By TCN News,
New Delhi: On the day of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign launched its nationwide ‘Signature Campaign’ simultaneously in 21 states of the country including the National Capital to pressurize the government to find out the solution of the demand for which Irom Sharmila is on fast for last 10 years.
Faisal Khan, the key organizer of the campaign who went to Manipur in 2006 and observed the fast in solidarity with Irom, told that civil societies, media and government – no one has done much for Irom and she is still ignored.
“The signature campaign will continue till 8 December and all the signatures will be handed over to President of India on 10th Dec. (International Human Rights Day) through a solidarity march from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan. A daylong fast will be observed on the same day before start of solidarity march by leading women activists of India”, Khan added.
Putting the demands before the government, Khan said “We are a solidarity group of various organizations and movements who demand from government to start positive steps of talk with Irom Sharmila, to send all parties’ delegation to Manipur and to send members of National Commission for Women and National Human Rights Commission to Manipur.
Highlighting the figure of support the campaign is getting from the people of different classes, Devika, a member of core committee of campaign, said: “More than 5000 people have already supported the cause on our facebook group. A large number of people have extended their support on twitter too. We have also got support of students from various institutes in India. We have student coordinators in almost all Delhi University colleges, Jamia Millia Central University, JNU, Jamia Hamdard, Manav Rachna & Amity. We are organizing various other programs such as talk and documentary screening in these institutes to spread awareness among students.”
The organizations and groups that are supporting the campaign include NAPM, Asha Parivar, Mission Bhartiyam, Mahila Chetna Kendra, Yuva Koshish, Khudai Khidmatgar, Manushi, Sadbhavna Mission, We the Common People, SAMAR, La Mashale, SIO and Asian Centre of Social Studies.