The Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila will soon get married to her long-term partner Desmond Coutinho, who is a British citizen, said reports. Sharmila is known for her fierce resistance against the Armed Forces Act in Manipur. Human rights activist Sharmila, on 5 November 2000, began a hunger strike which she ended on 9 August 2016, after 16 years of fasting. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called “the world’s longest hunger striker”.
Sharmila visited the sub registrar’s office in Kodaikanal on Wednesday to submit documents and complete other formalities. She moved to the town to live with her partner, who is an activist. This comes soon after her political party, People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, lost in the Manipur polls by garnering only 90 votes. Getting permission for the marriage as their marriage is inter-religious was not easy and has to be registered under the Special Marriage Act, which will require a 30-day period.
Coutinho said, “Once the paper works are accepted, within three months we can pick a day for our wedding… We will enjoy our private life post marriage. We will speak to the press post-marriage and till then we would love to be left alone.”
