Irom Sharmila Chanu (born 14 March 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. On 2 November 2000, she began a hunger strike which is still ongoing, i.e. MORE THAN 13 Years
Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been
called "the world's longest hunger striker". She is currently on trial
for attempted suicide.
Beginning of fast
On 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, ten civilians were shot and killed while waiting at a bus stop. The incident, known as the "Malom Massacre", was allegedly committed by the Assam Rifles, one of the Indian Paramilitary forces operating in the state.[5][6] The victims included Leisangbam Ibetombi, a 62-year old woman, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner.
Sharmila, who was 28 at the time, began to fast in protest of the killings, taking neither food nor water. As her brother Irom Singhajit Singh recalled, "It was a Thursday. Sharmila used to fast on Thursdays since she was a child. That day she was fasting too. She has just continued with her fast"
Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide", which is unlawful under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and nasogastric intubation was forced on her in order to keep her alive while under arrest.
Current legal battle
Irom Sharmila continues to face the charge of attempted suicide. She is being held in enforced isolation which the National Human Rights Commission of India has recommended for the Manipur government to immediately stop. A summons has been issued for Sharmila Chanu to appear for trial on 19 December 2013.
Since the maximum sentence for attempted suicide is one year and she has been held for more than six years she has been told the case will be settled if she pleads guilty. However, she maintains she has not attempted suicide, but is protesting in the "most non-violent way, like Mahatma Gandhi."
Ojas S V, a theater artist from Pune, performed a mono-play titled Le Mashale ("Take the Torch"), based on Irom Sharmila's life and struggle. It is an adaptation of Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama written by Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran. The play was performed at several venues in several Indian states
Beginning of fast
On 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, ten civilians were shot and killed while waiting at a bus stop. The incident, known as the "Malom Massacre", was allegedly committed by the Assam Rifles, one of the Indian Paramilitary forces operating in the state.[5][6] The victims included Leisangbam Ibetombi, a 62-year old woman, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner.
Sharmila, who was 28 at the time, began to fast in protest of the killings, taking neither food nor water. As her brother Irom Singhajit Singh recalled, "It was a Thursday. Sharmila used to fast on Thursdays since she was a child. That day she was fasting too. She has just continued with her fast"
Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide", which is unlawful under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and nasogastric intubation was forced on her in order to keep her alive while under arrest.
Current legal battle
Irom Sharmila continues to face the charge of attempted suicide. She is being held in enforced isolation which the National Human Rights Commission of India has recommended for the Manipur government to immediately stop. A summons has been issued for Sharmila Chanu to appear for trial on 19 December 2013.
Since the maximum sentence for attempted suicide is one year and she has been held for more than six years she has been told the case will be settled if she pleads guilty. However, she maintains she has not attempted suicide, but is protesting in the "most non-violent way, like Mahatma Gandhi."
Works based on her life
Deepti Priya Mehrotra's Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur details Sharmila's life and the political background of her fastOjas S V, a theater artist from Pune, performed a mono-play titled Le Mashale ("Take the Torch"), based on Irom Sharmila's life and struggle. It is an adaptation of Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama written by Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran. The play was performed at several venues in several Indian states
