Irom Sharmila and the power of hunger strikes

Irom Sharmila, who undertook the world's longest hunger strike lasting nearly 16 years, says it is not the individual who counts in a strategic form of protest. She thinks popular mobilisation and support are more important. Reflecting on the recent resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sharmila says the government acquiesced because of the cross-country support for the demands of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). People, she says, took a united stand, which is necessary for a collective goal. She was on a hunger strike in Manipur between 2000 and 2016 for the repeal of a draconian law, which drew some support but was not successful.Sharmila, an iconic figure from the acutely troubled state of Manipur, is celebrated for her 16-year strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a law that has its origins in colonial times and which gives sweeping powers to Indian military personnel over life and death. Criminal prosecution of soldiers allegedly involved in such incidents depends on Central government clearance — this has never been given in the 70 years of the law's existence.During her marathon hunger strike, Sharmila was force-fed through a nasal drip because of a court order and official concern that it would be calamitous if she died. Through the tube, she was fed a carefully calibrated liquid diet containing protein, carbohydrates and vitamins up to three times a day. During her confinement, she would make occasional court appearances before being taken back to her hospital detention.The police had to take her to a court in Imphal to request renewal of her detention once a year because the maximum sentence for attempt to die by suicide was one year at the time. During her incarceration, she was largely kept in a special ward in a local government hospital as she grew increasingly fragile.Her frail appearance belied her steely resolve. A familiar media image during her fast was that of her surrounded by police with the nasal drip in place as she grew into a national and international figure, hailed as the Iron Lady of Manipur, on issues of human rights and state impunity.While government committees have recommended repeal of the Act, partly as a confidence-building measure, the Central government has refused to bow to the demand. I was a member of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee that had advocated repeal after holding extensive public hearings across states.Sharmila was arrested for the first time in November 2000 for 'attempting suicide', which was then unlawful, under Section 309 of the former Indian Penal Code, and, hence, the nasal feeding. Attempted suicide is decriminalised under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.Over the years, she became a figure that rallied communities across ethnicities and states, especially in the North-East. A hunger strike, Sharmila says, "harms nobody else except our own body", noting that she did not drink a single drop of water during all the years of her fast."They could not punish … that is the power" of the fast. But she also knows that the "body deteriorates" over time. What was important, and this she underlines time and again, is "collective unity for the cause and to work for change."In two telephone interviews, she spoke softly, slowly but firmly and clearly. When I talked to her, an image appeared in front of my eyes : her face, crowned by crinkled hair, wearing a determined grimace as if in pain.She sounds disappointed that such a massive mobilisation as over the issue of education had not happened in the case of AFSPA. She believes that some people had wanted to use her for publicity and their own advantage.She finally decided to call off the fast and contested the election against the then incumbent Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, but lost overwhelmingly. Her political decision led to a break with her supporters, who demanded that she continue to fast. But Sharmila stood firm — she had made her point single-handedly over 16 years. No one could challenge her integrity or commitment.It is something that still upsets her deeply. "They did not want me except as a martyr … I did believe I would get support, but it never happened."Sharmila left Manipur and that life. She got married and now lives with her husband in Bangalore with their twin sons. Does she still think about that the earlier struggle which consumed such a large part of her life — she's now 54 — and reflect on those years?"Our life's journey and feelings are always evolving," she remarks. Pausing, she adds, "It keeps changing, that was my cause in life" (at the time).Although AFSPA remains on the statute books, the law has been withdrawn from extensive parts of Assam and Nagaland, where conditions have stabilised. Many fighting factions are smoking the peace pipe with the Centre — and with their rivals. AFSPA is still in place in Manipur, her home state, which has been caught in a brutal, traumatising three-way division along ethnic and political lines. Sharmila described conditions there as "horrible".She remains committed to AFSPA's repeal, a demand that has vanished for years from the front pages and headlines. The problem, says Sharmila, is that this is a colonial-era law that remains in use and that too in places where people look and dress differently from much of India.If removing it is a security constraint, as pro-State media pundits and military analysts argue, then why wasn't it used during terrorist attacks on Mumbai, or in Naxalite-hit areas, she asks. AFSPA is in use in parts of the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and in the North-eastern states.I think the reason the movement against AFSPA has not succeeded is that many Indians don't want to take a position that could be viewed as against the Army, which is seen as a pillar of the country's security. However, as some of us have pointed out — improving accountability is critical to strengthening official morale and bolstering public confidence. The other reason is anchored in what journalist Rajdeep Sardesai has spoken of — the tyranny of distance.The issue of education galvanised everyone because it concerns everyone. The scale of outrage, media attention, mobilisation and determination shown in New Delhi by young people and their supporters was not seen in Irom Sharmila's epic fast. The use of social media and digital technology on the education issue was nothing short of spectacular; it was largely missing in Sharmila's case.

Irom Sharmila and the power of hunger strikes

The scale of outrage, media attention, mobilisation and determination shown in Delhi by young people was not seen in Irom Sharmila’s epic fast

Sanjoy Hazarika

Irom Sharmila and the power of hunger strikes

The scale of outrage, media attention, mobilisation and determination shown in Delhi by young people was not seen in Irom Sharmila’s epic fast

Sanjoy Hazarika

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