By TwoCirlces.net Staff Correspondent,
Kochi: Irom Sharmila has been fighting against injustice in the north-eastern state of Manipur for the last 10 years. The authorities always tried to ignore the strong will power of the iron lady or to pay heed to her demands. Now, two Muslim organisations in Kerala have come up in support of her fight for justice and against cruelties. The Students Islamic Organisation and the National Women’s Front are in the forefront to support the cause of Sharmila.
“Any act of torture ultimately affects women. That is why the National Women’s Front has decided to fight against the cruel injustice done to Irom Sharmila”, said AS Sainaba, national president of the NWF, to TCN. The organisation is holding dharna and collecting signs pleading to protect Sharmila’s life in three states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) tomorrow – world human rights day. The cities selected are Bengaluru, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Calicut and Thiruvananthapuram. Signs will be collected asking for the protection of Sharmila’s life and will be sent to the Union Home Ministry and the state government of Manipur. The dharna will be held from 11 am to 1 pm in Thiruvananthapuram and from 3pm to 5 pm in Calicut.
“Generally, the government gives special powers to the army in specific circumstances. But in Manipur, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been in force since 1958. Studies reveal that the encounters and other problems in the state are caused by the cruelties of the AFSPA. It is not yet time to forget the plight of Manorama Devi. Sharmila herself began her fasting in 1999 when 10 men were indiscriminately shot dead in Malom by the AFSPA,” said Ms Sainaba.
The National Women’s Front is the women’s wing of the Popular Front of India. The organisation functions in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Students Islamic Organisation, the students’ wing of Jamat e Islami, also organised a campaign expressing solidarity with Irom Sharmila and her cause. The campaign lasted from November 6 to 15. “The SIO has always supported Irom Sharmila and her cause through its columns”, said Irshad, state general secretary of the organisation. “The Manipur Freedom Movement is organising several programmes on the 10th anniversary of Irom Sharmila’s fast. The SIO decided to express its solidarity on this occasion.” The organisation went through its campaign by way of printed posters, SMS and e-mail campaigns, cultural gatherings and film shows. Film shows that support the struggle of the Manipuri people were organised in campuses. Selected films were shown and cultural gatherings held in Calicut and Ernakulam also.