Readers' Forum
“Marginalized Maoists”
Many thanks for regularly sending me issues of Parsiana. I particularly find the articles on our history and religion, like that of Prof Prods Oktor Skjaervo on the Gathas, most interesting and informative. Interestingly he said the Gathas are about "looking after the poor, separating what’s good and what is not. It’s about society and the rights of people, social justice, the distribution of property.” I, personally, find this very revealing and would completely identify with it.
But the purpose of this letter is Burjor Karanjia’s review of Hello, Bastar ("Marginalized Maoists,” Books, Parsiana, January 21, 2012). Though excellently written, some misconceptions may arise, as also with reports in the media a week later on a Supreme Court stay on bail in my Andhra Pradesh (AP) cases (without even hearing my version). I will explain how these are just two examples of how the media presents half truths to blacken my image. Of course, if I was a Kalmadi or Sukhram and robbed the exchequer of crores, not only would I have got laurels from the same media, I would even have been released on bail long since. But, because I stand on the side of the poor, the media makes me out to be a devil, and plants stories fed by the police to make sure I do not get out of jail, notwithstanding my age and numerous ailments, including a just discovered cardiac problem.
First, take the case of the January 28, 2012 newspaper report. The background is: It was the AP police who arrested me in Delhi. At that time they had no case against me, so they did not take me to AP. They took two months to make up some cases, before taking me there, on a "conspiracy” case in Karimnagar. The purpose of this case is questionable as they did not even file the charge sheet in the stipulated six months. But, they used this production to take one day’s police custody where I was kept comfortably in a police guest house, to watch television the whole day. The next day, when I was produced in court I was handed a "confession” statement; that too in Telugu, a language I am unable to understand or read. Though my signature was not on it and I had denied making it in the court, it is this "confession” that has been used to foist over 15 cases on me — many of a heinous character, as the one mentioned in the Press. Most of the cases I have never even heard of nor of the places in which they were supposed to have occurred. Such are the methods of the police/judicial system and the role of the media that abets it. At least the AP courts acted fairly in granting bail for a mere Rs 10,000 surety.
But how was this covered by the corporate media? Were not the half truths presented in a way to tarnish my image? But then, have we not seen similar methods adopted on anyone who dares oppose the powers-that-be?
Now, coming to the book under review, though sensitively written, there are some flaws in the portrayal — like the entire first chapter and making me into some kind of "leader.” When sent to me for writing the Foreword, I had pointed these out, but the author chose not to incorporate the corrections, nor even to ever speak to me though his office is not too far from the jail. Also, the Foreword was rehashed and put as an Afterword. Of course, there is no doubt, as Karanjia says, that this could be a good backgrounder for those keen on dialog. If the US can talk to the Taliban and release even those in Guantanamo and the Indian Government can talk to groups that are for secession, why cannot they talk to those who merely question the existing model of development?
Incidentally, it is now nearly two-and-a-half years that I have been in jail and the charges in the Delhi case are yet to be framed! A few months back two inmates in my ward were acquitted — but after spending 11 years in jail. Where is the justice in the judicial system, unless, of course, we are a Kalmadi? There are a vast number of Parsis within the judiciary; I hope they at least now begin to take note. After all, in this struggle for justice, are we with Ahura Mazda or Ahriman?
KOBAD GHANDY
Tihar Jail, New Delhi
But the purpose of this letter is Burjor Karanjia’s review of Hello, Bastar ("Marginalized Maoists,” Books, Parsiana, January 21, 2012). Though excellently written, some misconceptions may arise, as also with reports in the media a week later on a Supreme Court stay on bail in my Andhra Pradesh (AP) cases (without even hearing my version). I will explain how these are just two examples of how the media presents half truths to blacken my image. Of course, if I was a Kalmadi or Sukhram and robbed the exchequer of crores, not only would I have got laurels from the same media, I would even have been released on bail long since. But, because I stand on the side of the poor, the media makes me out to be a devil, and plants stories fed by the police to make sure I do not get out of jail, notwithstanding my age and numerous ailments, including a just discovered cardiac problem.
First, take the case of the January 28, 2012 newspaper report. The background is: It was the AP police who arrested me in Delhi. At that time they had no case against me, so they did not take me to AP. They took two months to make up some cases, before taking me there, on a "conspiracy” case in Karimnagar. The purpose of this case is questionable as they did not even file the charge sheet in the stipulated six months. But, they used this production to take one day’s police custody where I was kept comfortably in a police guest house, to watch television the whole day. The next day, when I was produced in court I was handed a "confession” statement; that too in Telugu, a language I am unable to understand or read. Though my signature was not on it and I had denied making it in the court, it is this "confession” that has been used to foist over 15 cases on me — many of a heinous character, as the one mentioned in the Press. Most of the cases I have never even heard of nor of the places in which they were supposed to have occurred. Such are the methods of the police/judicial system and the role of the media that abets it. At least the AP courts acted fairly in granting bail for a mere Rs 10,000 surety.
But how was this covered by the corporate media? Were not the half truths presented in a way to tarnish my image? But then, have we not seen similar methods adopted on anyone who dares oppose the powers-that-be?
Now, coming to the book under review, though sensitively written, there are some flaws in the portrayal — like the entire first chapter and making me into some kind of "leader.” When sent to me for writing the Foreword, I had pointed these out, but the author chose not to incorporate the corrections, nor even to ever speak to me though his office is not too far from the jail. Also, the Foreword was rehashed and put as an Afterword. Of course, there is no doubt, as Karanjia says, that this could be a good backgrounder for those keen on dialog. If the US can talk to the Taliban and release even those in Guantanamo and the Indian Government can talk to groups that are for secession, why cannot they talk to those who merely question the existing model of development?
Incidentally, it is now nearly two-and-a-half years that I have been in jail and the charges in the Delhi case are yet to be framed! A few months back two inmates in my ward were acquitted — but after spending 11 years in jail. Where is the justice in the judicial system, unless, of course, we are a Kalmadi? There are a vast number of Parsis within the judiciary; I hope they at least now begin to take note. After all, in this struggle for justice, are we with Ahura Mazda or Ahriman?
KOBAD GHANDY
Tihar Jail, New Delhi
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From the archive