Despite his flaws, GN Saibaba's legacy as a fighter for justice 'to remain intact'

By Harsh Thakor*

Professor G.N. Saibaba’s passing is an immense loss to the Indian democratic movement. He was one of the most courageous and intellectually sharp voices against the proto-fascism that he himself fell victim to. My encounters with him remain etched in my heart, as he carved a permanent niche among the crusaders for the emancipation of mankind. Saibaba represented the criminalization and terror faced by those who champion the cause of the oppressed. Though his body has perished, his spirit lives on in the hearts of the marginalized across India, whether in forests, plains, or cities, where the flames of resistance continue to flicker against corporate-backed fascism.

Saibaba, aged 57, passed away due to post-operative complications following surgery for gallbladder stones. He had been receiving treatment at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, where he was admitted after suffering ill health. His passing was not just a medical tragedy but a consequence of the inhumane treatment he endured in prison. Despite being acquitted by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court after nearly a decade of imprisonment, his health had deteriorated significantly due to the conditions he faced behind bars, a violation of basic human rights.

A lifelong crusader, Saibaba was not just a professor of English literature at Delhi University but a tireless advocate for the marginalized. He fought for the rights of tribals, Dalits, Muslims, and Kashmiri people, opposing corporate land grabs and Operation Green Hunt, which displaced millions. He stood against the death penalty for Afzal Guru and was a staunch supporter of the self-determination of Kashmir. His relentless advocacy extended to students' struggles against privatization and fee hikes, as well as the annihilation of caste oppression, which he saw as inseparable from class struggle.

Saibaba’s theoretical contributions were equally profound. Though he may not have openly declared an affiliation, he was one of the most logical defenders of the CPI (Maoist) and its 2004 formation, tracing its roots back to the Naxalbari uprising. He was an intellectual giant, analyzing India's semi-feudal structure and highlighting the unique forms that fascism would take in India, distinct from its classical manifestations in Europe. His editorship of People’s Resistance and leadership roles in the All India People's Resistance Forum (AIPRF) and Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) cemented his position as a pivotal figure in India’s leftist movement.

In prison, Saibaba remained resilient, writing poems that reflected his inner transformation and revolutionary spirit. Despite the unbearable conditions, his spirit never broke. The global resistance movements that rallied for his release, from London to Paris, are a testament to his influence.

However, Saibaba was not without flaws. He struggled to address issues of democratic functioning within the RDF and other mass organizations, often failing to overcome sectarianism and broaden the movement’s scope. Nonetheless, his legacy as a fighter for justice remains intact.

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*Freelance journalist who had the opportunity to meet Professor Saibaba numerous times between 2012 and 2015 in Delhi

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