Significance of Hunger Strikes as a Method of Protest
They are used as a last resort to draw attention to political or social causes by enduring extreme personal suffering
Hunger strikes can severely impact health, causing physical deterioration and mental distress
Historical Context
Russian Prisoners (19th Century): Early use in Tsarist Siberia, with Leon Trotsky participating in 1898.
Suffragette Movement (Early 20th Century): Marion Wallace Dunlop and others used hunger strikes to gain political recognition, leading to force-feeding practices
Irish Republican Hunger Strikes (1920s): Terence MacSwiney and others became martyrs, increasing the prominence of hunger strikes in political struggles.
Indian Context
Indian hunger strikes ranged from personal grievances to broader political protests
Pandit Ram Rakha, a Ghadarite, died after a hunger strike to protest the forcible removal of his janeu (sacred thread) by jail authorities.
In contrast, Ghadar Party leader Sohan Singh Bhakna undertook a hunger strike to protest against the segregation of Mazhabi Sikhs, deemed as ‘low caste’
Gandhi’s fasting emphasized moral reform and political leverage, differentiating it from hunger strikes used by revolutionaries.
Vinayak Savarkar’s reluctant involvement highlights the tension and complexities within revolutionary strategies.
Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt protested against poor jail conditions with an indefinite hunger strike, during which Jatin Das made his famous “iota by iota” comment.
Jatin Das died after 63 days on hunger strike
In Post-Independence India
Potti Sriramulu’s death demonstrated the power of hunger strikes in achieving political demands and creating new states.
Irom Sharmila’s 16-year hunger strike highlighted the ongoing struggles against military policies and the limits of non-violent resistance.
Moral and Ethical Questions
Balancing the right to protest through hunger strikes with the duty to preserve life raises complex ethical dilemmas.
The ethical conflict for doctors between supporting a patient's autonomy and the imperative to provide life-saving treatment.
The state’s responsibility in preventing excessive harm and respecting the protester’s choice, while managing the societal and legal implications.
Societal Impact
Hunger strikes often lead to increased public support and heightened scrutiny of the issues at stake.
Past hunger strikes have influenced policy changes and legal reforms, demonstrating their potential effectiveness.
The practice of hunger strikes has become a symbol of extreme dedication and sacrifice, influencing both historical and contemporary protest movements
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