Artistes against AFSPA

The draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has constantly been in the news for the past few months. While J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah's attempt at revocation of the act from 'peaceful areas' is only recent, poet-activist Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike to repeal AFSPA from Manipur and other parts of North East India for more than 500 weeks now. To support the Iron Lady of Manipur, artists such as Aditi Chitre, Iris Yingzen, Nalini Malani, Rekha Rodwittiya, Riyas Komu, Sharmila Samant, Shilpa Gupta, Surendran Nair, Vasudha Thozhur, Tushar Joag and Raqs Media Collective have come together for a series of programmes this evening.The event will include a performance by Tushar Joag, a panel discussion between Mihir Desai, Flavia Agnes, Ritu Diwan and Zasha Colah, a procession of flags by students of JJ School of Art, Rachna Sansad and MSU Baroda led by Sharmila Samant, and Sumesh Sharma, and film screenings to highlight the struggle against AFSPA. ON Today, 5 pm to 9 pmWHERE Auditorium, fourth floor, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Colaba. u00a0