Teachers to stage hunger strike for jailed colleague

On May 9 last year, GN Saibaba, a Delhi University professor, was arrested from his residence for suspected Maoist links. He is now lodged at the Nagpur jail. He has been denied bail by the courts and his health is also deteriorating.

Saibaba, a wheelchair-bound professor, taught English at Ram Lal Anand College. He is 90% disabled with both lower limbs paralysed after polio since he was five-years-old. He also suffers from cardiac ailments. Since he has been in prison, he has suffered dislocation of the spinal chord and gradual paralysis of the left hand.

Organised by the Committee for the Defence and Release of GN Saibaba, activists, DU teachers along with others will sit on a day-long hunger strike at the arts faculty in north campus.

Saibaba, was the deputy secretary of the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF). Charges against Saibaba range from ‘waging war against the state’ to petty theft.

Following the arrest, Delhi University also suspended Saibaba from the college and the varsity had also sent an eviction order to vacate the quarters. However, Saibaba’s wife appealed to the court and there was a stay against the eviction. The court will next hear the matter in July.

Even before his arrest, the police had searched his house and confiscated pen drives and reading material. His house was searched after activist Prashant Rahi was arrested by the Gadchiroli police. Saibaba was held following the arrest of JNU student Hem Mishra for suspected Maoist links.

“The courts have denied him bail, even when there is no risk of him going untraceable. The law suggests that a person with disabilities should not be arrested and may be asked to face trial without being put in prison. But the courts so far have turned a blind eye towards this,” wrote the committee in their blog.

GN SAIBABA Teachers to protest on May 9 to mark one year of Saibaba’s arrest

NEW DELHI: Teachers from Delhi University and other varsities will sit on a day-long hunger strike on May 9, demanding the immediate release of GN Saibaba.

HT FILE PHOTOS Saibaba (below) was arrested for his alleged links with Maoists. Teachers, activists are demanding his release.On May 9 last year, GN Saibaba, a Delhi University professor, was arrested from his residence for suspected Maoist links. He is now lodged at the Nagpur jail. He has been denied bail by the courts and his health is also deteriorating.

Saibaba, a wheelchair-bound professor, taught English at Ram Lal Anand College. He is 90% disabled with both lower limbs paralysed after polio since he was five-years-old. He also suffers from cardiac ailments. Since he has been in prison, he has suffered dislocation of the spinal chord and gradual paralysis of the left hand.

Organised by the Committee for the Defence and Release of GN Saibaba, activists, DU teachers along with others will sit on a day-long hunger strike at the arts faculty in north campus.

Saibaba, was the deputy secretary of the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF). Charges against Saibabarange from ‘waging war against the state’ to petty theft.

Following the arrest, Delhi University also suspended Saibaba from the college and the varsity had also sent an eviction order to vacate the quarters. However, Saibaba’s wife appealed to the court and there was a stay against the eviction. The court will next hear the matter in July.

Even before his arrest, the police had searched his house and confiscated pen drives and reading material. His house was searched after activist Prashant Rahi was arrested by the Gadchiroli police. Saibaba was held following the arrest of JNU student Hem Mishra for suspected Maoist links.
“The courts have denied him bail, even when there is no risk of him going untraceable. The law suggests that a person with disabilities should not be arrested and may be asked to face trial without being put in prison. But the courts so far have turned a blind eye towards this,” wrote the committee in their blog.

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