I am ready to become a martyr: Sharmila "People of Manipur misunderstood my decision"
“People of Manipur misunderstood the news about me," says Irom Sharmila, the iconic activist who ended her 16 year long hunger stir against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur.
Read More: Irom Sharmila's Walk to Freedom
Dejected by public response to her decision to end the fast on Tuesday, Sharmila told Asianet News that the people of Manipur misunderstood her.
Also read : Irom Sharmila's fast changed narratives of human rights
"They can't change their mind towards me… as if I were a demigod or saint or something like that, against the real being of me,” she said.
People of Imphal are divided over Sharmila’s decision to break the fast. Meira Paibis, an organisation of mothers, is afraid that the move will weaken their fight against alleged military atrocities in the state.
Justifying her decision to enter politics the Iron Lady of Manipur said that she needed power to address the real concerns. "I really need to have the power to have my voice direct to the real concerns and authorities," she said.
"If they really want me to be the martyr, let me be. I am ready to be. Just like the fanatic Hindus killed Mahatma Gandhiji,” Sharmila said.
