When I first saw the name on an invitation to a book reading session, I could vaguely remember having heard the name before. On the day of the reading by Deepti (the author) of 'Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the struggle for peace in Manipur' I was assured that what I had heard of her was too little and incommensurate with the portent situation. Irom has been waging a brave battle that has been almost unnoticed by the media and civil society (if something like that exists in India, though I strongly believe in the contrary).
Deepti's simple as-a-matter-of-fact reading and the immense inner force of Irom moved me (even if for a few moments) and dented a few not-so-obvious but huge dents in the capitalist-consumerist life that I live and justify. I unsuccessfully searched for the book in order to be somewhat more aware of what is called society and country (an independent, sovereign republic mind you!).
Yesterday's news regarding the denial of VISA by Canada to many serving and retired officers of Indian Army though connected a few dots for me. The ground for denial was that Canada reserves the right to deny VISA to persons who serve/work in organisations that are involved in human rights violation. Indian Army serving in J&K, members of the BSF are under this category! Though Indian Army is no stranger to accusations of violation of human rights - J&K, Chattisgarh, Punjab and Manipur of course, blaming the entire basket for a few or quite a few bad apples would set a very bad precedent. What about US, UK and even Canadian troops engaged in human rights violation in Afganistan and Iraq?
Irom's struggle though made me realise that how much driven, forced and disturbed could someone be because of such 'incidents'. Here is someone who could have chosen a life that many many of her age lead - a well paying job in a concrete jungle, a boyfriend, marriage, many parties, weekend at malls, shopping, theaters etc. etc. But she rather chose to do what she calls her 'bounden duty'. I wonder how many of us have the propriety to even understand what those words mean. How many such duties have we comfortably ignored and they still stand wide-eyed staring at us in stark vacuity?
It is even more repulsive to see that a country whose struggle for was unique in its use of non-violent means for its end - freedom from foreign rule and tyranny, is resorting to the same means that her ruler did not more than 60 years ago to curb the voices of protest. A country where millions die of a familiar phenomenon-hunger, hunger strike was a language that Gandhiji used to communicate so effectively to the illiterate villagers and Britishers alike. Irom is arrested and re-arrested for the last 10 years for the same act.
Another dot - What should the tribals do about the loss of their land and livelihood? Come to Delhi, sit on hunger strikes? For how long? 10 years? Will anyone give a damn? Will the media even report it? Is it not more important to know whether IPL nights are the real cause of India exit from 20-20 world cup?
Will the Armed Forces Special Powers Act be repealed?
May The Strength be with you as it has been Irom. Amen!
It is even more repulsive to see that a country whose struggle for was unique in its use of non-violent means for its end - freedom from foreign rule and tyranny, is resorting to the same means that her ruler did not more than 60 years ago to curb the voices of protest. A country where millions die of a familiar phenomenon-hunger, hunger strike was a language that Gandhiji used to communicate so effectively to the illiterate villagers and Britishers alike. Irom is arrested and re-arrested for the last 10 years for the same act.
Another dot - What should the tribals do about the loss of their land and livelihood? Come to Delhi, sit on hunger strikes? For how long? 10 years? Will anyone give a damn? Will the media even report it? Is it not more important to know whether IPL nights are the real cause of India exit from 20-20 world cup?
Will the Armed Forces Special Powers Act be repealed?
May The Strength be with you as it has been Irom. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment