He Who defied Death- a tribute to the life and times of Professor Saibaba’ is a testimony that the state did not incarcerate Saibaba just to supress his actions, but to isolate him from the buoyant world of struggle-Harsh Thakor
‘He Who defied Death- a tribute to the life and times of Professor Saibaba’, comprises a series of tributes to late Professor Saibaba. In this book the reflections on Saibaba’ s martyrdom has come from a broad range of democratic quarters or and individuals of our society
They verify that Saibaba remains an everlasting icon of people’s resistance and an essential chapter of not only the ongoing struggles against imperialist forces but the Indian Revolution as a whole
The chapters testify that Saibaba even after his death, will inspire future generations until imperialism and feudalism is completely extinguished. They are a testimony to Saibaba’s dedication to give birth to an alternative social economic order which is human, equal and just, professing unwavering faith in the toiling people. They reflect that the state did not incarcerate Saibaba just to supress his actions, but to isolate him from the buoyant world of struggle that was erupting amidst considerable tones of adversity.
The main theme or common ground unravelled here is his rural background, his mother’s anxiety and polio attack crippling his body, his relentless quest for education, his resilient dedication for revolutionary change, the movements he steered and, the boundless courage of his endeavours, decade of his deteriorating health and incarceration and the neo-fascist character of the state.
This work will turn into milestone of historical importance, and will turn into a source of inspiration for future generations and not only shape the currents social and political happenings. Overall, the book is manifestation of how lives are shaped by history and their contributions to creating history. It illustrates how memories of some figures live as beacons of the era they lived.
Summary of various writers
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His work since 1990, movements he planned, unified struggles he organised and his crystallisation into major leader was elaborated by K.Ravi .Chander ,co-convenor of Forum against Repression in Telengana..He traced and dissected Saibaba’s endeavours right from the birth of his political voyage. He highlighted Saibaba’s childhood and education, formative political years in Hyderabad university in the 1990’s, Sai’ s role in shaping All India Peoples Resistance Forum and Revolutionary Democratic Front, leading Joint action Committee for Democratic Rights in Andhra Pradesh to protect rights of prisoners, integrating with mess workers to voice injustice meted on them in the Central Institute of English and Foreign languages, International Seminar on Nationality Question, Separated Telengana movement,, Warangal declaration to achieve Telangana statehood, creation of Anti Imperialist front to defeat liberalisation and globalisation, which terminated in the formation of Mumbai Resistance in 2004, campaign for release of political prisoners ,Ranchi declaration proclaiming struggle against displacement, resistance against Operation Green Hunt ,Step to target and supress Saibaba ,banning RDF, campaign against Urban Naxals, poems from jail , and why he was one of India’s most persecuted prisoners since 1947.
Most fittingly Ravi Chander reflected that Saibaba was multifaced personality, being a poet, academic, intellectual, activist, strategist, and skilled organiser. He characterised him as an evergreen warrior unhindered by physical boundaries, constituting an important chapter of the Indian Revolution.
Expressing a similar format to Ravi Chander is N Venugopal, poet and editor of Telegu monthly Veekshanam , who navigated Sai’s achievements or contribution in greater detail. and made a more subjective appraisal He placed accent on Sai’s defence of the Mandal Commission, Telangana movement, Globalisation, and five aspects with which Sai championed resistance against injustice- Physical disabilities not being a limit to serve people, people being tested by history and circumstances, solidarity and resistance, commitment to cause of justice and endurance of the struggle for justice, which is unending. He reflected on Saibaba’s role in constructing grassroots’ organisations to combat the menace of globalisation and imperialism, and worked tirelessly with farmers group, coalitions and trade unions to sharpen the anti-globalisation struggle which took a new course in 2004. Venugopal also narrated Saibaba’s deep hearted love for Telangana, which had it’s roots in 1987, when he move to Hyderabad at the age of twenty.
Venugopal concluded that his role must be perceived not just in relation of economic policies and political activism, but as an integral part of the wider perspective or horizon of the historical and social dimensions of resistance to global imperialism. In his view Saibaba’s imprisonment symbolised his powerful impact in mobilising resistance against imperialism d globalisation for three decades.
Pani. leader of Virasam and a poet explored the revolutionary democratic content of Saibaba’s role and interlinked them with the political and socio-economic background of India. He explored Saibaba’s differentiation of bourgeois democracy with revolutionary democracy and projected an alternative democratic model of the Janatana Sarkar.He explained how Saibaba interpreted Greenhunt never in isolation from displacement as a whole and as a product of the corporate development model. Pani navigated the social and political journey of Saibaba, in light of combating the crises created by the ruling classes, and people seeking solutions. He explored Sai’s conceptualisation of the war against Adivasis as a wrap waged against all the country’s people, placing it in the broader orbit against the Indian ruling classes and foreign finance capital.
Pani gave a gripping account of the manner the state criminalised democratic activity, sabotaged Sai’s work, caged him within prison walls and staged an Indian model of counter insurgency. and finally, how the Adivasis rose up in rebellion.
Advocate Ehtamul Haque and journalist Syed Affan in joint obituary, provide a detailed narrative of Saibaba’s voyage, giving deep coverage to important events of his life. Intensely they unfolded his struggle combating the war on people from 2005 and role in anti-displacement struggle of Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan in 2007.In detail they diagnosed why Sai’s work turned into a nightmare or eyesore for the Indian state. They also gave an illustrative account of his humiliating experiences in prison and the hypocritical nature of his incarceration.
Dr Gorakaranda Ramadevuda, younger brother of Saibaba, sketched a historical account of his life, dissecting his journey from childhood to his education, to his job, political activities ,incarceration in arrest and punishment , jail life ,death and post-death period. With intensive detail he navigated Saibaba’s battle against globalisation, Hindutva fascism and separate Telangana, Saibaba’s experiences in jail and the nature and ebb and flow of court trial judgements, as well as brush with the authorities.
The writings of Kasim unfold the social roots of Brahmanical fascism that incarcerated a revolutionary democrat like Sai. Pani lucidly portrays the political context.
BS Raju projected Sai as ‘a brain with wheels. He elaborated his mastery in mobilising people and the extent to which he broadened the scope of hs work even after moving to Delhi.
Sai’s daughter Manjeera recollected how her father wished to establish a university viable to Adivasi students, and started teaching the alphabet to tribals in jail, enabling them to write exams and secure degrees. She narrated how he converted his disability and detention in Anda cell into a weapon to trigger people’s resistance.
Telegu noveslist Nalluri Rukmini wrote about how wife Vasantha’s friendship was an unyielding pillar of support for Saibaba and meticulously described Vasanta’s support in every chapter of his life. She praised Sai’s profound understanding of literature in terms of capturing the pangs of the changing world. She also recounted unflinching support of mother and sister, to give him a proper education and championing spirit of compassion and selflessness.
Ramdev wrote about Sai morally never being handicapped and never entertained the notion of being one.
Sociologist Ashok Kumbamu in chapter “The Heart that never surrendered: A mother’s fight for G N Saibaba that never surrendered”: reflected with empathy, Sai’s mother’s shattered heart, similar to prisoner Bhavani in year 200.He described Sai’s mother’s heroism in standing resolute when her son was languishing behind prison bars.
Professor Karen Gabriel narrates his amazing endurance and unending legacy, recounting the traumas Sai faced in prison, being denied a wheelchair. She mentioned how Sai in physical way, understood better than most people, the importance of collective strength and solidarity, because of his own physical state. She gives a most sensitive and intensive account of how the body is canvas for individual expression or a site of social meaning, elaborating how Sai’s life experiences, be it in poverty, the wheelchair in hospital or prison, enabled him to explore the possibilities of life which are restrained through corporeality.
Madhu Prasada recalled how people’s democratic rights were trampled upon and narrated his touching experiences with Vasantha.
Anand Teltumbde gave a gripping account of how Saibaba combated Operation Greenhunt and UAPA. and on the hearings of the Gadrcholi court trial.
Professor Haragopal dwelled on nature of the Indian state, nature of India’s prisons, nature of health systems, in context of Sai’s incarceration.
Novelist and poet Meena Kandaswamy portrayed Sai with a touch of romanticism, in light of the scenario engripping India. She dealt with issues like abuse of human rights Sanatana Dharma, supressing Dalit academics, Mandal Commission, UAPA, and operation Kagar, praising Sai’s method of organising collectives.
In a short but heart gripping essay, Saroj Giri captured the essence of Sai, narrating how Sai’s life was not just a chronicle of his times but also what the times reused to chronicle. He expressed tat Saibaba was on the verge of discovering his inner poise in this world and his death was a perfect death for the courts, corporate capital and the ruling infrastructure.
CSR Prasada wrote about his human touch and selfless spirit.
Journalist K Sajaya wrote about how Sai so fearlessly taught Adivasis in jail. In an anda cell he enabled ten tribal prisoners to pass their graduation. He also gave a gripping account of how the state carried a cruel mockery of his disability in jail. He also narrated the report Saibaba gave on experiences in jail, describing the atrocious conditions he faced. and the manner his fellow prisoners took care of him.
Childhood friend KMMR Prasad traced Sai’s poetic voyage from a Kerosene lantern in the village og Amalapuram. which finally traversed cities, rivers, hills and prison walls turning him into an icon of a kind. He praised his commitment to upholding truth, in any circumstances. Prasad also wrote about his deep love for humanity at large and his deep love for Vasantha.He recounted how Sai’s love transcended personal ties embracing the poor and oppressed and many who worked alongside him.
Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist. Interacted with Late professor Saibaba during his lifetime .
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