Ninglun Hanghal
New Delhi, Mar 13: Responding to the call, ‘From Gandhi to Sharmila campaign’, a programme entitled, ‘Voices of resistance against AFSPA’ was organised at Jawaharlal Nehru University here today. The programme was organised in commemoration of the 10th year of non-violent struggle of Irom Chanu Sharmila, who is currently crusading against the controversial AFSPA-1958.
The event jointly organized by various civil society organisations comprising of Other Media, South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Saheli, INSAF, Inter-cultural Resources, Delhi Forum, Speak Out Salem, Sangat, Reachout, Progressive Student Union, NAPM, Kriti, Jamia Teachers Solida- rity Association, Jagori, India Action Network, Cinema Collective, CACIM, Asha Parivar, ANHAD, All India Students Association and others was attended by the youth, social activists and renowned individuals.
Deepti Priya Mehrotra in her opening remarks recited Sharmila’s poem, Fragrance of Peace before a capacity crowd. Youths from Manipur staying/residing in the National capital under the banner of Burning Voices presen- ted their poems showing solidarity to the Iron Lady.
Speaking in the programme, human rights and women activists flayed AFSPA and other repressive laws that have tremendously affected the normal lives in the country.
The programme was organised to send out a message against AFSPA so that the Government of India may repeal the draconian Act at the earliest from the seven States of North East and Jammu and Kashmir. “The campaign would be carried forward till it (AFSPA) is repealed from all over the country” said Vani Subramanian, one of the key initiators of the event and an activist campaigner.
Sharmila's campaign echoes at Delhi
