Sat Oct 12 16:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Activist and Former Delhi University Professor Dr. Saibaba Passes Away After Years of Imprisonment
Hyderabad, October 12: Dr. Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba, a renowned activist and former Delhi University professor, passed away at the age of 58 on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest. The news of his passing came just seven months after he was acquitted in a case alleging links with Maoists, a case that saw him imprisoned for ten years under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Dr. Saibaba, who had permanent polio-paralysis, endured harsh treatment and torture during his incarceration. He spoke out about these abuses after his release, detailing how jail authorities even refused to provide him with his medication.
His acquittal in March this year came after the state failed to prove the charges against him, despite his arrest and the accusations of association with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). A passionate advocate for human rights and a vocal critic of state repression, Dr. Saibaba’s death leaves a significant gap in the fight for justice.
Dr. Saibaba, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, was known for his fierce support of Adivasi rights and his opposition to the arrests of activists like Stan Swamy. He was also a supporter of the Telangana statehood movement.
Since his release, Dr. Saibaba, who is also a poet, repeatedly referred to his survival as a “miracle,” describing his ordeal as a “trial by fire” that significantly impacted his health, particularly his time spent in solitary confinement.
He was a prominent figure in political campaigns, most notably his critique of Operation Greenhunt, a paramilitary offensive that targeted Adivasis in the ‘red corridor.’ He also had a collection of his prison poems and letters published titled “Why do you fear my way so much?”
Dr. Saibaba is survived by his wife Vasantha Kumari and their 26-year-old daughter Manjeera. His death serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against unjust imprisonment and the vital role Dr. Saibaba played in advocating for the rights of the marginalized.
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