IMPHAL, Aug 30 � Manipur�s human rights crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila has once again invited anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare to visit the State which she termed the most corruption affected region in the world.
�I have been inviting him to come�, Sharmila, Iron Lady of Manipur, after appearing before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East, told reporters. �But, I will not ask him to join the fast. Let it be their own conscience�.
Sharmila, who was produced before the Court on Tuesday, was booked under IPC section 309 (attempt to commit suicide). She had earlier invited Anna Hazare when the Team Anna requested her presence at Ramlila Ground to take part in the anti-corruption rally in New Delhi recently.
However, the 38 year-old activist, who had been fasting since 2000 for the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA), appeared happy to hear that Anna�s agitation has moved the Central Government.
�This indicates that God will judge in the course of time. Being a believer in God, I still believe that a Judgement Day will come in the near future�, she said.
On the question of ignoring her demand, she added, �Even if they (the government) continues to ignore our plights, one day they will realise that there is also other persons like Anna in the country�.
She also expressed the need for global bodies like United Nations to monitor human rights discrimination.
Irom Singhajit, elder brother of Sharmila, who has been solidly backing his sister�s campaign, expressed dissatisfaction over the indifferent attitude towards Sharmila. �Anna fights for a corruption-free society while my sister struggles for the right to life. But she does not have a political platform as she was born in a border State. It�s a racial discrimination�, he alleged.