I am a normal person, but people have started to idolize me, says Irom Sharmila

Irom Sharmila, the Manipuri activist who recently ended her hunger strike that was going on for last 16 years, has said that she wants people to know her as a real person.

"...But I'm viewed as a strange person," Sharmila said while talking to TNN.

Disturbed by the publicity and the 'celebrity' status that she has garnered over the years, she seems to be fed up with all rumours being spread about her.

"Without my knowledge they (people) have already idolized me. Without connecting with my real being (they have idolized me). That's why my natural being can't be respected by them. This is the biggest problem," Sharmila said.

She still wants the severe AFSPA rule to be lifted, the legislation that allows armed forces extraordinary powers in "disturbed" regions, which formed the very basis of her hunger strike.

She added that after ending her fast, her new life is going to be a bigger struggle than when she was observing it.

"My demand is this (repealing AFSPA) but their sentiment is ... they just (think) as if I've fallen in hell, I think. This very hell of politics that is, (but) all these things, between politics, politicians and public are all correlated. They don't know this, this is the problem. Respect the sacred ballot box, this (is what) will bring sense in society," Sharmila said.

She now wants to take a new, political route so that her demands are met and the situation in Manipur is improved, which she accepts is going to be difficult, since it will involve changing people’s mindsets.

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