Corruption crusader Anna Hazare may still be struggling to bring upon the change in the system, but he has inspired a 21-year-old student in the capital. While reading about Anna’s crusade, the mention of the lesser known, “Iron Lady” of Manipur, Irom Sharmila in a newspaper caught Devika Mittal’s eye.
When Devika got to know of how Irom has been fasting for the past 11 years and how her struggle remains unknown, she decided to spread the word about what Irom is fighting for.
So, Devika took up the mission of making Irom’s story know to the student community of the country.
“A woman has been on a hunger strike for more than a decade in the world’s largest democracy. I was shocked. Her story has been neglected for long now,” she says.
She gathered information about Irom and her mission and went on various social networking sites to create a buzz about her.
“Faisal Khan of National Alliance of People’s Movement in 2005, started this struggle for Irom. But it was only in 2011 that the idea of a nation-wide campaign called the Save Sharmila Campaign (SSC) came about. I joined the mobalisation team of SSC, which is protesting against the neglect and suppression of Irom as well as the situation in Manipur. It’s an initiative of several civil society organisations and members. Our aim is to spread awareness, mobilise people, especially youth and convince the government to at least talk to Irom,” says Devika, who’s currently pursuing post graduation from South Asian University.
“Armed Forces Special Powers Act according to me is an arbitrary military rule in the Northeast. It was enforced in 1980 in Manipur to check ‘unrest’. But the consequences of it have shifted the source of unrest. AFSPA has led to civilian torture, murder and rape. Since its enforcement, thousands of civilians have been killed,” Devika tells her fellow students.
The organisation held a candlelight vigil for Irom in June in New Delhi. The campaign now has a series of events like awareness drives to colleges and universities, a pan-India signature campaign from October, a yatra from Kashmir to Manipur and other demonstrations to pressurise the government.
“We also plan to contact colleges, universities and youth-oriented organisations across the country. We want to spread awareness, which is the first step towards change. The next step is the mobilisation of the democrats, and the youth. And then of course, the realisation of our aim, which is to persuade the government to negotiate talks with Irom,” she concludes.