Joining politics was a great experience and not a mistake, says Irom Sharmila - Hindustan Times
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Joining politics was a great experience and not a mistake, says Irom Sharmila

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByParth Welankar, Pune
May 12, 2018 03:34 PM IST

The ‘Iron Lady’ was in the city to attend a programme organised by the Pune-based NGO Sarhad, which is dedicated to helping people living in the border areas, focussing on social, cultural and educational sectors.

“The prolonged tension between India and Pakistan is saddening. Being neighbouring countries, we should share a good relationship. I want to be a mediator and establish peace between the two countries,” said activist Irom Sharmila, popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady’.

Irom Sharmila, who attended a session organised by Sarhad along with her husband Desmond Coutinho, will be visiting Kashmir to propagate women empowerment in the state.(Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)
Irom Sharmila, who attended a session organised by Sarhad along with her husband Desmond Coutinho, will be visiting Kashmir to propagate women empowerment in the state.(Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)

Irom Sharmila, civil rights and political activist, and poet from Manipur, was in the city for a programme organised by the Pune-based non-governmental organisation(NGO) Sarhad which is dedicated to the people living in the border areas, focussing on social, cultural and educational sectors.

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Hitting out at the Indian army in the state of Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, Sharmila said, “The Indian military has always misused the Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA). It is not only a draconian law but also one which grossly violates human rights. AFSPA act is a failure of Indian democratic system. I am not against the army but I am against this system which has given the right to the security forces to misuse the AFSPA act.” 

Talking about her experience in politics, she said, “Many people have said I made a mistake by joining politics. However, to me it was not a mistake but a great experience. It was a golden opportunity for me to establish a direct connect with the people of my state and my country.” 

Sanjay Nahar, founder of Sarhad expressed his gratitude to Irom Sharmila for having made herself available for the programme.  

He said, “It is indeed our privilege to have the ‘Iron Lady’ among us. Her work and dedication is an inspiration to millions of people”.

Irom Sharmila is known as ‘the world’s longest hunger striker’ as she went without food and water for 16 years. She started her fast when she was 28 years following a massacre in Imphal in which 10 persons were killed. Her primary demand was that the government should repeal the AFSPA act. She will be visiting the state of Kashmir to propagate women empowerment in the state. 

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