Irom Sharmila

Indian activist

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July 22, 2026

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Irom Sharmila is an Indian activist known for her prolonged hunger strike. From 2000 to 2016, she refused to eat for 16 years to protest the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur. This act grants Indian armed forces broad powers in "disturbed areas." Sharmila began her fast after ten civilians were killed by soldiers. During her protest, she was detained in a hospital and force-fed. She ended her hunger strike on the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, stating her intention to enter politics. Her protest is considered the longest hunger strike in history.1

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hunger strike
Other notable hunger strikes
…was waged by Indian activist Irom Sharmila from 2000 to 2016. She began her fast after 10 civilians in the state of Manipur were killed by soldiers under the privilege of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a security law that grants the Indian armed forces sweeping powers to maintain…
Read More
…was waged by Indian activist Irom Sharmila from 2000 to 2016. She began her fast after 10 civilians in the state of Manipur were killed by soldiers under the privilege of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a security law that grants the Indian armed forces sweeping powers to maintain…
Read More