Activist Irom Sharmila marries long-time partner

Manipur civil rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila married her long-time British partner Desmond Coutinho in Kodaikanal of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

The wedding was held in the presence of Sub-Registrar Radhakrishnan with Coutinho putting the ring on Sharmila’s finger.

Sources from the sub-registrar’s office said the couple came in the morning and signed the register after fulfilling all the requirements as per the Special Marriage Act.

Earlier, the couple married under the Hindu Marriage Act and were asked by the sub-registrar to register it under the Special Marriage Act as their wedding was an inter-religious one.

The couple did not distribute invitation cards as they decided that their wedding would be simple. Even family members of both the bride and the bridegroom did not attend the wedding. A ceremonial function would soon be held at a local church.

Objection rejected
The wedding was objected to by a local activist V Mahendran, who contended that if the couple stayed in the hills, tribals in the area would face law and order problems.

However, the sub-registrar rejected the objection, clearing the decks for the wedding.

The couple had submitted their application for marriage registration on July 12 and the sub-registrar had called for objections, if any, within 30 days time.

A group of tribals in the area, including Palani Malai Pulaiyan and Paliyar had submitted a memorandum to the sub- registrar in support of the wedding.

Sharmila had moved to Kodaikanal with Coutinho following her defeat in the Manipur Assembly elections in March last in which her party People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance had been routed.

‘Found peace’
Sharmila told reporters that Kodaikanal was a peaceful place and her search for peace had ended here.

The rights activist said she would raise her voice for the welfare of tribals in Kodaikanal hills.