A Protest That Became One of the Longest in Modern History
As environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike has once again drawn national attention, discussions have resurfaced about one of India’s most remarkable non-violent protests—the 16-year hunger strike led by Manipur’s civil rights activist Irom Sharmila. Known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur,” Sharmila’s protest remains one of the longest recorded hunger strikes in the world and continues to be a defining chapter in India’s human rights history.
Irom Sharmila began her indefinite fast on November 5, 2000, following the Malom incident in Manipur, where ten civilians were reportedly killed in firing allegedly involving security personnel. The incident deeply shocked the state and intensified long-standing concerns over the implementation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a law that had been enforced in several conflict-affected regions of India. Sharmila believed the legislation provided extraordinary powers to security forces while making legal accountability difficult, and she demanded its repeal from Manipur.
AFSPA has remained one of the country’s most debated security laws. Supporters argue that it is essential for maintaining law and order in insurgency-affected regions and enables security forces to respond effectively to armed militancy. Critics, however, contend that the law has led to allegations of excessive use of force and human rights violations, calling for stronger accountability mechanisms. The debate has continued for decades, involving governments, security experts, courts, activists, and local communities.
Determined to continue her peaceful resistance, Irom Sharmila refused to eat or drink voluntarily. Within days, she was arrested under the legal provisions then applicable for attempted suicide and placed in judicial custody. To prevent her death, authorities kept her alive through force-feeding using a nasogastric tube inserted through her nose. This method of medical intervention continued for years, making her protest unique in modern political history.
Throughout her fast, Sharmila became an international symbol of peaceful resistance. Human rights organizations, civil society groups, students, writers, and activists across India and abroad expressed support for her campaign. Several international organizations highlighted her struggle as an example of non-violent civil disobedience inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, although Sharmila maintained that her fight was specifically against AFSPA and not against the Indian state itself.
Her protest also brought renewed national attention to the situation in Manipur and India’s northeastern region, which often remained outside mainstream political discussions. For many residents of the region, Sharmila’s fast represented their demand for justice, accountability, and greater public awareness of the challenges faced by civilians living in conflict-affected areas. At the same time, security agencies continued to argue that AFSPA was necessary to combat insurgent violence and protect national security. This contrast kept the issue at the center of public debate for years.
Although her hunger strike gained global recognition, the primary demand for the complete repeal of AFSPA was not fulfilled during the period of her protest. After nearly sixteen years, Irom Sharmila announced in July 2016 that she would end her fast and continue her campaign through democratic politics. On August 9, 2016, she formally broke her fast with a small amount of honey, marking the end of one of the world’s longest hunger strikes.
Following the end of her fast, Sharmila entered electoral politics by founding the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA). She contested the 2017 Manipur Assembly elections, hoping to continue advocating for human rights and political reforms through democratic institutions. Although she received only a small number of votes and was defeated, she stated that her commitment to justice and peace remained unchanged.
The renewed discussion around Irom Sharmila’s movement has emerged as Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike captures public attention in 2026. While the issues being raised by the two activists are different, both movements demonstrate how hunger strikes continue to be used in India as a form of peaceful protest intended to draw attention to issues of public concern. Wangchuk’s protest has prompted many to revisit Sharmila’s extraordinary endurance and the broader role of non-violent resistance in democratic societies.
More than two decades after she first began her fast, Irom Sharmila remains one of India’s most recognizable human rights activists. Her protest sparked nationwide discussions on security laws, civil liberties, and democratic accountability, leaving an enduring legacy in India’s political and social history. Whether viewed through the lens of human rights advocacy or national security, her story continues to shape conversations about balancing constitutional rights with the challenges of maintaining peace in conflict-affected regions.
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