Irom Sharmila Family Tree
Irom Sharmila - A Lifestory
Irom Sharmila is a civil rights activist, political figure, and poet from Manipur, India, renowned for her nonviolent protest against alleged human rights abuses by the Indian army in her home state. Born in 1972, her activism was sparked by the 2000 Malom Massacre, where Indian security forces allegedly killed ten civilians. Deeply affected by this event, she embarked on a hunger strike, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which grants broad powers to security forces in disturbed areas.
Her hunger strike, one of the longest in history, began on November 2, 2000, and lasted for over 16 years. During this period, she was repeatedly arrested and released by the Indian government, primarily on charges of attempted suicide, which is illegal in India. She was forcefed through a nasal tube to keep her alive, becoming a symbol of resistance and nonviolent protest. Her unwavering commitment to her cause earned her the moniker "Iron Lady of Manipur."
Beyond her hunger strike, Sharmila is also a poet and writer, using her words to express her anguish and advocate for peace and justice. Her struggle gained international attention, with human rights organizations like Amnesty International recognizing her as a prisoner of conscience. In 2016, she ended her hunger strike, stating that she wanted to explore alternative means of achieving her goals, including entering politics. She contested the Manipur Legislative Assembly election in 2017 but did not win. Despite the setbacks, Irom Sharmila remains an influential figure in Indian politics and a powerful symbol of peaceful resistance against injustice.
Family and Early Years
Personal Details
- š Date of Birth
- 14 March 1972
- š Place of Birth
- Manipur India.
Early Career
- Irom Sharmila's journey began with a deep concern for human rights and a powerful response to injustice setting the stage for her recognition as a symbol of peaceful resistance.
- š„ Early Activism and Witnessing Injustice
- Irom Sharmila's path wasn't a conventional professional one but rather a direct response to the violence she witnessed. She began working as a human rights activist, fueled by witnessing firsthand the impact of armed conflict and alleged human rights violations in Manipur. Her early experiences witnessing violence and injustice solidified her commitment to non-violent resistance.
- š¢ Beginning of the Hunger Strike
- On 02 November 2000 Irom Sharmila embarked on her hunger strike. This was her first major act of defiance against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA). The catalyst was the Malom Massacre, where Indian security forces allegedly killed civilians. Her hunger strike became a powerful symbol of resistance.
- āļø Facing Legal and Societal Obstacles
- Irom Sharmila faced numerous challenges. The government repeatedly arrested her on charges of attempting suicide force-feeding her through a nasal tube to keep her alive. She also faced societal pressure and skepticism, with some questioning the effectiveness of her methods. Maintaining her resolve and commitment to non-violence amidst these difficulties was a constant struggle.
A Journey of Recognition
Career Journey
- Irom Sharmila is an Indian civil rights activist politician, and poet, primarily known for her non-violent protest against alleged human rights violations by the Indian army in Manipur.
- šļø Beginning of the Protest: Initiated a hunger strike in 2000 against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in response to the Malom Massacre.
- š Iconic Hunger Strike: For 16 years she remained on hunger strike, becoming a symbol of resistance and non-violent protest against AFSPA.
- š³ļø Political Aspirations: After ending her hunger strike in 2016 she entered politics, forming the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) to contest the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections.
- š Electoral Defeat: Contested the 2017 elections but faced defeat leading her to re-evaluate her political strategy.
- āļø Continued Activism and Writing: She has since continued to advocate for human rights through writing and other forms of activism.
Achievements and Milestones
- Here's a list of awards received by Irom Sharmila:
- š Awards and Recognitions
- ā Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (2007)
- ā Mayillama Award of Peace (2006)
- ā Sarva Gunah Sampannah 'Award for Peace and Harmony' (2010)
- ā Asian Human Rights Commission's Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)
- ā Rabinranath Tagore Peace Prize (2010)
- ā NDTV Indian of the Year (2014)
- ā Rohini Nayyar Prize (2016).
Additional Highlights
Contributions
- Irom Sharmila a beacon of unwavering resilience, is renowned for her extraordinary hunger strike, a testament to her commitment to human rights and justice.
- šļø Protest Against AFSPA
- ā Irom Sharmila's primary contribution was her hunger strike which lasted for 16 years (2000-2016).
- ā This strike was a non-violent protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur and other parts of India.
- ā She believed that AFSPA granted excessive powers to security forces and led to human rights violations.
- ā She was force-fed through a nasal tube by the state authorities to keep her alive during the protest.
- š¢ Advocacy for Human Rights
- ā Irom Sharmila became a symbol of the struggle against human rights abuses in conflict zones.
- ā Her long-term hunger strike brought international attention to the issue of AFSPA and its impact on civilians.
- ā She consistently advocated for the repeal of AFSPA demanding accountability for alleged extrajudicial killings and abuses by security forces.
- š³ļø Political Activism
- ā After ending her hunger strike in 2016 Irom Sharmila entered politics to continue her fight against AFSPA through a different avenue.
- ā She formed a political party called the Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA).
- ā She contested the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election against the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh but did not win.
- ā Her participation in electoral politics aimed to bring the issue of AFSPA and human rights to the forefront of political discourse.
Recent Work
- Irom Sharmila is an activist and politician who has shifted her focus from activism to political engagement. She contested elections to bring about change through the system.
- ā Recent Career Update: After years of activism Irom Sharmila entered politics to address systemic issues through legislative means.
- ā Recent Projects or Roles:
- ā She contested in the Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
- ā Domain: Politics and social activism.
- ā Relevance/Impact: Her participation aimed to bring attention to human rights issues and advocate for policy changes though she did not win the election.
- ā Collaborations and Alliances:
- ā During her political career she formed her own political party, the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), to contest elections, collaborating with various social activists and supporters.
Disclaimer
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