Irom Sharmila: Iron Lady Ends Fast but Not the Struggle
Channel: NewsClickin
Date: 2016-10-05

Irom Chanu Sharmila, a civil rights activist known for her fight against the human rights violation in Manipur and AFSPA ended her 16 year long fast on the 9th of August. She ended the fast because of the general public apathy towards her struggle and the unresponsiveness of successive governments. Feeling stronger and more alive than ever, the Iron Lady has decided to form a new political party which would be independent and comprised of pro-people policies. Irom plans on changing her strategy of the struggle to be able to have the power to repeal AFSPA as well as change the face of politics. The new party would not be confined to Manipur but will be cutting across some of the states of North-East which are facing similar discrimination and racial attacks. Many groups harshly criticized Irom for breaking her fast. But Irom had a different take, she did not just want to be seen as a symbol of resistance but as a human.

This is an interview done by Senior Journalist Seema Mustafa of TheCitizen of Irom Sharmila at the Delhi University Teachers' Association office.
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