The iron lady on Manipur who has decided to fight elections talks about her life after ending her 16-year hunger strike, the insurgency and how to end it
Political activist Irom Sharmila ended her 16-year hunger strike against human rights abuses by the army in Manipur this August. She recently launched her party, the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, and announced her decision to contest the 2017 assembly polls. She will be contesting from two places—her home constituency Khurai and from Thoubal, CM Idobi Singh’s constituency. She talks to Dola Mitra about the insurgency, how to end it, and her new life.
Why another political party? How is yours different from others?
The main reason for forming our party is that we want Manipur’s domestic issues to be dealt with by a party which understands local situations and circumstances. We have long been ruled by parties that have dictated terms to Manipuris and imposed their own agendas on us. Like the AFSPA. We will do what it takes to repeal it.
It is said that your 16-year-fast for repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur didn’t take into account the insurgency problem that exists in the state.
I am not denying that there is a problem. But has the presence of armed forces and AFSPA solved insurgency? It has not. There have been grave human rights violations instead.
What is your solution to insurgency?
You cannot bring about peace with violence. We must go to the root of the problem of insurgency. Why does it exist? Why do people take to guns? No one chooses to lead a life of violence unless he or she feels it is the only way. We must find out through dialogue what it is that disturbs them? Are their demands justified or irrational? We must try to understand first. We live in a society where injustice does exist. Leaders of our country should devote themselves to the cause of creating a just society. You cannot point guns at the youth and tell them to fall in line. They will revolt if they feel they are being treated unfairly. I don’t condone violence, militancy. But the state should be responsible. If it offers love, instead of fear and threat, it will receive love in return.
In practical terms, what would you do exactly to engage insurgents in dialogue?
Dialogue is not necessarily about give and take. Those who have gone in a wrong direction must be made to feel that the state cares about them.
Since your release, have you proactively done anything to engage them in dialogue?
Yes. The message has gone out that I am there for people to come and discuss their problems. Whoever it is. People have come and met me.
Insurgents?
Do you regret that you spent 16 years tied to a hospital bed, especially since you did not achieve your goal?
No, I don’t regret anything. It was a process.
Manipur’s people were disappointed with your decision, including your family.
I hope people understand the reasons for my decision. My fight is for them. I am not sure how my family feels right now but they did come to meet me during the time of my release. My mother and my brothers and their families. I think it will take time for people to understand that I have not abandoned their cause. Right now it is difficult for them.
It was said that you had fallen in love with a gentleman who visited you several times at the hospital during your fast and are planning to get married. When will it happen?
He is in Ireland now. Yes, we do communicate. About my marriage, I feel that the people of Manipur should want it first (laughs).
How do you spend your time now?
I meet people. I read and write. I also cook. Initially it was difficult for me to chew solid food after being fed through my nose for so long, but now I am beginning to enjoy it. The people of ISKCON ashram, who have kindly extended their hospitality to me, are very warm. They have given me a room of my own and a kitchen. I love it here. I have completely surrendered myself to God.