Manipur Assembly election results: Why Irom Sharmila is still smiling despite losing to Ibobi Singh
When Irom Sharmila announced her decision to make a political debut against three-time Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh from Thoubal, almost everybody knew the outcome.
But that didn’t bother Sharmila. For, the civil rights activist doesn't know anything else but to keep fighting, win or lose, live or die — you don't give up hope.
“I want to be the chief minister of Manipur and bring real democracy and real relationship between the people and the ruler,” she said in her campaign rallies. She was single-minded — just the way she fought for repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act with her 16-year-long fast.
However, her party – People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) – fielded candidates in only three out of the total 60 seats. So, there was no question of becoming CM — PRJA was basically warming up for the next polls, especially 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
“She has struggled with campaigning in Thoubal for various reasons. But this is just our first foray into electoral politics. Five years later, I am quite confident we are going to be a much larger party,” Erendro Leichombam, convenor and candidate of the party was quoted as saying by news agencies.
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| Life goes on for Irom Chanu Sharmila (Credit: Twitter image) |
Until August 9, 2016, Irom Sharmila Chanu, also known as the Iron Lady of Manipur for her hunger strike since November 2000 against the AFSPA, has been a symbol of self-sacrifice for Manipur. However, the moment on July 26, 2016, she said she wanted to break her fast, Sharmila came under severe scrutiny from her own people. At that time, she had also expressed her desire to get married (to her long-time friend Goa-born British Desmond Coutinho) and announced that she would join electoral politics to continue the fight against AFSPA.
While many urged her to continue the fast, some radical groups even threatened her. Ironically, those very people for whom she stood up were ready to sacrifice her on the altar of tolerance.
Sharmila started her hunger strike after Assam Rifles personnel allegedly shot dead 10 civilians. Ever since then she has mostly been in custody (getting released and re-arrested every year on the charge of attempt to suicide) in a hospital being force-fed through a tube inserted into her nose.
All those years Sharmila's face with a tube hanging down her nose became Manipur's symbol of resistance against the brazen Army brutality even as the Indian state continues to ignore the human rights violations.
"I am not happy to know that she has decided to end her fast. What upsets me more is that she did not consult me or her mother before taking this important decision. My mother always told her to fight till the end -- till the demand to repeal AFSPA is met," her brother had told mediapersons last year.
Many even blamed “outsider” Coutinho for "influencing" her decision to end the fast. Some even expressed apprehensions that Coutinho is a state agent trying to divert her democratic struggle.
In fact, when the news of Sharmila's "relationship" with Coutinho first appeared in national media in 2011, civil society bodies in Manipur termed it "an insult to all Manipuri people".
The Telegraph newspaper, in its September 5, 2011 edition, had quoted Sharmila as having said that "she was in love with Coutinho but her supporters were against the relationship".
Copies of the daily were burnt and the newspaper was banned in Manipur by civil society organisations under the aegis of Apunba Lup. They alleged that "there was a conspiracy by the national daily to sabotage the movement of Sharmila who is demanding the repeal of AFSPA".
Sharmila and her cause had always been in the news. Perhaps had it not been for her sacrifice, Manipur and the plight of its people would have never drawn national and international attention from various civil society groups.
The day she broke her fast, her own people turned her away. Residents of a colony where she had gone to stay first said they didn’t want to call media attention and unnecessary trouble. From there, she was taken to a temple which too reportedly refused to take responsibility for her. It broke her heart to see how all those people who idolised her for years, chose to turn their backs on her, but her resolve was still intact.
Even today when she stands almost alone, except for a few friends, there is no change in her determination.
Her thinly attended election meetings at people's courtyards or at street corners didn’t daunt her.
On the other hand, Ibobi Singh’s Congress rallies, were a huge hit every time. But it was nice of the chief minister to still encourage her, even if a diplomatic gesture. "Everybody has the right to contest an election. She is my sister, she is most welcome. Let the people decide," he told mediapersons every time they would question him about her.
Of course, till that time no one knew the actual fate of the elections.
Everybody may have had guessed that Ibobi Singh will once again (four consecutive) win the Thoubal seat, but it’s Sharmila and her lonely electoral battle which voters will remember for a long, long time.