Manipuris and Sharmila Irom

Perennially throttled by political instability, ethnic violence and endless unanticipated sporadic violent eruptions in the state, it appears that Manipuris have learnt the hard way to cope and negotiate with violence almost on a daily basis. In such an environment, Irom Sharmila, the global non-violent icon, failed to make sense for the majority of Manipuris when she took on the former chief minister in the recent assembly elections.

When Sharmila endured her 16-year long fast in protest against the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 and human rights violation committed by the state, she was housed in the hospital with no feasible public support for the cause she felt worthy to sacrifice her life. The iconic non-violent rebel emerged ever stronger to build a future of truth, justice and peace, a cause she found worthy of giving everything through electoral politics which the Manipuris ridiculed.