On Saturday, former Assistant Professor G N Saibaba passed away at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad after undergoing treatment for post-operative complications. Saibaba, who hailed from Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, was a teacher at Delhi University but was terminated in 2014. He was arrested for alleged Maoist links and was granted bail in 2016, only to receive a life sentence under the UAPA in 2017. However, in a turn of events, he was acquitted in 2022 and again in 2024.
The Life and Struggle of GN Saibaba
GN Saibaba, a former Assistant Professor at Delhi University, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the age of 55. He was known for his activism and alleged links to the Maoist movement.
Background
Saibaba was born in Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, on September 11, 1968. He completed his Master's degree in English from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and later received a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In 2000, he joined Delhi University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English.
Arrest and Legal Battles
In 2014, Saibaba was arrested for alleged Maoist links and was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He was accused of being a member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Saibaba, who was wheelchair-bound due to a spinal cord injury, denied the charges. He claimed that he was targeted for his activism and work with marginalized communities. In 2016, he was granted bail on medical grounds.
However, in 2017, he was convicted by a Sessions Court in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He filed an appeal against the conviction, which was rejected by the Bombay High Court in 2020.
In March 2022, the Supreme Court acquitted Saibaba in the Maoist links case. The Court held that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the charges against him. However, the government filed a review petition against the acquittal, which was later dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2024.
Activism and Legacy
Saibaba was a vocal critic of the Indian government's policies towards marginalized communities and alleged human rights violations. He supported the rights of Dalits, Adivasis, and other oppressed groups.
Despite his physical challenges, Saibaba continued to write and speak out against injustice. His writings and activism inspired many people and made him a symbol of resistance.
FAQs
1. What was GN Saibaba accused of? He was accused of being a member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and engaging in activities to support the movement.
2. Why was he acquitted in 2022? The Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the charges against him.
3. Did the government challenge the acquittal? Yes, the government filed a review petition against the acquittal, but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2024.
4. What was Saibaba's disability? He was wheelchair-bound due to a spinal cord injury suffered during his childhood.
5. What was Saibaba's legacy? He was known for his activism, support for marginalized communities, and his unwavering commitment to justice. He became a symbol of resistance and inspiration for many people.
On Engineers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a pioneering figure in India's engineering history. In a message on this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude and admiration for Sir M. Visvesvaraya's groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for India's modern engineering landscape. He also applauded the current generation of engineers for their creativity and determination in continuing to drive innovation and tackle challenges, highlighting their crucial role in building a developed India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur, his first since the outbreak of violence in 2023, aims to bring peace and progress to the state. He inaugurated various developmental projects and assured support from the government for ensuring peace and stability in the state. However, the Congress has criticized the visit, calling it "shockingly insensitive." PM Modi also emphasized the strong bond between India and Nepal.
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has called for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai, citing it as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also accused Indian cricket board chief Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of forcing the Indian team to play in the match despite their reluctance. Meanwhile, Sena workers have staged protests and even broken a TV set to show their disapproval of the match.
Veteran ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy falls for fake news about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, falsely accusing the suspect as a right-wing extremist. However, it was later revealed that the killer was actually influenced by left-wing ideology, causing Cassidy to issue a public apology for his mistake.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of Hindi as a "friend" rather than a competitor to other regional languages during his keynote address at the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. Shah traced the roots of Hindi's acceptance in Gujarat and highlighted how it has coexisted with Gujarati, providing children with a wider reach at the national level. This fifth edition of the conference held outside Delhi showcases the government's efforts to strengthen communication between Hindi and regional languages.
After the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the state and addressed separate gatherings in Churachandpur and Imphal. In his speeches, he emphasized peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and valley, infrastructure, and welfare. He also announced a special package and funds for rehabilitation of over 60,000 people displaced by the conflict, showcasing the central government's commitment towards rebuilding lives in Manipur. With this visit, Modi aimed to ease tensions and promote unity in the polarized state, urging for collective will in bringing back normalcy and fostering development.
On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah shared greetings and urged the people of the country to take a pledge to preserve and enrich all Indian languages, including Hindi. They emphasized that language is a living heritage of identity and culture, and the growing respect of Hindi on the world stage is a matter of pride. They also highlighted the role of Indian languages in carrying forward India's culture, knowledge, and traditions through generations.
CM Yogi of Uttar Pradesh has been actively engaging with the public through the 'Samarth Uttar Pradesh - Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047' campaign, with visits to all 75 districts and the gathering of over 1.5 lakh feedback entries so far. The top feedback entries have highlighted education as the biggest issue among the public, with over 50,000 suggestions related to education. Other areas of concern include urban and rural development, health, social welfare, and agriculture.
Amid massive anti-government protests and a constitutional crisis in Nepal, top sources reveal that former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be announced as the interim Prime Minister. This decision comes after days of political turmoil and unrest, with President Ramchandra Paudel pushing for a solution within the constitutional framework. Army troops continue to patrol sensitive areas while representatives of the youth-led 'Gen Z' hold talks with military officials to finalize the transitional government.
The political world was rocked by tragedy as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college. President Trump expressed his shock and sadness over the loss of his close ally, and offered his condolences to Kirk's wife Erika, who is said to be devastated by the news. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and the killer is still at large, the President has announced plans to award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.