Sharmila’s challenge

Irom Sharmila formally entered politics October 18 with the formation of the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, of which she is joint convenor. The rough and tumble of politics will be a totally different challenge for her after campaigning single-mindedly for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, applicable in the Northeast and Kashmir. Her extraordinary 16-year fast, when she kept her vow “not to eat, drink, comb her air or look in the mirror” till her objective was met, drew world attention to the armed forces’ excesses while dealing with insurgencies. But will she now succeed through the ballot box in a mission she couldn’t accomplish despite turning into an icon of activism?

There’s no doubt her charisma will draw votes, perhaps more for herself than her fledgling party, though feelings against human rights abuses by the Army must run high in its theatre of operations. In taking up cudgels against the “Malom Massacre” unleashed by a paramilitary unit back in 2000, she found a worthy cause. In trying to turn into a political leader by challenging the CM in his constituency, Sharmila has taken a pathbreaking step.

The difficulties ahead lie not only in trying to gain power via the ballot but also in battling to bring about the repeal of an unpopular law, that the Centre endorses as a means of fighting those who take up arms against the State.

In an ideal world, there would be no need for special powers. But then how does a nation deal with insurgencies?