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| {{short description|Indian civil rights activist}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Irom Sharmila Chanu]] |
| {{Use Indian English|date=April 2014}}
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| {{Infobox person | | {{R from move}} |
| | name = Irom Chanu Sharmila (Iron Lady)
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| | image = Irom sharmila at calicut.jpg | |
| | caption = Irom Sharmila at a reception given by [[Solidarity Youth Movement]] to her in [[Kozhikode]]
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| | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|3|14|df=y}}
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| | birth_place = Kongpal, [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], India
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| | spouse = Desmond Anthony Bellarnine Coutinho
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| | children = Nix Shakhi and Autumn Tara
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| | occupation = [[Civil rights]] [[activism|activist]], political [[activism|activist]], [[poet]]
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| | party = [[All India Trinamool Congress]]
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| | parents = Irom c Nanda (father)<br />Irom Ongbi Sakhi (mother)
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| | nationality = Indian
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| | known_for = Hunger strike against [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act]]
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| }} | | }} |
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| '''Irom Chanu Sharmila''' (born 14 March 1972),<ref>{{Cite book|title = Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur|last = Mehrotra|first = Deepti Priya|publisher = Penguin Books India|year = 2012|isbn = 9788184751536|chapter = The Making of an Activist}}</ref> also known as the "'''Iron Lady of Manipur'''"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dbvideos.divyabhaskar.co.in/trending/27581 | title=Iron Lady of Manipur | publisher=[[Divya Bhaskar]] | date=10 August 2016 | access-date=10 August 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814183049/http://dbvideos.divyabhaskar.co.in/trending/27581 | archive-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> or "'''Mengoubi'''" ("the fair one")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinlung.com/2011/04/spot-difference-hazare-vs-irom-sharmila.html |title=Spot the Difference: Hazare vs. Irom Sharmila |first=Rituparna |last=Chatterjee |date=20 April 2011 |publisher=Sinlung |access-date=30 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809045748/http://www.sinlung.com/2011/04/spot-difference-hazare-vs-irom-sharmila.html |archive-date=9 August 2011 }}</ref> is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of [[Manipur]], which is located on the north-eastern side of India. On 5 November 2000,<ref name="Bagchi"/> she began a [[hunger strike]] in favour of abolishing the [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act|Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958]] that applies to the seven states and grants security forces the power to search properties without a warrant, and to arrest people, and to use deadly force if there is "reasonable suspicion" that a person is acting against the state. She ended the fast on 9 August 2016, after 16 long years of fasting. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks (she was nasally force fed in jail), she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker".<ref name="Independent"/> On International Women's Day, 2014 she was voted the top woman icon of India by MSN Poll.<ref name="in.msn">{{cite web|url=http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/irom-sharmila-is-top-woman-icon-msn-poll|title=Irom Sharmila is top woman icon: MSN poll|date=11 March 2014|publisher=MSN|access-date=17 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316230656/http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/irom-sharmila-is-top-woman-icon-msn-poll|archive-date=16 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="sevensistersproject">{{cite web |url=http://sevensistersproject.org/2014/03/20/irom-sharmila-voted-msn-polls-top-woman-icon-india/|title=Irom Sharmila voted MSN poll's Top Woman Icon in India.|date=20 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321045821/http://sevensistersproject.org/2014/03/20/irom-sharmila-voted-msn-polls-top-woman-icon-india/|archive-date=21 March 2014|publisher=Seven Sisters Project|access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>
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| In 2014 two parties asked her to stand in the national election, but she declined. She was then denied the right to vote as a person confined in jail cannot vote according to law.<ref name="zeenews17">{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/general-elections-2014/irom-sharmila-not-allowed-to-vote-in-manipur_925192.html |title=Irom Sharmila not allowed to vote in Manipur |date=17 April 2014 |publisher=Zee News |access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419013220/http://zeenews.india.com/news/general-elections-2014/irom-sharmila-not-allowed-to-vote-in-manipur_925192.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 }}</ref><ref name="toi14">{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Irom-Sharmila-Chanus-moral-support-to-AAP/articleshow/31966344.cms |title=Irom Sharmila Chanu's moral support to AAP |date=14 March 2014 |work=The Times of India|access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406182023/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Irom-Sharmila-Chanus-moral-support-to-AAP/articleshow/31966344.cms |archive-date=6 April 2014 }}</ref><ref name="bs17">{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/elections-2014/irom-sharmila-not-allowed-to-vote-in-manipur-114041700569_1.html |title=Irom Sharmila not allowed to vote in Manipur EC official says Under Section 62 (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person confined in jail cannot vote |work=Business Standard|access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012001/http://www.business-standard.com/article/elections-2014/irom-sharmila-not-allowed-to-vote-in-manipur-114041700569_1.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 }}</ref> On 19 August 2014 a court ordered her release from [[Arrest|custody]], subject to there being no other grounds for [[Detention (imprisonment)|detention]]. She was re-arrested on 22 August 2014 on similar charges to those for which she was acquitted, and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.<ref name="ToIAug2014">{{cite news|title=Irom Chanu Sharmila charged with attempted suicide, sent to judicial custody again|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Chanu-Sharmila-charged-with-attempted-suicide-sent-to-judicial-custody-again/articleshow/40709338.cms|access-date=22 August 2014|work=The Times of India|date=22 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823082444/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Chanu-Sharmila-charged-with-attempted-suicide-sent-to-judicial-custody-again/articleshow/40709338.cms|archive-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] has declared her as a [[prisoner of conscience]].
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| ==Background==
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| Sharmila grew up and lives in [[Manipur]], one of the [[Seven Sister States]] in India's northeast, which has suffered from an [[insurgency]] for decades; from 2005 to 2015 about 5,500 people died from [[political violence]].<ref name=WSJ2015-01-07>Krishna Pokharel for the Wall Street Journal. 7 January 2015. [http://www.himalayanmirror.net/upload/14208032434.pdf Indian Activist Presses 14-Year Hunger Strike to Protest Abuses; Court Postpones Decision Whether Irom Sharmila Chanu Should Be Charged Again] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424102655/http://www.himalayanmirror.net/upload/14208032434.pdf |date=24 April 2016 }}</ref> In 1958, the Indian government passed a law, the [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act|Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958]] that applies to just the seven states and grants security forces the power to search properties without a warrant, and to arrest people, and to use deadly force if there is "reasonable suspicion" that a person is acting against the state; a similar Act applies to [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name=WSJ2015-01-07/>
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| She was already involved in local peace movements with regard to [[human rights abuses in Manipur]] when, on 2 November 2000, in Malom, a town in the [[Imphal|Imphal Valley]] of [[Manipur]], ten civilians were shot and killed while waiting at a bus stop.<ref name="Tehelka"/> The incident, known as the "Malom Massacre",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twocircles.net/2010nov03/afspa_and_unsolved_massacres_manipur.html |title=AFSPA and Unsolved massacres in Manipur |author=Anjuman Ara Begum |date=3 November 2010 |publisher=Twocircles |archive-date=11 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111064705/http://twocircles.net/2010nov03/afspa_and_unsolved_massacres_manipur.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/malom-massacre-horror-relived-13-years-later/ |title=Malom Massacre horror relived 13 years later |author=Imphal Free Press |date=2 November 2013 |newspaper=Imphal Free Press |access-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112012649/http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/malom-massacre-horror-relived-13-years-later/ |archive-date=12 November 2013 }}</ref> was allegedly committed by the [[Assam Rifles]], one of the [[Paramilitary forces of India|Indian Paramilitary forces]] operating in the state.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/asia/09iht-letter09.html |title=Torchbearers for Victims in a Violent Land |author=Nilanjana S. Roy |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbZ8JaVL?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/asia/09iht-letter09.html?_r=1& |date=8 February 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="IE">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/52530/ |title=Why Malom is a big reason for Manipur anger against Army Act |author=Rahul Pathak |date=6 August 2004 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817153357/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/irom-sharmila-suffers-defeat-gets-only-90-votes/articleshow/57601062.cms |archive-date=17 August 2017 }}</ref> The victims included Leisangbam Ibetombi, a 62-year-old woman, and 18-year-old Sinam Chandramani, a 1998 [[National Bravery Award]] winner.
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| ==The fast and responses==
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| Sharmila, who was 28 at the time of Malom Massacre, began to fast in protest.<ref name="Tehelka">{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=Ne051209irom_and.asp |title=Irom and the Iron in India's Soul |author=Shoma Chaudhury |date=5 December 2009 |work=Tehelka |access-date=8 May 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbZKWnGT?url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=Ne051209irom_and.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her primary demand to the Indian government has been the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).<ref name="Bagchi"/><ref name="Tehelka"/><ref name="Manipur Fasting Woman Re-arrested"/> She began her fast in Malom on 5 November, and vowed not to eat, drink, comb her hair or look in a mirror until AFSPA was repealed.<ref name=bright>{{cite book|last1=Mehrotra|first1=Deepti Priya|title=Burning bright : Irom Sharmila and the struggle for peace in Manipur|date=2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|location=New Delhi|isbn=9780143103691|edition=2009}}</ref>
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| Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide",<ref name="Bagchi">{{cite news|last=Bagchi|first=Suvojit|title=Manipur woman's marathon fast|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5348414.stm|access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=BBC News, Manipur|date=19 September 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112014339/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5348414.stm|archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> which was unlawful under the [[Indian Penal Code]] (IPC) at that time, and was later transferred to judicial custody. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and [[nasogastric intubation]] was forced on her from 21 November in order to keep her alive while under arrest.<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-decade-of-starvation-for-irom-sharmila-2124608.html |title=A decade of starvation for Irom Sharmila |first=Andrew | last=Buncombe |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbZPgOSz?url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-decade-of-starvation-for-irom-sharmila-2124608.html |date=4 November 2010 |work=The Independent |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="bright"/>
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| Sharmila has been regularly released and re-arrested every year since her hunger strike began.<ref name="Manipur Fasting Woman Re-arrested">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7932116.stm |title=Manipur Fasting Woman Re-arrested |date=9 March 2009 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412004649/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7932116.stm |archive-date=12 April 2011 }}</ref>
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| By 2004, Sharmila had become an "icon of public resistance."<ref name="NYT"/> Following her procedural release on 2 October 2006 Sharmila went to [[Raj Ghat]], New Delhi, which she said was "to pay floral tribute to my ideal, [[Mahatma Gandhi]]." Later that evening, Sharmila headed for [[Jantar Mantar]] for a protest demonstration where she was joined by students, human rights activists and other concerned citizens.
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| On 6 October, she was re-arrested by the Delhi police for attempting suicide and was taken to the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]], where she wrote letters to the Prime Minister, the President, and the Home Minister.<ref name="Tehelka"/> At this time, she met and won the support of Nobel-laureate [[Shirin Ebadi]], the Nobel Laureate and human rights activist, who promised to take up Sharmila's cause at the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]].<ref name="Tehelka"/>
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| In 2011, she invited anti-corruption activist [[Anna Hazare]] to visit Manipur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2403845.ece |title=Irom Sharmila urges Anna to visit Manipur |author=Vidya Subramaniam |author-link=Vidya Subramaniam |date=28 August 2011 |work=The Hindu |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbZzTMbj?url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2403845.ece |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Hazare sent two representatives to meet with her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-of-anna-hazare-s-interview-to-ndtv-133365 |title=Highlights of Anna Hazare's interview to NDTV |date=13 September 2011 |publisher=NDTV |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bba65TPA?url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-of-anna-hazare-s-interview-to-ndtv-133365 |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| In September 2011, [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist)]] (CPI ML) openly stated its support for her and for repeal of AFSPA, calling for nationwide agitation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/cpi-ml-to-show-solidarity-to-sharmila-with-nationwide-agitation/ |title=CPI (ML) to show solidarity to Sharmila with nation-wide agitation |date=29 September 2011 |newspaper=Imphal Free Press via Kanglaonline |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bbeh4l5O?url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/cpi-ml-to-show-solidarity-to-sharmila-with-nationwide-agitation/ |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| Following that in October 2011, the Manipur Pradesh [[All India Trinamool Congress]] announced their support for Sharmila and called on party chief [[Mamata Banerjee]] to help repeal the AFSPA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-17/india/30289358_1_sharmila-chanu-afspa-full-support |title=Mamata's help sought for raising voice against AFSPA |date=17 October 2011 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bbcd7nSj?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-17/india/30289358_1_sharmila-chanu-afspa-full-support |archive-date=22 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> The In November, at the end of the eleventh year of her fast, Sharmila again called on Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] to repeal the law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-04/guwahati/30358807_1_irom-sharmila-chanu-jawaharlal-nehru-institute-prime-minister |title=PM should realize I am struggling for people: Irom |date=4 November 2011 |agency=Times News Network |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bbezm2kh?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-04/guwahati/30358807_1_irom-sharmila-chanu-jawaharlal-nehru-institute-prime-minister |access-date=21 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 3 November 100 women formed a human chain in [[Ambari]] to show support for Sharmila, while other civil society groups staged a 24-hour fast in a show of solidarity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-03/guwahati/30354514_1_irom-sharmila-chanu-military-act-village-near-imphal-airport |agency=Times News Network |title=Civil society groups in state back Irom's cause |date=3 November 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbfEeXhs?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-03/guwahati/30354514_1_irom-sharmila-chanu-military-act-village-near-imphal-airport |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| In 2011 the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) was launched to highlight Sharmila's struggle<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/save-sharmila-solidarity-campaign-launched/article2506988.ece Staff, The Hindu. Updated 3 October 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108092911/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/save-sharmila-solidarity-campaign-launched/article2506988.ece |date=8 November 2012 }}</ref> and in December 2011, [[Pune University]] announced a scholarship program for 39 female Manipuri students to take degree courses in honour of Irom Sharmila Chanu's 39 years of age.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-10/guwahati/30501580_1_girl-students-sharmila-scholarship |title=Scholarship for Manipuri girl students in Sharmila's honour |date=10 December 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbfZ4lpi?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-10/guwahati/30501580_1_girl-students-sharmila-scholarship |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| She has only met her mother once since the start of the fast as seeing her mother's anguish may break her resolve. She said "The day AFSPA is repealed I will eat rice from my mother's hand."<ref>{{cite journal|title=A Life-Affirming Fast|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|date=23 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=Sarkar>{{cite journal|last1=Sarkar|first1=S.|title=The Iron Lady of Manipur|journal=Indian Journal of Gender Studies|date=18 January 2013|volume=20|issue=1|pages=147–151|doi=10.1177/0971521512465965}}<!--|access-date=11 July 2015--></ref>
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| On 28 March 2016, she was released from judicial custody as charges against her was rejected by a local court in Imphal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/topic/irom-sharmila-released|title=Irom Sharmila Released: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Irom Sharmila Released - NDTV.COM|website=NDTV.com|access-date=16 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320105300/http://www.ndtv.com/topic/irom-sharmila-released|archive-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> Sharmila kept her vow of neither entering her house nor meeting her mother till the government repeals AFSPA and went to continue her fast at Shahid Minar, Imphal on the same day of her release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/irom-sharmila-re-arrested-after-resuming-hunger-strike-over-afspa-repeal/story-uLPBMWG4XafmRq2entR3gK.html|title=Irom Sharmila re-arrested after resuming hunger strike over Afspa repeal|website=http://Hindustan Times/|access-date=16 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327115940/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/irom-sharmila-re-arrested-after-resuming-hunger-strike-over-afspa-repeal/story-uLPBMWG4XafmRq2entR3gK.html|archive-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> She was again arrested by the police under the same charge of attempt to commit suicide by means of indefinite fast.
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| ===End of the fast===
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| On 26 July 2016, Irom Sharmila, who had been on a hunger strike since 2000, announced that she would end her fast on 9 August 2017. She also announced that she would contest the next state elections in Manipur.<ref>http://www.newindianexpress.com {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624191921/http://www.newindianexpress.com/ |date=24 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Irom Sharmila: India activist to end fast after 16 years|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36894139|access-date=27 July 2016|publisher=[[BBC]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729053552/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36894139|archive-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
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| The objective of her fast and entering politics is to fight for the removal of AFSPA as she has asserted "I will join politics and my fight will continue."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/irom-sharmila-to-end-her-fast-of-16-years-will-fight-polls/271530.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821063236/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/irom-sharmila-to-end-her-fast-of-16-years-will-fight-polls/271530.html |archive-date=21 August 2016 }}</ref>
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| ===International attention===
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| Sharmila was awarded the 2007 [[Gwangju Prize for Human Rights]], which is given to "an outstanding person or group, active in the promotion and advocacy of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights".<ref name="GP">{{cite web |url=http://eng.518.org/ease/gallery.es?mid=a50301010200&bid=0033&v_type=SK3&b_list=10&act=view&list_no=4&nPage=1&vlist_no_npage=0&keyField=&keyWord=&orderby=REG_DATE0 |title=Gwangju Prize for Human Rights |publisher=18 May Memorial Foundation |access-date=24 April 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbanmpWD?url=http://eng.518.org/ease/gallery.es?mid=a50301010200&bid=0033&v_type=SK3&b_list=10&act=view&list_no=4&nPage=1&vlist_no_npage=0&keyField=&keyWord=&orderby=REG_DATE |url-status=dead }}</ref> She shared the award with [[Lenin Raghuvanshi]] of [[People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights]], a northeastern Indian human rights organisation.<ref name="GP"/>
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| In 2009, she was awarded the first Mayillama Award of the Mayilamma Foundation "for achievement of her nonviolent struggle in Manipur".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar0210/oth05 |title=Kerala activists promise support to Irom Sharmila |author=Sobhapati Samom |date=1 March 2010 |work=Assam Tribune |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbjWtMkR?url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar0210%2Foth05 |access-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| In 2010, she won a lifetime achievement award from the [[Asian Human Rights Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-017-2010 |title=Human rights defender awarded for lifetime achievement |date=29 January 2010 |publisher=Asian Human Rights Commission |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbjjY6Vq?url=http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-017-2010 |access-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later that year, she won the [[Rabindranath Tagore]] Peace Prize of the [[Indian Institute of Planning and Management]], which came with a cash award of 5,100,000 rupees,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_irom-sharmila-awarded-rabindranath-tagore-peace-award_1436798 |title=Irom Sharmila awarded Rabindranath Tagore peace award |date=12 September 2010 |publisher=dnaindia.com |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bbb3gA6E?url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_irom-sharmila-awarded-rabindranath-tagore-peace-award_1436798 |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Sarva Gunah Sampannah "Award for Peace and Harmony" from the Signature Training Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manipuronline.com/headlines/sharmila-conferred-peace-award/2010/12/27 |title=Sharmila Conferred Peace Award |date=27 December 2010 |publisher=manipuronline.com |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbjNQlpg?url=http://manipuronline.com/headlines/sharmila-conferred-peace-award/2010/12/27 |access-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| In 2013, Amnesty International declared her a [[Prisoner of conscience]], and said she "is being held solely for a peaceful expression of her beliefs."<ref>{{cite news |author=Manash Pratim Gohai |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Sharmila-Chanu-must-be-immediately-released-Amnesty-India-says/articleshow/23391105.cms |title=Irom Sharmila Chanu must be immediately released, Amnesty India says |work=Times of India|date=2 October 2013 |access-date=8 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002051805/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Sharmila-Chanu-must-be-immediately-released-Amnesty-India-says/articleshow/23391105.cms |archive-date=2 October 2013 }}</ref> The influence made by Irom Sharmila is often considered as powerful as the influences by personalities in the past and present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetalkingstream.com/sharmila-manipur/|title=Moving on leaving a mark|website=The Talking Stream|access-date=16 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308184524/http://www.thetalkingstream.com/sharmila-manipur/|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>
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| ==Subsequent work==
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| In October 2016, she launched a political party named [[Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance]] to contest two Assembly constituencies of [[Khurai]] and [[Khangabok]]. [[Khangabok]] is the home constituency of Chief Minister [[Okram Ibobi Singh]].<ref name=AssamTrib2016-10>{{cite news|title=The Assam Tribune Online|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=oct1916/oth050|work=assamtribune.com|date=18 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116015051/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=oct1916%2Foth050|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=TimesIndia2016-10>{{cite news|last1=TNN & Agencies|title=Irom Sharmila's new party: People's Resurgence Justice Alliance|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Sharmilas-new-party-Peoples-Resurgence-Justice-Alliance/articleshow/54915182.cms|work=The Times of India|date=18 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022062555/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Irom-Sharmilas-new-party-Peoples-Resurgence-Justice-Alliance/articleshow/54915182.cms|archive-date=22 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Irom Sharmila launches People's Resurgence Justice Alliance, to contest Manipur polls|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/irom-sharmila-launches-peoples-resurgence-justice-alliance-to-contest-manipur-polls-3089401/|work=The Indian Express|date=18 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115194317/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/irom-sharmila-launches-peoples-resurgence-justice-alliance-to-contest-manipur-polls-3089401/|archive-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Irom Sharmila Floats People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance Party in Manipur|url=http://www.news18.com/news/politics/rights-activist-irom-sharmila-floats-peoples-resurgence-and-justice-alliance-party-in-manipur-1302825.html|work=News18|date=18 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115193703/http://www.news18.com/news/politics/rights-activist-irom-sharmila-floats-peoples-resurgence-and-justice-alliance-party-in-manipur-1302825.html|archive-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> In the [[2017 Manipur Legislative Assembly election]], the winner in [[Thoubal]], Ibobi Singh, received 18,649 and Sharmilla received 90 votes;<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/elections/manipur-2017/irom-sharmila-loses-to-manipur-cm-in-thoubal/article17446698.ece|title=Irom Sharmila secures just 90 votes, loses to Manipur CM in Thoubal|last=IANS|work=The Hindu|access-date=13 March 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817153357/http://www.thehindu.com/elections/manipur-2017/irom-sharmila-loses-to-manipur-cm-in-thoubal/article17446698.ece|archive-date=17 August 2017}}</ref> the fewest of the five candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/irom-sharmila-suffers-defeat-gets-only-90-votes/articleshow/57601062.cms|title=Irom Sharmila suffers defeat, gets only 90 votes|date=11 March 2017|work=Times of India|access-date=11 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817153357/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/irom-sharmila-suffers-defeat-gets-only-90-votes/articleshow/57601062.cms|archive-date=17 August 2017}}</ref>
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| In 2019, after the death of [[Gauri Lankesh]], Sharmila criticized the NDA government, accusing it of disregarding people's sentiments when making policy decisions. In an interview with [[The Economic Times]], she mentioned that she was no more interested in politics as she already experienced electoral politics and the dirtiness involved in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/centre-should-take-peoples-opinion-into-account-before-making-decisions-irom-sharmila/articleshow/68061990.cms |title=Centre should take people's opinion into account before making decisions: Irom Sharmila |author=PTI |date=19 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330170237/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/centre-should-take-peoples-opinion-into-account-before-making-decisions-irom-sharmila/articleshow/68061990.cms |archive-date=30 March 2019 }}</ref>
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| ==In popular culture==
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| Deepti Priya Mehrotra's ''Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur'' details Sharmila's life and the political background of her fast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/702-reluctant-heroine-burning-bright-by-deepti-priya-mehrotra.html |title=Reluctant heroine: 'Burning Bright' by Deepti Priya Mehrotra |author=Laxmi Murthy |date=December 2009 |work=Himal South Asian |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bbc3VWaU?url=http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/702-reluctant-heroine-burning-bright-by-deepti-priya-mehrotra.html |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| IronIrom: Two Journeys : Where the Abnormal is Normal (2012, with Minnie Vaid and Tayenjam Bijoykumar Singh)
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| Ojas S V, a theater artist from Pune, performed a mono-play titled ''Le Mashale'' ("Take the Torch"), based on Irom Sharmila's life and struggle. It is an adaptation of ''Meira Paibi'' (Women bearing torches), a drama written by Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran. The play was performed at several venues in several Indian states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article1407240.ece |title=For a noble cause |author=T. Saravanan |date=11 February 2011 |work=The Hindu |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbcD0DDR?url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article1407240.ece |access-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-12/chennai/28542440_1_irom-sharmila-manipur-imphal |title=Single act that captures a dozen wounds of Manipur |author=Shalini Umachandran |date=12 February 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |agency=Times News Network |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BbcHfokX?url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-12/chennai/28542440_1_irom-sharmila-manipur-imphal |access-date=21 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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| ==Personal life==
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| On Thursday 17 August 2017, Irom Sharmila Chanu married her British partner Desmond Anthony Bellarnine Coutinho in [[Kodaikanal]], a hill station in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/irom-marries-in-kodaikanal-sans-family-and-fanfare/article19512589.ece |title=Irom Sharmila marries in Kodaikanal, sans family and fanfare |date=18 August 2017 |work=The Hindu |access-date=30 March 2019 }}</ref> On Sunday 12 May 2019, at the age of 47, she gave birth to twin daughters in [[Karnataka]] in [[Bengaluru]], named Nix Shakhi and Autumn Tara.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/life-in-bengaluru/irom-sharmila-has-twins-on-mother-s-day-733531.html |title=Irom Sharmila has twins on Mother's Day |author=Akhil Kadidal, DH News Service, Bengaluru |date=13 May 2019 |work=Deccan Herald |access-date=13 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513130149/https://www.deccanherald.com/city/life-in-bengaluru/irom-sharmila-has-twins-on-mother-s-day-733531.html |archive-date=13 May 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-mothers-day-twin-girls-for-irom-sharmila-5724379 |title=On Mother's Day, twin girls for Irom Sharmila |date=13 May 2019 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=13 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513021443/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-mothers-day-twin-girls-for-irom-sharmila-5724379/ |archive-date=13 May 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/irom-sharmila-delivers-twin-girls-in-bengaluru/article27114623.ece |title=Irom Sharmila delivers twin girls in Bengaluru |date=13 May 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=13 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513084503/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/irom-sharmila-delivers-twin-girls-in-bengaluru/article27114623.ece |archive-date=13 May 2019 }}</ref>
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| ==See also==
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| * [[Indian general election, 2014 (Manipur)]]
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| * [[Insurgency in Manipur]]
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| * [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act]]
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|
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| ==Bibliography==
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| * Fragrance of Peace (2010)
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| * IronIrom: Two Journeys: Where the abnormal is normal.
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|33em}}
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|
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| ==External links==
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| {{Commons category}}
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| * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191011/http://www.museindia.com/viewarticle.asp?myr=2012&issid=41&id=3092 Analysis of Sharmila's poetry]
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| * [http://repealafspa.blogspot.in/ Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign]
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| * [http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=32367&ea.tracking.id=Country_India~MessagingCategory_CensorshipandFreeSpeech~MessagingCategory_PrisonersandPeopleatRisk~MessagingCategory_PrisonersandPeopleatRisk-PrisonersofConscience~MessagingCategory_WomensRights~Region Amnesty International USA's campaign page]
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| {{Authority control}}
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| {{Footer Gwangju Prize for Human Rights laureates}}
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Sharmila, Irom Chanu}}
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| [[Category:1972 births]]
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| [[Category:Indian activist journalists]]
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| [[Category:Indian civil rights activists]]
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| [[Category:Indian women activists]]
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| [[Category:Living people]]
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| [[Category:Meitei people]]
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| [[Category:Nonviolence advocates]]
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| [[Category:Political repression in India]]
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| [[Category:Writers from Northeast India]]
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| [[Category:Hunger strikers]]
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| [[Category:People from Imphal]]
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| [[Category:Indian women journalists]]
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| [[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]]
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| [[Category:Indian prisoners and detainees]]
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| [[Category:Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by India]]
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| [[Category:Women writers from Manipur]]
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| [[Category:Activists from Manipur]]
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| [[Category:Journalists from Manipur]]
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| [[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
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| [[Category:21st-century Indian poets]]
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| [[Category:Poets from Manipur]]
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| [[Category:Women civil rights activists]]
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