SISTER, WHY DO YOU REFUSE TO EAT?

She fights with her life

for repeal of an unjust
law, raping democracy
in her homeland….

A hunger strike spanning

a decade, sends chills down
the spines of those who run
Indian state….

She stares down the might

of a powerful state, renders
it impotent almost, its
bureaucracy, armed forces,

Virtually helpless against

raw courage, determination,
sense of righteousness of a
lone woman; her iron resolve
its prisons, force feedings,
unable to subdue, like
Aung San Suu Kyi, she
remains a prisoner of

conscience against state

repression. Did I say
state repression? Hey
wait! This is not Burma,

is it? There are no dictators

here! This is India! World’s
largest democracy! Yet, the
state represses? But why?

Tell me, really who’s

afraid of Irom Sharmila?
Why are we desperate to
muffle her protest?

I was taught that all

Indians are my brothers
and sisters! Then why is
my sister refusing to eat?

What burned an anguish

so deep in her heart?
Refusing food for a
whole decade!

What filled her soul

with a terrible resolve?
Why are we deaf to
Manipur’s agony?
Is she being obstinate?
Asking too much? To
withdraw the licence to
kill with impunity……

The Armed Forces Special

Powers Act! A democracy,
needs this to fight our own?
Then shame on us!

A democracy or a demon
crazy? Remember Irom
Sharmila is not alone. If
Manipur wails India bleeds!

Arrogance crumbles mighty

empires! Let’s wake up before
it’s too late and ask our sister
why she refuses to eat!
---------------------------------------
31/03/10 R Jayachandran

*39 year old, IROM SHARMILA CHANU has been on a

fast unto death since November 4th 2000, demanding
the withdrawal of AFSPA, The Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur and neighboring
states of the north east. She was arrested on November 6th,
2000. Since then a ritual of release and rearrest has been
continuing as she insists on continuing her fast till her
demands are met.
Fragrance of Peace
A poem by Irom Sharmila
When life comes to its end
You, please transport
My lifeless body
Place it on the soil of Father Koubru

To reduce my dead body

To cinders amidst the flames
Chopping it with axe and spade
Fills my mind with revulsion

The outer cover is sure to dry out

Let it rot under the ground
Let it be of some use to future generations
Let it transform into ore in the mine

I'll spread the fragrance of peace

From Kanglei, my birthplace
In the ages to come
It will spread all over the world.

-lrom Sharmila