Despite his shortcomings, GN Saibaba’s legacy as a fighter for justice remains ‘intact’

By Harsh Thakor*

The passing away of Professor GN Saibaba is a huge loss for the Indian democratic movement. He was one of the most courageous and intellectually sharp voices against the proto-fascism of which he himself fell victim. My encounters with him remain etched in my heart, as he carved out a lasting place among the crusaders for the emancipation of humanity. Saibaba represented the criminalization and terror faced by those who champion the cause of the oppressed. Though his body has decayed, his spirit lives on in the hearts of the marginalized across India, be it in forests, plains or cities, where the flames of resistance continue to flicker against corporate-backed fascism.

A lifelong crusader, Saibaba was not only a professor of English literature at the University of Delhi, but a tireless advocate for the marginalized. He fought for the rights of tribals, Dalits, Muslims and Kashmiri people, opposing corporate land grabs and Operation Green Hunt, which displaced millions of people. He opposed the death penalty for Afzal Guru and was a staunch supporter of Kashmir’s self-determination. His relentless advocacy extended to students’ struggle against privatization and fee hikes, as well as the destruction of caste oppression, which he believed was inextricably linked to the class struggle.

Saibaba’s theoretical contributions were equally profound. While he may not have openly declared his links, he was one of the most logical defenders of the CPI (Maoist) and its formation in 2004, whose roots traced back to the Naxalbari insurgency. He was an intellectual giant, who analyzed the semi-feudal structure of India and highlighted the unique forms that fascism would take in India, different from its classical manifestations in Europe. His editorship of People’s Resistance and leadership roles in the All India People’s Resistance Forum (AIPRF) and the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) cemented his position as a pivotal figure in India’s left movement.

In prison, Saibaba remained resilient and wrote poems that reflected his inner transformation and revolutionary spirit. Despite the unbearable circumstances, his spirit never broke. The global resistance movements that rallied for his release, from London to Paris, are a testament to his influence.

However, Saibaba was not without flaws. He struggled to address issues of democratic functioning within the RDF and other mass organizations, often failing to overcome sectarianism and broaden the movement’s reach. Nevertheless, his legacy as a fighter for justice remains intact.

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*Freelance journalist who had the opportunity to meet Professor Saibaba several times in Delhi between 2012 and 2015