Indian rights activist Chanu Sharmila, on Tuesday promised in New Delhi to end her hunger strike of 16 years in order to run in 2017 state elections. She further called for support from the public and said that to bring any positive change in the society, change in administration is needed and remarked that if she is able to become the Chief Minister, she along with support from other independent candidates may be able to bring a positive change in the society and repeal AFSPA.
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Speaking to journalists outside the court in the Manipur capital Imphal, she said her long campaign had not worked.
All these years, Sharmila was kept under detention at a prison hospital in Imphal (Manipur) and force-fed through a nasal tube.
Popularly known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur, ” Sharmila has staged the most powerful protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
“Politics is so dirty and everybody knows it”, she told reporters at a news conference in Imphal, the state capital.
This movement towards politics, while not completely unopposed, indicates a move towards a real change, a change that has been out of reach for the people of Manipur but transformed Sharmila into an icon of protest and resistance.
Sharmila was arrested and released several times under Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to her associates and family members, she learnt yoga in 1998, two years before she sat on the hunger strike which ended on Tuesday.
“We tweaked the nutrient dosage if she lost or gained weight (maintained at 51 kg)”, a former head of medicine at JNIMS said.
“With my blood let them wash their doubts and emotions”, she said after being released on bail. “Why should they remain trying to isolate me?” In 2013, Amnesty International declared her a “Prisoner of Conscience” and continues to refer to her this way.
Sharmila’s close associate, Babloo Loitongbam, said she would oppose army misconduct when she was released from detention on August 23.
“I will contest against Manipur chief minister”. She also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that he indulged in violence and in his own happiness.
“Rule the country with fatherly affection, not with draconian laws”.
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“We reimburse a pharmacy for the food supplements every month, and we ensure there’s enough stock of her ingredients for her liquid diet even during hard times”, Ngashangva said.
