BBC News Review: World's longest hunger strike ends 2022

September 27, 2022



Irom Sharmila hasn’t eaten anything for 16 years as a protest against army powers in India. Join Neil and Catherine in News Review as they bring you this story and the language you need to understand it.
For more, visit our website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/towards-advanced/unit-6/session-2

The story

One of India’s best known political activists, Irom Sharmila, has told a court that she’s ending a 16-year hunger strike, during much of which she’s been force-fed in hospital.

She was protesting against a law that gives the Indian army sweeping powers.

Sanjoy Majunder – BBC news

She was able to leave the ambulance – she was supported by two policewomen, but was able to walk up the steps.

We understand she’s told the judge that she stands by the decision she announced a few weeks ago – the decision to finally end her fast of 16 years.

Now remember it’s a protest she began in the year 2000 against a law that grants the Indian security forces here in Manipur and other frontline states – sweeping powers to arrest suspects, even shoot to kill, and more importantly, immunity from prosecution.

That law still exists on the books. But she has decided to end her fast.
Key words and phrases

activist
person with a strong belief in a certain cause who takes action to achieve their aims

hunger strike
time during which someone refuses to eat as a protest

fast
period of time when a person chooses not to eat

‘iron’
Here used as an adjective used to describe a person who is mentally and emotionally strong

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33 Comments
  1. Thanks! But could you explaine why you used an infinitive directly after the subject? For example : Irom samila to break 16-year long fast… where is the main verb? Sorry if I confused you

  2. Caterina is Teacher best.

  3. love this chanel, keep doing, please. Thank you😘😘

  4. Catherine and Neil making full efforts for us to understand language easily. Thanks to you both.

  5. Reply
    Cesar Abraham Moran Rosillo September 27, 2022 at 11:45 am

    Saludos desde Tumbes – Peru . Many thank to impruve my listening skills.

  6. Thanks, BBC!!!!

  7. Always to your program 👍👍👍👍👍👍❤

  8. Reply
    اسراء السعدون September 27, 2022 at 11:45 am

    thanks for your effort from this job

  9. Neil you have such a cute hair style …😍😍😍

  10. Thanks mention Ramadan this for Muslims fasting 30 days.

  11. Massive efforts @ BBC ,also i like the way that print the transcript in Descriptions,its help us a lot .

  12. She was fast for legal and their rights about freedom she is weak because an iron is like a human life.

  13. Hellow its Arika .I am not receiving any notifications from bbc (world page)how can I get notifications?????I'm not getting any options😭😭😭😭plllllllzzzzz help😭😭

  14. She is from Manipur not India. India has implemented a law called afspa, that allow the Indian army to shoot and kill any Manipuri people without justice. She is trying to stop this and god bless her for this.

  15. I learned a word today is 'slactivist' that is I've not heard before.

  16. how can someone survive 16 years withiut eat?

  17. yes she is really iron lady she is my neighbour i know her well

  18. where i can find the transcript? Please

  19. Transcript please

  20. it's good to "put a face to your voice" guys! I've listening your audios for the last two years, because I can't see videos on the BBC app, I am very happy today 🙂
    Thank you for your lessons, videos and audios 👌👏

  21. Reply
    Ningthoukhongjam Sanajaoba Meetei September 27, 2022 at 11:45 am

    very interesting to point out some new idoms

  22. What is the opposite of activist? Slouch? Thanks.

  23. Reply
    Kuroihan Tuanabdulrahmann September 27, 2022 at 11:45 am

    Thanks you very much

  24. Reply
    Carlos Alberto Rodrigues - September 27, 2022 at 11:45 am

    Great! Thanks.

  25. It's been a long time since I didn't see Finn.

  26. Fantastic. Thanks!

  27. very clear & interesting
    thank BBC

  28. really effective and good way to describe the words,thanks…

  29. Love you guys so much <3

  30. Good job! keep doing! this program help me to read news and understand it in depth 😉

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