Republished by feet :
Fighter Professor at the University of Delhi G. N. Siebaba
For the unthinkable judicial adventures, the hassle of prison and his state of health after all this is listed as follows interview of the militant whose imprisonment had caused a wave Support from all corners of the globe.
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How do you feel out of prison after so many years?
At first, I never expected to imprison for so much. Before my conviction, Within a period of three years, I was in prison for 17 months. After The conviction, I stayed in prison for 7 years. Total, nearly 8.5 years in the last 10 years.
Still And if one is guilty of some crime, it is huge penalty. But in our case, for no reason or reason, We were imprisoned for such a long time. Maybe nobody out too Do not expect to suffer such hassle for so much. The criminal Procedure has made a punishment in itself.
After the first mandate [of the Supreme Court] for my release, I had to spend almost another one and a half years in prison and succeed Another order for liberation. Maybe this hadn't happened before History of Indian Criminal Justice.
Without An offense, this is a punishment for such a long time. And I don't know another person who had to pass two hearing procedures in a constitutional court for an appeal against a penalty. This is something unheard of.
One can only think: Why is this happening in this country at this juncture? This is a big issue .
How is your health now?
Ten Years ago, when I was arrested, I had only effects of Polyomyelitis as residues. My feet had been hurt by the Polyomyelitis. For the rest, I was healthy. I did everything on my own, Although I was in a wheelchair. I was helping Vasanda (p. parapoda : Saybaba's wife.) . I was moving quite freely without much concern for being disabled.
After I was thrown into prison, everything changed in my life.
Saybaba with his wife Vasanda Kumari. (Photo: PTI – WITH )
First I suffered from brachial plexus paralysis. There was a rupture of the nervous system that connects the shoulder to the brain because of the ill-treatment by the police when they kidnapped and arrested me. This It hurt my shoulder. I can't lift my left hand. I can't to do nothing with it. I can't keep a book.
Because of of destruction of the nervous system, muscles were also affected of the shoulder. Because of pulling and trauma, my left ribs They were crowded and crushed. These hit the lungs. With the Their turn, these affected my heart, and hit the left side her. But my backbone was also affected, because the ribs They were crushed in a small spot.
All This side of my body has been affected. In the last 10 years, I feel severe pain in my left arm and leg. Because of its destruction nervous system and muscles, my left shoulder is paralyzed completely.
Because of The effect on my left lung, sleep apnea began. From the Nose to the lungs, the path of breathing was affected. This caused a obstructive sleep apnea. Because of this, I can't sleep.
I have suffer a state of the heart called hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which had not been detected in any medicine exam before I throw in prison. As a result of this, the left side The heart works only with 55% of its ability. Began and high blood pressure because the heart wall could not push the blood quite a bit into my body.
That's all In ten years, I developed a bladder in the brain. It is not much serious, at present, however, could be done at any time malignant.
Found Also, kidney stones due to limited life and difficulties movement without the possibility of exercise or any physical activity in prison. Although the stones were crushed, cysts formed in the right kidney.
I still developed bile stones due to a lack of feeding for long periods. This led to pancreatitis.
THE list is endless. All of these diseases were developed in prison. Until I went out there was no proper medical care these ten years. Therefore, I suffer from multiple diseases.
He needs Now to have this medical care. It all depends on how now, After such a period of time, I will be able to run, and how many instruments will remain affected and will be able to be carried out. This will See.
The Next days, I will be in hospitals for exams and treatments. We do not know how much it will get and to what extent I will recover.
Why You were not able to access proper medical care in prison; Why were you not given a guarantee suspension, for medical reasons;
THE This suspension was rejected twice by the Supreme Court. However, had been written in the decision to reject the suspension that I should have Regular and appropriate medical care.
Nevertheless, Prison authorities ignored and violated the decision. Although with They sent to Nagpour Medical School several times, it was about Something typical and rough. I was just going and returning. With this, They showed that they were trying to provide me with treatment, but there was no treatment.
If See my medical history, you will see how medical care It was avoided and not provided. In the end, just before I release, every section wrote that [this treatment or medicine] are not available, not We can do this, it's available elsewhere. Why doctors wrote Only at the end of the ten years that they couldn't heal me? I will They had to report it ten years ago.
Not they did anything but to give me painkillers and put me sleep. If the treatment was not available to them at the beginning of ten years, they had to have written it and ask to be transferred to A suitable hospital available.
Which one Were the biggest challenges you encountered in prison? How do you Did prison staff behave and detainees?
The detainees were very helpful. They were very kind. They wanted to be with me all the time, even though I was in a 'Ada' cell (p. parapoda : Cell in the highest safety wing, in oval form within the rest Prison, no light, with minimal ventilation and small space for movement.) , where very few - fewer than 10 - could have contact with me when I was not locked in the cell.
THE Picture that prison authorities and state mechanism were trying to give it was that I was somebody's notorious terrorist - a "Brain" of international Maoism. Each type of characterization used to terrorize prisoners, officers of prison and the guards. They wanted to keep me isolated.
Not They said none of this in front of me. But if a guard was coming For service in Ada, they were told in advance “Don't talk to this atom. Keep away away. Don't spend time with him. We have instructions from the Above that this man is very dangerous. Will change your Mind and you won't even understand it. "
To prisoners also said behind my back not to come to me and not spend their time with them. The upper ones spread These things and gave corresponding commands.
Nevertheless None of this was believed by the guards or the Prisoners. He was always with me. They always wanted to be taught things from me and spend time with me. Here's why, whichever Even if the prison authorities made efforts from above, they did not never materialized. Prisoners and prison staff They understood what kind of person I am. They loved talking to me.
There was a great distance between what the authorities wanted to do to me and what really happened.
But because prison is a structure of 19 Th century, which the British had made, there was no accessibility or Comfort or elementary provisions to live as a human being. Everyone had to live in inhumane conditions. And I had to live with Too many restrictions - less and by inhumane - because the My wheelchair was not moving, they had to carry me in the Toilet, get me with their hands.
Felt that my dignity was being violated. They attacked the human condition my. It was a contempt for the very human condition the way that They created these conditions and forced me to live. You must You fight to keep living.
How did you spend your time in prison? How did you keep in touch with developments in the outside world?
THE Vasanda was sending me books. I was buying English newspapers with my own charge. Beyond that, my vase sent prints from electronic media and wrote letters to me, informing me of what They were happening outside. This was the only way out.
There is A mulakat [visit] but it is very short. You can only wish the formalities and time is running out. The only way was letters from Vasanta and all the materials she sent, perhaps a thousand books brought all these years, from Delhi to Nagpur and, since the I was reading, he was taking them back. He did everything possible to provide for me Information on current affairs, knowledge, books and magazines. It was the only way I could know what's going on outside of them four walls;
One The book I really liked was "Leila" by Prayag Akbar and, from the most recent, by K.R. Mira, "The Killer". I really liked the literature. I also read philosophy a lot. I also liked her philosopher economics Tomás Piketty. I read his recent books "Capital and Ideology" and "A Brief History of Equality". Among historians, I was reading from D.D. Kosabi (p. parapoda : Was distinguished for the emphasis on the study of history on the basis of the dynamic evolution of socio -economic formations.) And, of the most recent, Aidter Singing (p. parapoda : Exploring ancient and early medieval India.) and the nagot Lahiri (p. parapoda : With research field of ancient India.) , as well as Romila Tapap (p. parapoda : With a field of research also ancient India.) . I read a plethora of books - from scientifically science fiction. "Cell Song" is a book I recently read (p. parapoda : Authored by Indian-American physician and biologist Siddhartha Mukherjee.) .
How did you keep psychologically during this test?
Each I was reading, writing and teaching the detainees. Filter Every day with activities and I was employed from morning to afternoon Doing all this.
To Prison, all prisoners apply to the courts. From Supreme and the Supreme Court as the Criminal Courts and the Peace Courts. But few can write. Whichever can Write in English, it is in high demand. I spent most time compiling such applications.
There were so many who didn't go out for a long time with a guarantee And they had no lawyer. You had to write applications for them and then They would send it and get some relief. That was another one activity that took time.
You have been arrested Because you were supposed to have extreme views. What exactly is the cosmopolitanism And your ideology? Changed, in any way, the last ten years?
My ideas and my belief system have been the same since I was a student. There is absolutely nothing to change.
As to They call these ideas extreme are the same extremes. Who are they Those who characterize a terrorist man? We must see Because they do it and why they call me a terrorist.
G. N. Sieba at his residence in Delhi. (Photo: Vineet Bhalla)
I have a public life. I was talking and writing intensively. I had a life as a public face. Everyone knows what I am. To believe in humanity and In social progress, is this extremist view?
You regret, somehow, because you were in favor of marginalized Communities or had you been united with some people and organizations? Now that you are free after so long, you will resume the The job of defense of them in which you used to be?
Basically, I am a teacher. After that, alongside that, I am a supporter of human rights. I believe everyone who has the ability to understand the world and what surrounds them and perceive them marginalization procedures and marginalized sections of society have the responsibility to talk about them and stand at their side. If we do not do this as responsible citizens, perhaps not We do what we should in our lives.
Not It's just that I think I have to do this project. I believe that Anyone who has any ability and advantage over those who people are and remain marginalized they should do this project. This is something that cannot be described as a It cannot be stopped.
The My work is legal. I work in the public sphere. In spite of disability me, I have made a space for my work for people. Not I regret at all.
Not They arrested me and didn't call me as a terrorist because my work was wrong. Various forces are afraid that I can highlight the Truth of how some people are marginalized and how the marginalization. They do not want this project to continue. For why with They put behind the railings for such a long time.
You are professor. What about your career now? You have submitted Request at the University of Delhi to re -order you? You are looking for a position Professor elsewhere?
The My lawyers are dealing with the issue. I would like to wait and see What the lawyers and the administration of the University can do.
As I have been a teacher all my life, I would like to continue until I I die. My lawyers and colleagues work in order to See what can be done.
You have been arrested by the Maharastra Police when in the state government was the united progressive alliance led by the Indian national Congress. Two years ago, when you had got rid of the upper Court of Mumbai was immediately appealed by her government Maharastra, in which the National Democratic Alliance was located It consists of Sib you (p. parapoda : Sivazi's army - is considered the founder of the Marata Empire in 17 The century -, right -wing supranationalist and party of the caste of the Marata, which Founded in 1966 with a great history of murder of Democrats and generally dissidents.) and the Indian People's Party (p. parapoda : B JP , the ruling party at the pan-India level, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.) . Even now, the Government of Maharastra, Sib Sena and his BJP , appeal against your exemption. It seems that both of the biggest political parties are against you. Do you believe in a party? When you were in prison, did a political leader approach you to help you?
To Prison, no. When I was out, there were many individuals. GG of kki D. Raja, GG of KKI (Marxist) Sitharam Getsouri, Ani Raja of kki. Many MPs from the South, Bihar and Bengal Against this situation, of all parties, perhaps except for Rulers of parties in a state or center at that time. The More spoke and wrote publicly in my support. They did Instructions within Parliament and made requests outside.
Not is that all political parties characterized me with a particular way. I was arrested a few days before the final phase of the election for Lower House (Locke Sampha) in 2014. I'm releasing now, just before the Elections again for Locke Sampha. A complete ten -year cycle has Complete.
Not I know what views the political parties have. But individual Members, at central and state level, various parties They were unequivocally placed against my arrest and know the injustice against me and the reasons why they involved me in a Such a case.
The things are complex and not white or black. There are gray Shades, there are brighter colors, a range of colors. Not We can say that all political parties turned against me and my co -defendants.
When You were acquitted in 2022, the next day the Supreme Court suspended your release at a special meeting. How did you feel when They all happened when you learned that you would get rid of, before it was taken Back and that? Are afraid that the Supreme Court may cancel the Exemption?
Your I already said that this process of double acquittal is a rare procedure. I asked prominent lawyers as well as if something like that had Ever happens again. No one could report a similar case.
Never I did not lose hope that I would be justified. Although justification was late and my deprived her with this delay, I hoped that one day, one can to see the light in the tunnel.
Not I have any fear or suspicion that the supreme judicial institution will eventually stand by side of injustice. Therefore I do not have any concern for I am again.
I am aware that these things happened because of the specific historians Developments in India over the last decade and the kind of pressure that the Justice exists. That's why I describe all this as a test.
When The Supreme Court ordered a suspension of my release in 2022, I was sure that this suspension could not be able to afford it, because Legally it did not stand. The suspension itself was unheard of in legal time. But this particular decision that deducted us was legally stood and It was clear.
When The criminal procedure goes wrong, and this was determined by a Constitutional Court, there is no need for another constitutional court to study what was deposited as evidence. When the same process is wrong, no item can be admissible and be right. The exemption order was based on the themselves Supreme Court decisions and the case -law developed on A series of decades from the work of the Supreme Court.
How May the Supreme Court deny the evolution of its own Jurisprudence? I had not believed that the suspension would stand. However, I am happy today that the Supreme Court investigated the evidence material as well as the criminal procedure and characterized both of them incorrectly. Clearly ruled about it, with a historical decision, which would It is useful in the further evolution of case law in this country.
To Because I say I had to get through the test of fire twice. But this was not a test of fire only for me and co -defendants. It was also a test for the superior Judicial Institutions as well. In this case they were suffocating because of the ubiquitous pressure by various forces. However, they passed the trial successfully and attributed justice, even though she was delayed a lot and nothing can compensate the injustice that occurred with the delay.
Together with senior judges we had to suffer Agni Pariska (p. parapoda : Testing of fire with self -reliance, in Indian literature.) And we passed it successfully. Future generations will appreciate its results.
THE Your durability and optimism are typical. The last ten Years, you should feel extremely upset and helpless because of injustice at various times. How did you deal with these Feelings and how did you develop such endurance?
Taught Cambir (p. parapoda : Poet and important figure in Hinduism, Sikhs and Islam, especially Sufism. On 15 The century became known for his criticism of organized religion and religions, questioning the meaning and ethics of the practices of everyone of religions. He said that the truth is with the one walking on the road of justice and abandoned the "I".) at the university of Delhi. I love Cambir. I asked Vasanda to bring me a bell again. He brought me many books - various poems. Therefore the Cambir He gave me hope.
If See them antibassis, Dalit, minorities - a huge section of prisoners, what do they face, you will see that, nevertheless, have Hope in life. Treated as completely inhumane. However they have Hope they will come out. I learned from them there.
Writing poems and letters, writing many things also gave me hope.
I passed And moments of melancholy, especially during the period of pandemic. Were the two Very prolonged periods of Locke Daho in prison. Imagine how is a Locke Down in prison, where everything and All life is already in Locke Down. Those days, the Letters and all kinds of communication stopped. They stopped the Newspapers and books.
After From some time, only five-minute phone conversations were allowed. Only to let me know if I contracted coronavirus or not, or if the Members of my family got stuck. How many died, how many will die? How many are alive – only this kind of information could be has been in such a short conversation.
THE melancholy was imprinted on one of my poems that I wrote for Hundreds of thousands of workers who had to go on foot from Cities in their villages due to the announcement of sudden LOC enforcement Down. There were no means of transport available and they had to walk Hundreds of kilometers and many died on the way.
When my wife told me this news over the phone, it was a very hard hit. I couldn't sleep.
Near A detainee taught me by phone that his mother died from Coronovirus. A few days later, he learned that his father died of Coronovirus. After a few days, his brother died. Stayed at Prison alone.
These were some of the most depressing moments.
Some Other developments that occurred in the outside world - news for Lunnies I was disturbed. Before I am imprisoned, I did not often hear about Lunnies and mobs of mobs for no reason. I had read In the American story of black people's lunches and before These, local Indians. But this kind of public lynching In India, I didn't have it so much. This also caused me melancholy.
Who do you blame for your inconvenience? What kind of accountability would you like to see?
Look, When the state operates without the same respecting the laws and There is some intention to help the powerful, this is the case. She At the moment, I do not blame any individual person. It does not mean that There are no individuals responsible for this illegal, Made of a case that was intended to imprison people for a long time. I'm not the only victim in history. I am also a victim, however, over From this, this is a political affair.
Therefore, At some point, from the story, one will know who is responsible for this kind of imprisonment, injustices and barbaric attacks in human rights.
What kind of reforms do you think are needed in criminal justice and prison system?
This It's a big issue that wants hours to answer. I can say only one thing: first, laws do not apply as they have been written to apply. Many laws are not in agreement with the Constitution. They are unconstitutional, especially the Draconian laws. When you do something Such, the laws are turning against democracy and the Constitution.
Is Naive to say that the law is abused. They themselves Laws abuse the Constitution, therefore, by showing as responsible the police officer or the politician, we lose the important. The whole system works in this way.
They create Laws in such a way that one can only abuse them. Cannot be used otherwise. The whole system must change. What kind of laws do we have and why is the Constitution? When Do you pass laws against constitutional provisions? All this must change.
Translation by English parapoda . For more about the prosecution of Saipaba, the popular movements and the People's War in India, see p. here and here .