A peaceful, non-violent open-air music, dance & mime-art satyagraha to support Irom Sharmila Chanu at Outside Patiala House Complex > 8am-10am on 30th August 2013

Time : 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Entry : Free

Place : Main Gate, Patiala House Complex, Delhi 
Venue Info : Map | Nearest Metro Station - 'Pragati Maidan(Blue Line)' 

Event Description : Musical Satyagraha 2.0 for Irom Sharmila 
Our first musical satyagraha was small but strong. We had the supporters, we had the media, we had the onlookers. We raise awareness and got the deserved attention.
Now time has come to organize an even bigger musical satyagraha in solidarity with Irom Sharmila on her next court hearing on 30 August, 2013.

A peaceful, non-violent open-air music, dance and mime-art satyagraha to support Irom Sharmila Chanu, the iron lady of Manipur as the court hears her case.

Following bands have agreed to play at the event:
1) Ditty & Mark a jazz duo from Delhi
2) A-List with JAPA (Justice & Peace For All), a hip hop artist from Mumbai

We have chosen this time since the court sits at 10 AM to hear the case, and we have no intention of disrupting the judicial proceedings.

Irom Sharmila has been charged under Section 309 (attempting to commit suicide) of IPC after she went on fast until death at Jantar Mantar in 2006 demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

She has been fasting since November 2000, 4 days after the Malom Massacre occurred wherein 10 civilians were allegedly killed by the Assam Rifles of the Indian Paramilitary Forces, operating in the state.

Every year, Irom is released and re-arrested under section 309 which is punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year [or with fine, or with both].

After pleading Not guilty to the charges, the court scheduled her trial hearing on 22nd May, 2013 to record prosecution evidence based on the case registered back in 2006. However, since she was unable to turn (Government of Manipur refused to honour the court summons) on the said date, the court extended the hearing to 30th August, 2013.

Sharmila has said in the court, “I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace….. I do not want to commit suicide…… It is my demand to live as a human being.”

Following in Chanu's as well as Gandhiji's footsteps, we have decided to gather outside the main gates of the Patiala House for a peaceful musical event in support of this strong-willed, powerful lady.

Please join us in raising a voice.

To know more about Irom Sharmila check out these links: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irom_Chanu_Sharmila