Irom Sharmila to run for CM: Politics' gain or activism' loss?

The activist wants become Manipur CM after 20 years of civil disobedience against AFSPA. Will it mean a new political movement towards her cause to end AFSPA?

For nearly 20 years, Irom Sharmila used non-cooperation to force the government to end rule via Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur. The government relented to the extent that in the 2005, following the Justice Jeevan Reddy report created to ‘humanise’ AFSPA, the law was lifted in the municipal limits of Imphal (that is, Kangla Fort, the great monument to Manipuri pride, martial tradition and history). But it continues to be in place in the rest of the state, demonstrating the limits to civil disobedience in a regime that is neither imperialist, nor colonial and believes staunchly in the rule of law.

 
The recent Supreme Court observation that it was the political system that had failed India (the judges wondered how it was that nearly 50 years on an after countless sacrifices by police, paramilitary and armed forces) a law like AFSPA continued to be used in places like Manipur and Kashmir, tells its own story. We know that in past in Nagaland as well as Manipur, chief ministers have raised their own covert militias that they have used against political enemies. It is a complex issue, intersected by tribal loyalties and juggled by political leaders to stay in power.

Now, Irom Sharmila says she wants to be Chief Minister of a state to highlight AFSPA. Surely that cannot be a one-point manifesto? Granted that she is the living symbol of civil disobedience, sacrifice and commitment – but the people of Manipur would be excused for wanting a lot more from India and New Delhi. They would like more connectivity with the mainland, opportunities of employment, health education and upward mobility. They would want foreign policy to be tailored in a way that nearby nations like Myanmar and Thailand – with whom frankly, Manipuris have a lot more in common than India – are integrated into a system with India. 

 

Clearly it is not just power Sharmila wants – she already has that. She desperately wants to do something for her people. But Delhi is the place to agitate for that – not Imphal. Manipur still needs agitationists: Sharmila could become a symbol of that, going forward.
 
How she decided that becoming Chief Minister would resolve Manipur’s problems is not clear. Manipulation is an art political leaders excel in. She would be well-advised not to become an unwitting instrument.