In support of Dr. Binayak Sen

I hate Maoists sympathizers but I strongly support Dr. Binayak Sen who has been unfairly – grossly - sentenced to life imprisonment by the Chhattisgarh District court for alleged “sedition”.

Because, if we simply take a look at his life as a physician and as a human rights activist, then we get a clear portrait of him as being an intellectual man of impeccable integrity with life devoted to the welfare of underprivileged and poor people; his territory of work being rural-tribal Maoist infested areas of Chhattisgarh. Dr. Binayak Sen has been deeply involved with healthcare reforms however in his role as a human rights activist he has strongly criticized government’s atrocities and human rights abuses in the name of its fight against terror. Nevertheless, he has always been a strong proponent of peaceful means of protest and has always condemned Maoists’ violent ways.

Therefore, to think of Dr. Binayak Sen as a “seditionist” is preposterous.

Because, even by the “legal” and “dictionary” definitions of “sedition”, Dr. Binayak Sen has never made a speech or had his behaviour – subversive act - directed against the peace of a state or has committed an offence to undermine the authority of the State or has acted to incite public disorder or revolt. Thus, how can he be labeled as a seditionist and prosecuted under the “law” on baseless charges? (Archaic laws need to be amended immediately in India for ensuring speedy trials and fair justice.)

The State prosecutor’s version is curious enough: Dr. Sen had acted as a “courier” between the Maoists and its sympathizers and the State had “produced” the said letter as an evidence to substantiate its claims; the State claims to have found the letter in Dr. Sen’s belongings upon arrest. Of course, Dr. Sen vehemently denies these charges and accuses the State machinery of having “planted” the said letter on him. Frankly, I fully believe in Dr. Sen’s account.

We all know how government apparatus work in various areas in India and how “easy” it is to frame charges against anybody – absolutely anyone, for that matter – without even a single piece of evidence as proof. We all have knowledge of numerous instances of evidences being “planted” against targeted persons with an ulterior motive to “punish”.

If George W. Bush – ‘W’ could be for ‘war’ as his middle name – were an Indian President/Prime minister, he would have got the WMDs “planted” in Saddam Hussain’s backyard and would have “proved” to the world that the Iraqi president was indeed engaged in employing weapons of mass destruction and was therefore a massive threat to global security! …

Since Dr. Sen’s arrest in 2007 there has been enormous national and international outrage and outcry which have of course fell on deaf ears of the “motivated” judiciary and the “meek” Indian establishment. He has been kept in illegal confinement – solitary often – and now most unreasonably has been awarded life imprisonment for no crime committed.

Unfortunately we live in a country where seasoned scamsters – political heavyweights – having guzzled and gobbled billions - are roaming free in India - in spite of intense Media and public pressure - but the State is putting all its might behind “punishing” a human rights activist and a devoted doctor whose only ‘fault’ has been to have opposed oppressive methods of the government in its fight against terror.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that enraged public and Media’s response will force the Indian judiciary and the government to act justly and release Dr. Binayak Sen from illegal incarceration. (Arnab, please debate Dr. Sen’s case on your News Hour.)

Dr. Binayak Sen, hope to see you out of prison soon. Happy belated Birthday J

The Mahatma and The Maoists

Every time I see the mindless massacres being unleashed upon innocents by the Maoists, I always wonder what Mahatma Gandhi would have said about the series of senseless slaughters? How would he have dealt with these dreaded criminals who, though shamelessly claim to be engaged into “People’s War”, are actually the biggest advertisement for the adage, “if one had such friends, one wouldn’t need an enemy!”

I think we know the answer to this question all too very well.

Gandhiji would have preached and practiced the philosophy of “Ahimsa” and “Satyagraha” with Maoists as well and would have effectively encouraged them to renounce violence completely. I am sure the Mahatma would have held the same degree of influence against the illusory ideologies of the Maoists as he had had over the English’s concept – rather the lack of it – of India’s independence.

Gandhiji would have made the Maoists look deeply into their dangerous practices of crime and country’s destabilization and would have told then bluntly: “Whatever may be your understanding of the Maoism, whatever may be your so-called reason for taking up armed struggle against the State – and its people – you can never “justify the means” to your “end” which is so-called “social structuring”.

I am sure Gandhiji would have simply marched in his trademark attire and with his trademark attitude into the bastion – heartland – of the Maoists and would have won their hearts and minds! And, saying NO to the Mahatma would have been a monumental task even for these heartless Maoists!

Of course, the Mahatma would have taken the tribals along with and would have first weaned them out of the influence of the Maoists. I am sure those underprivileged people would have understood being grossly manipulated by the militant Maoists and would have vehemently protested by wholeheartedly participating in an uprising against them – following the principles of Ahimsa and Satyagraha, of course.

Simultaneously, Gandhiji would have successfully made the Indian State to implement comprehensive developmental policies and plans in the troubled tribal areas and, thus, would have ensured that the so-called “People’s War” being waged by the militant Maoists was rendered irrelevant.

And, in his endeavor, the Mahatma would have resorted to hunger strikes if he deemed necessary!

Equally important, Gandhiji would have severely opposed the Pseudo Display of Affection (PDA) for the Maoists by their so-called “sympathizers”. Because, this brazen PDA is in effect highly skewed and nauseating and it once again reiterates the fact that these Maoists “sympathizers” are hugely myopic in their outlook.

Finally, the Mahatma would have said to the Maoists: follow the philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha and join the mainstream. This way you will be able to serve the downtrodden people – your people – in reality. Work alongside the government. You have the power; use it – non-violently – to force the government to build basic infrastructure – roads, schools, hospitals, telephones, electricity etc. – in the tribal areas and let them have equal opportunities to develop their skills and lead a better life. This way you – the Maoists – will actually be respected as true leaders.

Therefore, what do you have to say, dear Maoists? Follow Gandhigiri or do Dadagiri? Dadagiri will ultimately lead to your anonymous and much-awaited death in the hands of the State’s para/military forces, whereas, Gandhigiri will ultimately lead to your celebrated status in the society as leaders – people’s people – and your death will see you being honoured by the State’s para/military guns!

Choice is yours.