Sun Oct 13 16:05:02 UTC 2024: ## Remembering Professor G N Saibaba: A Scholar, Activist, and Friend

**New Delhi:** The death of Professor G N Saibaba, a renowned scholar and activist, has sent shockwaves through the Indian intellectual and activist circles. Known affectionately as “Sai” to his friends, Professor Saibaba was a fierce advocate for tribal rights and a vocal critic of the state’s response to the Maoist movement. His passing has sparked renewed calls for justice for those unjustly imprisoned in the name of national security.

Journalist and author, Rahul Pandita, in a poignant tribute to Professor Saibaba, recounts his personal relationship with the activist, which deepened during the tumultuous period when the Maoist movement gained national attention. Pandita describes his time spent with Professor Saibaba, listening to his insights on the movement, and discussing the plight of Adivasi communities caught in the crossfire.

He also highlights the impact Professor Saibaba had on his own understanding of the Maoist insurgency, facilitating his travels to the Maoist heartland and introducing him to a network of individuals deeply involved in the movement. This experience, fueled by Professor Saibaba’s unwavering commitment to social justice, shaped Pandita’s own understanding of the complexities of the conflict and the human cost of political violence.

Pandita also sheds light on Professor Saibaba’s own ordeal, his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, and the impact this had on his health and well-being. The author argues that Professor Saibaba’s death was directly linked to the harsh conditions he endured in prison before being acquitted of all charges.

In conclusion, Pandita calls for a reevaluation of the judiciary’s role in ensuring justice and calls for the release of other individuals like Surendra Gadling and Umar Khalid, who remain incarcerated despite facing similar injustices. He urges readers to remember Professor Saibaba not just as a scholar and activist, but as a friend, a mentor, and a tireless advocate for the marginalized.

**The article also briefly mentions the premiere of Alfonso Cuarón’s limited series, Disclaimer, starring Cate Blanchett. This is a separate piece of news, not directly related to Professor Saibaba’s life and legacy.**

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