Maoist Prof., who became immortal on October 7. Dr. A funeral ceremony was held for GN Saibaba at his residence in Hyderabad today. Human rights defenders, colleagues and fellow strugglers attended the funeral.

Saibaba was arrested in 2014 for his links with the Communist Party of India (Maoist). In 2017, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Saibaba was tortured many times during his captivity. Even though he was 90 percent disabled, his wheelchair was confiscated. Saibaba went on a hunger strike against the attacks. In March 2024, Saibaba was acquitted of the trial and released from Nagpur Jail. Saibaba's health problems continued due to the poor living conditions and severe torture in prison. On October 7, he had a heart attack as a result of post-operative complications and died. On October 14, a funeral ceremony was held at his home in Hyderabad, Telengana state, India.

STUDENTS HELD A MEMORIAL IN NEW DELHI

A commemoration program was organized for Saibaba by student organizations at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Many people from different parts of the country attended the commemoration. Commemoration by Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, Professor Nandita, Prof. Ajay Gudavarthy and Prof. N Sachin attended.

The commemoration program started with the slogans "Freedom for Political Prisoners" and "Long Live the Revolution". Students also hung Saibaba's photographs in the area where the commemoration program will be held. In the commemoration program, the severe torture Saibaba experienced during his captivity was described. Saibaba's struggle and his work for Dalit tribes were explained. It was stated that Saibaba's ideas will be kept alive.

Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty spoke at the memorial program: “We tried hard to save him. However, it was not successful. The government killed him. This is no ordinary death. It is time to repeal the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act). "Many people's lives are being ruined because of this." Mohanty said that Saibaba has a combative tradition and that this should be carried forward.

“SAI'S SMILE WAS INSPIRING TO STRUGGLE”

Hemant Mishra, who was in jail along with Saibaba, also attended the commemoration programme. Recalling his 10-year history of struggle, he said, “Sai's smile inspired all of us to struggle. “He was tortured so much in prison that he did not survive long after he was released.” he said. Recalling his prison days, Hemant said that they had to go on a hunger strike in prison for our demands. Hemant said, “We had to go on a hunger strike in prison for our demands. The situation was so bad that Saibaba did not even have the means to bathe, even though he was disabled. That's why he couldn't go to the bathroom for two days. We went on a hunger strike in prison, after which he was given a wheelchair for bathing. While he was in prison, his body stopped functioning 90 percent of the time. He had a stone in his stomach. His kidneys were also damaged and he eventually suffered a heart attack after surgery. He was killed by the government. But we will carry his struggle forward.”

“SAİBABA LAL SALAM”

Human rights defenders, Saibaba's family and political leaders gathered at the Martyrs' Memorial in Gun Park near the Telangana Assembly on Monday morning, October 14. GN came together for Saibaba.

Saibaba's family members, human rights defenders and leaders of political parties wanted to keep Saibaba's grave in the monument for a while. The police tried to prevent it by not allowing it. The ambulance carrying Saibaba's body was not even allowed to stop around the monument for 15 minutes. The crowd who came together for the commemoration reacted to the police. The reacting crowd shouted slogans such as "Long Live Saibaba", "Lal Salam" and "Long Live the Revolution".

Later, Saibaba's body was carried to his home and a memorial ceremony was held there. Saibaba's family members decided to donate Saibaba's body to Gandhi Medical College.