Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast close to 11 years to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur, feels Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption is ‘somewhat artificial’.
Called the ‘Iron lady of Manipur’, 37-year-old Sharmila also urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to treat her like Hazare, who on Sunday ended his 12-day fast against corruption that shook the nation.
"It's (Anna Hazare's movement) somewhat artificial, how can we eradicate corruption? In my case I am a simple woman who wants to reform society. I have no idea about social activists or social workers," she told TV channels on Thursday.
Sharmila however said she revered the 74-year-old crusader against corruption.
She also voiced her disappointment at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not keeping his promise of amending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
"I don't like his (the Prime Minister's) leadership. When he couldn't keep his promise, it is a shame". Singh had made the promise in 2004 when he was on a visit to Imphal.
"I would like to request him that treat me without discrimination. Look at me like Anna Hazare, just like people in God's eyes are equal," she said, adding "I would just like to request him (prime minister)...change your mindset."
Sharmila claimed that the Union government and its observers feel that Northeast people are inefficient and that they are not like mainland. "They don't like to treat us like Anna," she added.