10 long years of denying justice

If you are reading this page, please leave everything for next couple of minutes because I want to take you to a journey where justice is so much delayed that it is as good as being denied. Can you look back in past and share the changes that have come in your life in past one decade? There are many na? It could be your journey from being an average student to becoming a successful professional today. It could be meeting with your girl friend, who may be your wife today, first time, falling in love and then a long struggle to get united as a couple. Each one of us must be having so many stories to share. 10 years indeed a long time and a lot would change in 10 years, wouldn't it be? Well, for Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Menghoubi" ("the fair one"), nothing has changed in past 10 years. She is still waiting for truth and justice to prevail, which looks like a distant dream though.

Sharmila has been on hunger strike since 2 November 2000 for a demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of India's northeast. Having denied food and water for more than 500 weeks, she is still continuing the the world's longest hunger striker. The government made the travesty of her struggle and three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide". Do we still need anything to have a bigger laugh than this? Why wasn't Anna charged for committing suicide or why isn't Modi being charged for committing suicide. Oh, I missed the point, we have laws that can be tweaked as per the will of powerful and against the weak.  

3 days Sadbhavna fast of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi is everywhere in media but the long struggle of a gritty soul seems to have lost in time itself. Hats off to unwavering faith of Irom sharmila that keeps her hope alive even after 10 long years. She still feels that justice can be delayed but can't be denied.

I have no idea how many of us are interested in Sharmila's story but if you think, she is fighting for a cause which is just then be a part of her struggle and stand by her as we stood for Anna. I hope, the voice of her determined soul reaches to so called law makers and justice prevails. Amen!!   

If you want to know more about the cause, she is fighting for, watch this video.