by my own nation, yes the law and order situation must have been horrible in these places to put the armed forces there-accepted, yes they need to fight militancy and keep terrorism at bay-accepted but nothing gives the right for a culprit, a rapist roaming freely whether hes a civilian or an armyman. 

It saddened me to think that some people in the army are doing all this when they should be the one who are supposed to protect us, but it's not completely their fault; it's the fault of the Govt. to have given them such arbitrary power, like a parent allowing a small kid to play with fire...it will eventually burn the kid’s hands or it may let the kid set fire to the house.
But what is also shocking to me is the fact that at a time when the media of the nation has become a force to reckon with, it is really a sorry thing to see how the media chooses to highlight some issues while ignoring the others. It is the same media who made a five day fast into a nationwide movement while ignoring a 12 year fast in A NORTH EASTERN STATE. The good old trips and the glamour quotient of a news item seem to dictate what is to shown in the name of "news". SHAME that the media decides what is fit for us to know and what is not. And sad that most people like me have no idea who she is. Sharmila who indeed!!

Swathi Gadepalli is a student from Hyderabad. She can be mailed at swathi.gadepalli@gmail.com


Also published at http://www.countercurrents.org/gadepalli251012.htm

http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Irom_Sharmila.Questioning_the_world_largest_democracy_a_fair_judiciary_and_star-obsessed_media