Irom Sharmila to break 16-year fast. Twitter reactions

The "Iron Lady" of Manipur, Irom Chanu Sharmila, iconic activist and on a self-styled fast for the greater part of last two decades, will finally end the 16-year-long gastromic austerity in protest against the brutalities perpetrated by armed forces in the Northeastern state.

Sharmila, instead, has decided to participate in parliamnetary democracy and contest elections from her home state.

Rejoice, since she has also expressed an intention to marry!

As per a newschannel, te 44-year-old told a district court, where she needs to register attendance every two weeks, in Manipur on July 25 that she is looking forward to ending her legendary fast on August 9 this year.

Interestingly, Sharmila will not be joining any political party at present, and will be contesting as an independent.

Also read - Why there is more to Manipur than Mary Kom

Manipur's most famous activist has been the subject of innumerable oped pieces and interviews, with her unique and pacifist protest against alleged army atrocities. Though force-fed through a nasal tube for 14 years and restrained to a room at a government-run hospital, Sharmila's non-violent protest has been a strong and stark contrast against the forcible takedowns and encounters practised by both the police as well as extremists in Mnaipur.

Till 2014, the force-feeding was in lieu of the State saying that Sharmila was suidical (a criminal charge until last year when attempt to suicide was decriminalised) which was overruled by the court.

Interestingly, Sharmila was approached by Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls under their hat. But the activist had politely declined the offer, unlike the tribal activist Soni Sori, who had fought on an AAP ticket.

With media speculation rife about the method and tactic that Sharmila would now adopt to carry on her struggle and resistance agaisnt the draconian AFSPA, or Armed Forces Special Powers Act of Manipur and Assam 1958, all eyes are now on the activist's new stint as a politician in the violence-ridden state.

Also read - SC judgment on AFSPA is significant

In taking to politics, she resembles the path chosen by another legendary resistance leader - Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma.

However, there is little sign that the AFSPA would be withdrawn, even partially, from the states currently reeling under it, including the highly volatile Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen a major spike in violence since the encounter killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani.

Though J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged the Centre to consider phased withdrawal of the AFSPA on an experimental basis, it is unlikely that her plea would be heard any time soon.In this context, Irom Sharmila's decision and future moves will be watched with keen interest across global media.

The face of people's struggle against the AFSPA as well as the soft yet stern protest that Sharmila had waged will nevertheless remain stuff that history is made of.

But a new chapter has surely begun, not only in Irom Chanu Sharmila's life but also the political climate of India's troubled and but neglected Northeast.

I'm with you Irom Sharmila. Best of luck for your new journey. https://t.co/CSzhyqJk33

— Shivaji Bajpai (@ShivajiThinks) July 26, 2016

Irom Sharmila wasted 16 Yrs to realise her demand was impractical; emotions can't decide security measures. Best wishes for her future life.

— ??????? (@myitrey) July 26, 2016

16 precious yrs lost for Irom Sharmila fighting AFSPA . Hope she manages to revert to the life she has once forfeited.

— Afsana Ahmed (@afsanaahmed) July 26, 2016

It's a tight slap on Govt rigidness. Irom Sharmila proved tht activists are flexible n solution oriented. Govt rigid n conflict oriented.

— Ravi Nitesh (@ravinitesh) July 26, 2016

A great decision by Irom Sharmila to break her fast. She need to come in mainstream struggle to counter against #AFSPA effectively.

— Ravi Nitesh (@ravinitesh) July 26, 2016

Have higher amount of respect for even Kejriwal and Ashutosh than Irom Sharmila for their approach towards the system. She changes that now.

— Be'Havin! (@WrongDoc) July 26, 2016

No point of ending 14 years fasting. Neither was AFSPA repealed or armed force stopped brutalities. Rather Irom Sharmila wasted her prime.

— Manoj Kumar Sahu (@ManojSahuG) July 26, 2016

Lesson in the Irom Sharmila story for all those who love protesting, jantar mantar & candle light vigils? Get off your asses and move court!

— ? Comrade Nambiar ? (@DasBolshevik) July 26, 2016

68 yrs after independence, when a govt finally starts looking after NE, Irom Sharmila finds her appetite for both food and politics!!

— Thought Gun (@ShootinThoughts) July 26, 2016

What is it with activists and their aversion to use a comb? Irom Sharmila, Medha Patkar, Kavita Krishnan, Arundhati Roy!

— Nirwa Mehta (@nirwamehta) July 26, 2016

Irom Sharmila touted as Iron Lady for Taking Food from Nose. Calling it Fasting is ludicrous joke. Anything for weakening Armed Forces.

— Sanjay (@snjyd) July 26, 2016

Irom Sharmila to end 16-year-fast; to contest elections in Manipur .. All activists are becoming politicians damn

— office of Sanghi (@ExSecular) July 26, 2016