Introduction
Few names in modern Indian history echo with the kind of moral strength, persistence, and peaceful defiance as Irom Chanu Sharmila. Famously dubbed the Iron Lady of Manipur, Sharmila became an icon of civil resistance and human rights advocacy through her extraordinary 16-year-long hunger strike against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA)—a law widely criticized for enabling human rights violations in conflict zones like Manipur.
This in-depth blog unravels the life of Irom Sharmila—from her early years and the horrifying incident that triggered her hunger strike, to her political foray, personal journey, and lasting legacy in India’s civil rights movement.
Early Life and Influences
Irom Sharmila was born on March 14, 1972, in Kongpal village, located in the Imphal East district of Manipur, a northeastern state of India. Raised in a humble Meitei family, Sharmila was one of nine siblings. Her father, Irom Nanda Singh, worked in the government veterinary department, while her mother, Sakhi Devi, was a homemaker.
From a young age, Sharmila displayed traits of empathy and curiosity. She was observant of the socio-political turbulence in her homeland, which was often caught between insurgency and military operations. Though not academically inclined in the traditional sense, she took a deep interest in social issues, literature, and spirituality. She was particularly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa), which later shaped her method of protest.
Before launching her hunger strike, Sharmila worked as a volunteer with various local NGOs and contributed to environmental and social causes. She was also known for writing poetry, which she used as a means to express her inner turmoil and hopes for a better world.
Understanding AFSPA and Its Impact on Manipur
To understand Sharmila’s activism, one must first grasp the implications of AFSPA.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, was originally enacted to empower the armed forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas.” In essence, AFSPA gives sweeping powers to military personnel:
- They can arrest without warrant,
- Use lethal force based on “reasonable suspicion,”
- And are protected from legal prosecution without prior sanction from the central government.
AFSPA was enforced in Manipur in 1980, and the state was declared a “disturbed area” due to ongoing insurgency. Over the years, human rights organizations documented numerous cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and disappearances allegedly perpetrated by armed forces under the immunity granted by AFSPA.
For many Manipuris, especially the younger generation, living under AFSPA meant growing up with fear, distrust, and trauma. Irom Sharmila was among those who internalized this collective suffering.
The Malom Massacre: Catalyst for Resistance
The pivotal moment in Sharmila’s life—and one that changed her course forever—occurred on November 2, 2000, near Malom, a town close to Imphal. On that day, personnel from the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, opened fire at a bus stop, killing ten innocent civilians, including a 62-year-old woman and a 17-year-old child.
The Malom Massacre, as it came to be known, deeply shocked the people of Manipur. But for Irom Sharmila, it marked the final straw. Incensed by the brutality and the silence of the government, she decided to take a stand in the most Gandhian way possible—a fast unto death.
Beginning of the Hunger Strike
On November 5, 2000, just three days after the massacre, Irom Sharmila began her indefinite hunger strike, demanding the repeal of AFSPA from Manipur. She refused food, water, and even basic hygiene practices like brushing her teeth or combing her hair—symbolizing complete and utter renunciation.
Soon after, she was arrested under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit suicide) and kept under judicial custody at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal. There, she was force-fed through a nasal tube.
Thus began the world’s longest hunger strike, lasting 16 years, through endless cycles of arrests, releases, and re-arrests.
Life in Custody and Global Attention
Despite being confined to a hospital room turned jail cell, Irom Sharmila’s protest gained traction beyond Manipur. Her peaceful yet powerful protest began attracting attention from:
- National and international media
- Human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Asian Human Rights Commission
- Civil society and women’s rights groups
- Prominent authors and artists, who began documenting her life
Several accolades and nominations followed:
- Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (2007)
- Mayillama Award (2009)
- Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize (2010)
- Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize multiple times
Her plight was even discussed in the United Nations Human Rights Council, making her an international symbol of peaceful resistance.
AFSPA: National Debate and Protests
Sharmila’s protest inspired a wider movement against AFSPA. In 2004, twelve Manipuri women staged a nude protest in front of the Kangla Fort, the Assam Rifles’ headquarters, holding placards that read, “Indian Army Rape Us.” This was in response to the custodial rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama, allegedly by security forces.
The shocking protest made global headlines and intensified scrutiny of the Act. The Indian government eventually withdrew AFSPA from certain areas in Manipur, including Imphal Municipality, but it continued to be enforced in the hill districts and other parts of the state.
Decision to End the Strike: A Shift in Strategy
On August 9, 2016, after 5,837 days of fasting, Irom Sharmila ended her hunger strike. Her announcement shocked many. She said she had realized that the government was unmoved by her sacrifice and that non-violent protest alone could not bring about policy change.
Instead, she announced her decision to enter politics, stating, “I want to become the Chief Minister of Manipur to repeal AFSPA myself.”
Her new path was met with skepticism by some and support by others. While many applauded her courage, others accused her of “giving up.”
Political Career and PRJA
In October 2016, Sharmila launched her political party, the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA). The party’s agenda focused on:
- Repealing AFSPA
- Promoting clean politics
- Empowering women and youth
- Fighting corruption
In the 2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, Sharmila contested from Thoubal, the home constituency of then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Despite high expectations, she received only 90 votes, while Singh won with over 18,000 votes.
The result was emotionally devastating for Sharmila. She later announced her decision to quit politics and withdraw from public life.
Personal Life and Motherhood
Following her political defeat, Irom Sharmila retreated from the public eye. In 2017, she married Desmond Coutinho, a British-born writer and fellow activist, in a quiet ceremony in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.
She later settled in Kerala, where she gave birth to twin daughters in 2019. Her life now is more domestic, focused on raising her children and healing from years of physical and emotional hardship.
In interviews, she has often expressed her continuing desire for peace and justice in Manipur, though she no longer participates in active protests.
Literary Contributions and Media
Sharmila’s life has inspired various literary and cinematic works:
- “Fragrance of Peace” – a collection of her poems
- “Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur” – a biography by Deepti Priya Mehrotra
- Documentaries like “Iron Lady” and “My Body My Weapon”
- Several plays and art exhibitions portraying her resilience
Legacy and Lasting Impact
While AFSPA has not been fully repealed from Manipur, Irom Sharmila’s protest permanently altered India’s human rights discourse. She brought Northeast India—often neglected in national conversations—to the forefront of political debates.
Her legacy lies not in political victories but in moral authority. She stands alongside global figures like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi as champions of non-violent resistance. She showed the world that one individual’s conscience can shake the foundation of a powerful state.
Conclusion
Irom Sharmila’s journey is a story of unparalleled endurance, immense courage, and unwavering commitment to justice. While her 16-year hunger strike did not lead to the immediate repeal of AFSPA, it awakened a generation to the injustices faced by people in India’s conflict zones.
Today, the Iron Lady of Manipur lives away from the spotlight, but her story continues to inspire movements for peace, justice, and dignity across the world. Her life is a reminder that even in silence and solitude, the human spirit can roar louder than any gun.
