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

Gujarat Information Commission issues warning against misinterpretation of RTI orders

By A Representative The Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has issued a press note clarifying that its orders limiting the number of Right to Information (RTI) applications for certain individuals apply only to those specific applicants. The GIC has warned that it will take disciplinary action against any public officials who misinterpret these orders to deny information to other citizens. The press note, signed by GIC Secretary Jaideep Dwivedi, states that the Right to Information Act, 2005, is a powerful tool for promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. However, the commission has observed that some applicants are misusing the act by filing an excessive number of applications, which disproportionately consumes the time and resources of Public Information Officers (PIOs), First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), and the commission itself. This misuse can cause delays for genuine applicants seeking justice. In response to this issue, and in acc...

Targeted eviction of Bengali-speaking Muslims across Assam districts alleged

By A Representative A delegation led by prominent academic and civil rights leader Sandeep Pandey visited three districts in Assam—Goalpara, Dhubri, and Lakhimpur—between 2 and 4 September 2025 to meet families affected by recent demolitions and evictions. The delegation reported widespread displacement of Bengali-speaking Muslim communities, many of whom possess valid citizenship documents including Aadhaar, voter ID, ration cards, PAN cards, and NRC certification.

'Govts must walk the talk on gender equality, right to health, human rights to deliver SDGs by 2030'

By A Representative With just 64 months left to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global health and rights advocates have called upon governments to honour their commitments on gender equality and the human right to health. Speaking ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), experts warned that rising anti-rights and anti-gender pushes are threatening hard-won progress on SDG-3 (health and wellbeing) and SDG-5 (gender equality).

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Is U.S. fast losing its financial and technological edge under Trump’s second tenure?

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The United States, along with its Western European allies, once promoted globalization as a democratic force that would deliver shared prosperity and balanced growth. That promise has unraveled. Globalization, instead of building an even world, has produced one defined by inequality, asymmetry of power, and new vulnerabilities. For decades, Washington successfully turned this system to its advantage. Today, however, under Trump’s second administration, America is attempting to exploit the weaknesses of others without acknowledging how exposed it has become itself.

Gandhiji quoted as saying his anti-untouchability view has little space for inter-dining with "lower" castes

By A Representative A senior activist close to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar has defended top Booker prize winning novelist Arundhati Roy’s controversial utterance on Gandhiji that “his doctrine of nonviolence was based on an acceptance of the most brutal social hierarchy the world has ever known, the caste system.” Surprised at the police seeking video footage and transcript of Roy’s Mahatma Ayyankali memorial lecture at the Kerala University on July 17, Nandini K Oza in a recent blog quotes from available sources to “prove” that Gandhiji indeed believed in “removal of untouchability within the caste system.”

'MGNREGA crisis deepening': NSM demands fair wages and end to digital exclusions

By A Representative The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha (NSM), a coalition of independent unions of MGNREGA workers, has warned that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is facing a “severe crisis” due to persistent neglect and restrictive measures imposed by the Union Government.

On Teachers’ Day, remembering Mother Teresa as the teacher of compassion

By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ It is Teachers’ Day once again! Significantly, the day also marks the Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta (still lovingly called Mother Teresa). In 2012, the United Nations, as a fitting tribute to her, declared this day the International Day of Charity. A day pregnant with meaning—one that we must celebrate as meaningfully as possible.

Gujarat minority rights group seeks suspension of Botad police officials for brutal assault on minor

By A Representative A human rights group, the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat, has written to the Director General of Police (DGP), Gandhinagar, demanding the immediate suspension and criminal action against police personnel of Botad police station for allegedly brutally assaulting a minor boy from the Muslim community.

Counterview

Search This Blog