‘All this for a Novel’

Over the past week a vigorous social media campaign has been going on in Keralam. Malayalee media, both print and visual, have given good coverage. The issue–permission to publish a novel. All that for a novel? Well, the novel isn’t about usual novelistic matters and the author too isn’t the usual literary figure. He is a Maoist, a convict, in jail for 10 years. And the novel, ‘Ormakurippukal Bandhitharude’ (Memoirs of the Incarcerated) is about that–the seen and unseen meshes of incarceration in the country. The jail authorities have refused him permission to get it published since it references the jail system among others. For one thing jails in India are living hells, designed originally by the British and later updated by successive Indian governments, to dehumanise the prisoners in the most barbaric way.

Roopesh TR, the author, has been in jail since 2015, when he was arrested and charged under the notorious UAPA. 42 more cases, all UAPA, were foisted on him. He has been acquitted in one, convicted in another, discharged in 13, trials going on in several, while the rest are pending.

Roopesh has been using his time quite fruitfully. Reading, learning, writing, fighting his own cases and assisting fellow prisoners in their legal appeals, all the while fully engaged in prison social life to the extent allowed. Above all, he has stood firm in his convictions. 

Evidently, this is the real reason for blocking publication of his novel. It is a state decision made at the higher level. Because the law laid down repeatedly by the Supreme Court is quite clear on this matter. Prisoners have the right to publish their writings.

The ongoing social media campaign has made this its focal point. Roopesh’s one day hunger strike in Viyyur Central Prison gave it added force. A wide cross section of literary figures and social activists came forward to demand permission for publication. An even greater number are signing up on a petition to the Chief Minister.

This is happening in Keralam, presently ruled by a front led by the CPM. Ironic indeed! Moreover, a telling sign of the present times. At the time of writing, the CPM’s State Conference is going on. It will be discussing their Central Committee’s resolution, pondering over nuances of fascism. Perhaps a whiff of fresh air would do the delegates well. A whiff bringing them fragrances of struggle, of Roopesh, of the striking Asha workers, and memories of past struggles and sacrifices betrayed. It would help them situate the fascisisation taking place around the society in a broad frame, broader than that of one or the other ruling class party.

That, in fact, is the crux of this struggle to exercise a prisoner’s right to publish jail writings. It was gained through a prolonged, harsh struggle spread out over generations, all over the world. The state, whether administered by the BJP or the CPM or any other party, wants to end it. Just as it is ending or whittling down various other democratic rights. Roopesh’s struggle is part of the broad array of struggles taking place all over the country in defence of democratic rights. With popular support for Roopesh growing among broad masses the authorities are now trying to shift him to the high-security prison. As Roopesh’s sentence will end at the end of next month, what could be the reason that prompted the CPM-led government to transfer him? Maybe they want to block his writing and reading facilities, or it may be yet another conspiracy to file new cases against him.

[Contributed by K Murali]

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Frontier
Vol 57, No. 39, March 23 - 29, 2025