Exclusive Interview of Pijush Guha

Posted by newskolkata in All, Cover Story, Exclusive, Kolkata, National | 4 comments

You were arrested on 2007, what exactly was happened?

It was 1^st may, 2007. I was at Raipur, Chhattisgarh for my business purpose. I had to return on the next day but my ticket was not confirmed. So I went to Raipur railway station and eventually got arrested from there.  The policemen covered my face and took me away and produce me at the court on 6^th may.

What were the exact allegations against you? How Binayak Sen was involved with the case?

You see, Binayak Sen and I were convicted to be sympathetic towards Maoists as per the police case, also we were convicted for helping them. Another suspect for the case, Mr. Narayan Sanyal, was then at jail custody. He has released from the charge recently as per the court verdict about that case. Binayak Sen visited him as a doctor and human right activist. Police says that during the visit Mr. Sanyal gave a letter to Mr. Sen who eventually handed it to me for delivering it to the Maoists. Since the whole matter is still under jurisdiction I would not make any comment. Still I must say that there were  at least 50 – 60 contradiction in the police statement which I also had mentioned in a note sent to my lawyear. Regarding my arrest, I said to the court that I was arrested on 1^st may but produced to the court on 6^th. During that five days i was physically and mentally tortured several times. I also produced the reservation ticket for 2^nd may in support of my statement. Police said that iwas arrested on 5^th but there also a number of contradiction between the arrest memo and written statement and verbal speech of Different I.O.      

Were you and MR. Sen put together in jail?

During the trial at lower court Mr. Sanyal and I were put in seperete cell and Mr. Sen was put in jail ward. We used to meet Mr. Sen at case dates. Later, after the lower court verdict we all were put together in a high security cell.

Were you treated as political prisoners?

No, even the persons who are sympathetic towards Maoists are not treated as political prisoners  according  to Chattisgarh government rule.

What was the reaction after getting conditional bail by the Supreme Court verdict?

According to the Supreme Court there is no second example of getting bail so quick after being sentenced for life imprisonment. Still it was done as per merit of the case. Actually there was a sensation of protest around the world after the verdict of lower court. The European commission as well as our countrymen protested it. The Supreme Court gave respect to the public opinion by giving us bail. Honourable Judge Mr. Singvi said thet what is the definition of sedition and who are to be called seditious? During the British Empire many people were incarcerated for sedition, they are now greeted as patriot. So a seditious person today may be called a patriot tomorrow. Even if the letters were found to be collected from Pijush Guha, is it justified to convict him for sedition for that reason?

When you were arrested then the left front was at government and now it is the allied government under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. What do you think about the change?

I think there are a number of reasons behind it. Negative voting was a big factor. Common people wanted to see an end of the 34 years long ruling of the left front. Few days ago i came to know that the Salt Lake City was planned to build as a niche for the poor and lower middle class society and more densely populated than Kolkata. But during the rule of left front it became a luxurious area for the residence of economically higher class society. It was clear that the left front had deviated from their own point of view. On the other hand Ms. Banarjee had been fighting for common people since a long time. After the Singur matter a large number of public opinion went in her side.  Then eventually the movement at Nandigram and Lalgarh make her trustworthy towards common people.    

Still there are many problems. For example, the Maoist movement. There are so many promises but no solution yet.

You see, during my days behind the bars, I realised that there are a number of innocent people imprisoned as Maoists. There are a lot of sufferers, like me. We want peace. But it is also true that the territories occupied by Maoists were undeveloped so far, though it is a matter of doubt that whether there is any development after Maoist movement. An open discussion is really needed. The Maoists ask for an end of allied force expedition. The government, on the other hand, ask for ending mass killing before discussion. On 30^th September the Maoists declared an end for battle. But the allied force is still active.

Do you think that such violent movement by Maoists will be able to change the system? The government has such enormous power.

It’s a difficult matter. Probably the Maoists also admit it. But this is a counter violence. We have to find the source of violence, which originates from state, from government, from the system. If the violence is not stopped, the counter violence can never be stopped. On the other hand, the Maoists have to prove that their idealism of alternative system, the socialism is really possible and a better alternative.

But what about the human right organisations? Will they protest for both kind of violence? Together?  

I like to say again that the violence and counter violence run parallel, if we want to stop the counter violence we have to find the source of violence.

Any message for kolkatanews.net? 

You see, Internet is a strong medium now a day. You can reach a thousand people. Build up public opinion. You can tell about human rights more actively. No doubt your effort is worthy of praise. Best wishes for Kolkatanews.net