People

19-year-old Sengodi  doused herself with petrol to protest death sentence. She died within two hours. Most of the mainstream media downplayed her act of protest. Some trivialised it by saying she killed herself over a love affair. Is political protest a male prerogative? Geeta Charusivam, introduces us to Sengodi, and questions the media’s bias.

Most of you must have read of Sengodi’s self immolation in front of Kancheepuram Taluk office on 28th August 2011. She was a long standing member of Makkal Mandram and lived in its ‘‘Commune’ ’ with us all.

The full text of the letter Irom Sharmila wrote to Anna Hazare in support of his anti-corruption hungerstrike.

23 August 2011, Tuesday

10.27am, Security Ward, JN Hospital

Respected Anna,

I whole heartedly welcome your invitation to join the anti corruption rally
you are crusading. And yet I would like you to be convinced of the reality