"We need ideas, patience, and hope"

Over the last few years, several human rights organisations have been demanding the release of former Delhi University professor Gokarakonda Naga (G N) Saibaba. On March 5, 2024, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba along with Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirki, Vijay Tirki, Prashant Rahi, and Pandu Narote.

- G N Saibaba

Five of them, inlcuding Saibaba, had been sentenced to life for alleged Maoist links. Saibaba was working on the issues of displacement of tribals when he was arrested on May 9, 2014. In April 2016, the Supreme Court granted him bail, but on March 7, 2017, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court of Gadhchiroli following allegations of waging war against the State. He spent seven years in prison following the verdict. Previously, he had spent two years in prison from May 2014 to April 2016 during his trial.

The Bombay High Court had acquitted him on October 14, 2022, but the Supreme Court suspended the acquittal the very next day. After the recent acquittal, the Supreme court dismissed the State government’s plea to stay the acquittal.

Vikram Raj spoke to G N Saibaba. Excerpts from the interview

What were the circumstances when you were arrested for the first time?

Between 2010 and 2013, many of us from Delhi and all over the world were together raising our voices against the assault on the rights of indigenous people, the Adivasis. At that time, large mining projects were signed with companies, and villages were emptied and burnt down in forest areas. There were multiple attacks on the Adivasis, basically to clear the grounds for mining and hand over the lands and forests to corporate houses.