The Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila, will soon get married to her long-term partner, Desmond Coutinho, who is a British citizen, reported The Hindu. Irom filed the papers for her marriage in Kodaikanal on 12 July. However, soon after on 13 July, V Mahendran, a local activist, started a petition against the marriage. The activist submitted his petition to the Sub-Registrar, asking the government to deny her permission to get married, reportedly.
When I met Irom Sharmila in Kodaikanal during her visit to Bodhi Zendo near Perumal Malai, she said that she came to Kodaikanal to lead a peaceful life. I welcomed her then, as she was a renowned activist.V Mahendran in his petition
Mahendran, however, decided to not support the marriage when in a recent television interview, Irom suggested extending support to the tribals in the area. Additionally, her fiance Desmond Coutinho, an activist himself, is also viewed as a threat to the peace and stability of the hills by Mahendran.
The human rights activist, who ended her hunger strike against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act after 16 years in August last year, 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, after her political party, People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, lost in the Manipur polls by garnering only 90 votes.
Permission was not granted to the couple as their marriage is inter-religious and has to be registered under the Special Marriage Act, which requires a 30-day period, said the report.
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, 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.
The two met for the first time in Imphal in February 2011.
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