Her lawyer, Khaidem Mani, had previously fought the charge in court by arguing that a hunger strike is not a crime, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s strike as an example of peaceful protest.
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With the plastic tubing still taped to her nose and feeble, speaking in her native Metei language, Irom told reporters, “I am campaigning for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, which covers large parts of the northeast and the restive state of Kashmir.
I want to continue my struggle politically now”, said Sharmila, who has been termed as “Prisoner of Conscience” by the Amnesty International.
But Ms Sharmila chose to end her record-breaking defiance on Tuesday, admitting it would not succeed in forcing India’s government to revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Her fast began just days after 10 civilians were killed by paramilitary soldiers in Manipur.
And on Tuesday morning, she finally broke her fast, which ended up being the longest hunger strike in history.
Headline of the day aside, who really is Irom Sharmila and what has been her passive, non-violent resistance to India’s Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act all about?
Outside court in Manipur’s capital of Imphal earlier on Tuesday, she said she wanted to live like a “normal human being” and pledged to contest state elections due next year.
Shortly after beginning her protest, Sharmila was charged with “attempting to commit suicide”.
It gives Indian forces sweeping powers to search, enter property and shoot on sight, and has been criticised as a cover for human rights abuses. After the bond was furnished, a release order was issued.
On various political parties luring her to join their parties, Sharmila said, “Let them approach, I will just say I want to be an independent candidate”.
The 44-year-old activist was clear in her resolve to withdraw her fast and appealed to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court to set her free, soon after she reached the court at 10.58 am.
“I have been fasting for the last 16 years”.
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It prohibits soldiers from being prosecuted for alleged rights violations unless granted express permission from the federal government. The law gives security forces the right to shoot to kill suspected rebels without fear of possible prosecution and to arrest suspected militants without warrants.
