The history of sacrifice is so ancient that no one can encompass it as a whole. It is also a fact that sacrifice plays a crucial role in preserving the human society. If the society lacks in sacrifice and dedication, no one can withhold it from destruction. This reminds us of a unique sacrifice which has gone almost unnoticed and uncared for. And that is none other than that of Irom Sharmila who has been sacrificing continuously for the last 14 years. In all these years she kept on fighting for human rights of the people but neither the state government nor the central government cared to pay heed to her demand. Irom Sharmila has been protesting against an unconstitutional act, AFSPA (Armed Force Special Powers Act) since 2 November 2000.
“The Act has received criticism from several sections for alleged concerns about human rights violations in the regions of its enforcement, where arbitrary killings, torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and enforced disappearances have alleged to have happened,”Wikipedia noted about the Act.
The act was a British-colonial policy to suppress Indian Freedom Movement. The Independent Indian Government continued enforcing the Act to suppress separatist movement. UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanetham Pillay asked the Indian government to repeal the AFSPA. She termed the law as “dated and colonial-era law that breach contemporary international human rights standards.”
The Indian government faced sharp criticism and opposition from inside India by several human rights groups. The act violates fundamental rights of civilians and forces them to live a life of fear. According to the Act, the forces have been granted unlimited powers to take severe action against any dubious civilian without any justice process and investigation.
According to Santosh Hegde Commission, most of the civilians who are killed, tortured in “disturbed areas” have no charges and accusation. The Act is not only against humanity but also seizes the civilian’s right to live. In an age, when we never forget to talk of human rights, continuation of such an act is a blot on human civilization.
So, the strike of Irom Sharmila drew wide attention of justice-lovers from across the nation and the world. She has received huge support of human rights and social activists. But, the corporate media did not give due coverage to her peaceful protest. It made much hue and cry when Anna Hazare staged hunger strike for some days against corruption. It made him a hero of the nation within a short span of time. But in case of Irom Sharmila, it is unfortunate that the media tried its best to ignore it. At this anniversary of her peaceful hunger strike against an inhuman law, we salute her desperate sacrifice.