Prison a microcosm of outside world, amplifying societal evils: Prof Saibaba

By Harsh Thakor*

In a press conference held in Telangana, Dr. G.N. Saibaba, a former English professor at Delhi University's Ram Lal Anand College and a political prisoner, has spoken candidly about the horrific conditions he endured while incarcerated. Recently acquitted of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Saibaba shared his harrowing experiences and called for greater advocacy for the rights of political prisoners.

Saibaba was previously convicted in 2017 for alleged connections to banned Left-wing extremist groups and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, on October 14, 2022, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court overturned his conviction.

During the press meeting organized by the Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ), Saibaba delivered an impassioned account of India’s drift towards a "proto-fascist" state. He described prison conditions as reminiscent of colonial-era brutality and emphasized the urgency of mobilizing efforts to defend the rights of political prisoners, who are suffering like never before.

His optimistic outlook after a decade behind bars serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and the thirst for freedom. A significant part of his address highlighted the rampant casteism prevalent in jails, demonstrating how incarceration dehumanizes individuals and strips them of their dignity.

Saibaba recounted enduring lasting damage to his nervous system during the arrest, stating that he was denied necessary medical treatment. “I look forward to the future without regrets for the past ten years. I believe I can recover,” Saibaba declared, sharply criticising the inhumane conditions of imprisonment.

He asserted that it is unjust for anyone, even convicted criminals, to be subjected to such treatment. “For the first time in my life, the jail authorities made me realize that I am disabled,” he added.

Saibaba also recounted the denial of bail and parole requests, including one to attend his mother’s funeral, condemning the solitary confinement he faced.

When asked about the impact of Telangana's statehood on prison conditions, he noted that the region had been liberated from the shackles of a ruling elite defined by caste and geography.

“Prison acts as a microcosm of the outside world, amplifying societal evils,” he asserted, highlighting the caste-based discrimination that permeates prison life, where tasks are assigned according to inmates’ caste identities—a practice even documented in jail manuals. He criticized the amended Prisons Act of 1894, which permits “mild bodily torture” as a disciplinary measure, stating it blatantly violates constitutional rights.

Saibaba expressed his disillusionment with the judicial system, perceiving it as part of a broader deterioration of societal institutions

Saibaba revealed that new prisoners are often subjected to arbitrary beatings upon arrival, with only a select few being spared. Recalling a meeting with former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, he expressed his concerns about prison conditions, only to find the politician later experiencing similar hardships firsthand.

Echoing his sentiments, other prominent figures like Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and businessman Naresh Goyal have also described the unacceptable state of prisons, yet systemic change remains elusive. "My belief is that no one should ever be imprisoned. The prison system devalues human life," Saibaba stated resolutely.

Reflecting on his unjust arrest, Saibaba shared that he faced intimidation from a team of officials, including the Maharashtra police, aimed at suppressing his activism against the Operation Green Hunt campaign. He also mentioned co-activist Hany Babu, a linguist who is languishing in prison and facing severe health issues. .

Saibaba expressed his disillusionment with the judicial system, perceiving it as part of a broader deterioration of societal institutions. He highlighted that even inmates without formal education are aware of which judges are more likely to issue favorable rulings.

He recounted discrepancies in his own bail petition process, which was frequently sidelined, drawing attention to the systemic inefficiencies and disparities within the judicial framework.

---

*Feelance journalist

Comments

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

A groundbreaking non-violent approach: Maharishi’s invincible defense technology

By MajGen (R) Kulwant Singh, Col (R) SP Bakshi, Col (R) Jitendra Jung Karki, LtCol (R) Gunter Chassé & Dr David Leffler* In today’s turbulent world, achieving lasting peace and ensuring national security are more urgent than ever. Traditional defense methods focus on advanced weapons, military strategies, and tactics, but a groundbreaking approach offers a new non-violent and holistic solution: Maharishi’s Invincible Defense Technology (IDT).

Govt of India asked to work for release of 217 Indian fishermen detained in Pakistan since 2021

By A Representative Members of the fishing communities from Gujarat and Diu, Union Territory, held a press conference in Ahmedabad, urging the Union Government to take proactive measures to secure the release of Indian fishermen currently detained in Pakistan. Presently, 217 Indian fishermen, mostly from Gujarat and Diu, are held in Pakistan’s Malir Jail. Of these, 53 have been incarcerated since 2021 and 130 since 2022.

This book examines dialectics of complex caste and class relationship

By Harsh Thakor* In Caste and Revolution by N. Ravi, the author addresses questions raised by Dalit and Bahujan intellectuals inspired by revolutionary parties. These questions center on caste issues and seek to formulate a profound diagnosis to chart a path toward the annihilation of caste. The book explains how caste-based feudalism and comprador bureaucratic capitalism intertwine to perpetuate the caste system. It asserts that only the path of a New Democratic Revolution can eradicate caste. The book delves into the need for an equal position for oppressed castes in all layers of society to abolish caste discrimination and oppression. It offers an analytical diagnosis, a penetrating navigation, and a detailed account of the dialectics of caste and class across diverse spheres. Annihilation of Caste and the New Democratic Revolution A revolutionary party develops a perspective document on the caste question, integrating its understanding of caste and the program for caste annih...

34 Dalit families in IIT Kanpur without toilets in Open Defecation Free India

By Sandeep Pandey When Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur was set up in 1959, two villages were uprooted. The farmers were given meagre compensation for the standing crop. No compensation was given for the land to build this institute of national importance. Each family was promised a job but what was not told to them was that one would require specialised skills to get a job at IIT. Some members of these families were, of course, absorbed for menial work. Some washerfolk families were also invited from outside to live on campus to take care of the laundry needs of students, staff and faculty members. One of these men was cajoled by IIT authorities then to forego a regular employment at IIT and instead take up clothes washing work.

प्राकृतिक संसाधनों के दोहन करने की प्रतिस्पर्धा: बढ़ रही पर्यावरणीय और सामाजिक चुनौतियां

- राज कुमार सिन्हा प्राकृतिक संसाधनों और कॉमन्स, जैसे सामुदायिक भूमि, वन, चारागाह और जल निकाय स्थानीय समुदायों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण हैं जो इन संसाधनों पर निर्भर हैं और उनके सतत् उपयोग एवं संरक्षण के लिए पीढ़ियों से प्रयासरत हैं। कॉमन्स न केवल हमारी पारिस्थितिकी को संतुलित रखते हैं, बल्कि ग्रामीण आजीविका, जैव विविधता, और जलवायु अनुकूलन के लिए भी महत्वपूर्ण हैं। दुर्भाग्यवश, हर साल इन संसाधनों में 4% की कमी आ रही है, जिससे पर्यावरणीय और सामाजिक चुनौतियां बढ़ रही हैं। इन कॉमन्स के संरक्षण और पुनरुद्धार के लिए दीर्घकालीन योजना पर कार्य करने की आवश्यकता है। जिससे एक बेहतर, समान और टिकाऊ भविष्य का निर्माण हो सके।

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By A Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Local businessman subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse: Demand for accountability, justice

By Kirity Roy* On October 9, 2024, a disturbing incident of harassment and abuse took place in the Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, involving a local businessman, Hasanur Gazi, who was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and religious discrimination by a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The incident, which occurred at the Hakimpur Checkpost, has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of citizens living in border areas, especially those belonging to religious minorities.

Search This Blog