Even before Irom Sharmila called off her fast in Manipur, her 16-year protest reverberated nationwide and beyond (“A celebration of everydayness”, July 29). Ms. Sharmila’s fast is memorable as it drove home the fact that a civilised form of protest can be sustained during a period marked by insurgency and terror. The wisdom of abandoning the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act now lies at the government’s door.
C. John Rose,Thiruvananthapuram
That Ms. Sharmila’s decision was on the front page of every newspaper is special as Northeast-related issues hardly get such coverage. Hers is a bold decision, but it is not the end of the journey. This is merely a new approach, a new means towards the same end. I am proud to be a woman from a State where despite everything being ravaged by a draconian law, a woman continues to show the world that she is no less than a man.
Monica Thingbaijam,Imphal East
Ms. Sharmila has realised that when things don’t work your way, you have to make them work for you. The decision to enter legislature to repeal AFSPA is a more realistic move than continuous fasting.
The draconian law has only further alienated people of the Northeast. It is sad that there is no accountability and judicial scrutiny of the security forces, and that curtailment of expression of people in a democracy continues. The Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee in 2005 recommended that AFSPA be repealed since there is no stability in the Northeast. This has not happened. While total abrogation might be detrimental to national integrity, it is imperative to amend certain controversial provisions of the Act which are anathema to the people living in Manipur.
Gagan Pratap Singh,Noida
