Dr G.N. Saibaba was born into a peasant family in Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh. He was struck by polio in early childhood which left him paralysed in his lower limbs. Despite his disability, he obtained his MA in English from Hyderabad University and his PhD from Delhi University and became a professor of English at Ram Lal Anand College in New Delhi. A human rights activist since his student days, he was arrested in May 2014 for alleged links to the Maoist movement and lodged in Nagpur Jail before being sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2017. He was acquitted of all charges and released in March 2024, but died seven months later, on 12 October 2024.
This website is a tribute to Dr Saibaba’s life and work, and his boundless spirit that continues to inspire others to speak truth to power. The website is also a testimony to Saibaba’s commitment to knowledge production as emerging from peoples’ struggles, as well as an effort to make his legacy widely accessible worldwide. The site shares aspects of his personal life, activism and academic work, though all of these were intimately intertwined.
Forthcoming Events
GN Saibaba Memorial Event | Oct 11, 2026 | 20:30 IST
It has been two years since we lost Professor G.N. Saibaba. Acquitted of all charges and released after a decade in jail, G.N. Saibaba spent a mere seven months at home with family, friends, and comrades before medical complications resulting from the long custody took his life on the 12th of October, 2024.
At InSAF India, we want to hold on to G.N. Saibaba – the teacher, the revolutionary, and friend – by reflecting on his life and struggles and how to continue them in our own circumstances and situations.
We will mark October 11th, 2026 as G.N. Saibaba Memorial Day with an online discussion on lessons we learn from him. Join us for remembering the grave injustice perpetrated by the Indian state but also to understand his relevance to politics and academics. Nandita Narain, Karen Gabriel, and Vipanchika Bhagyanagar will join us as speakers for the event.
Register for the event using the QR code available on the poster. After the registration, a zoom link will be sent to you. Otherwise, use the link: https://tinyurl.com/gnsaibaba
Join us!
Annual Professor GN Saibaba Memorial Event
Join India Labour Solidarity to remember our beloved Professor GN Saibaba, a scholar, teacher and a revolutionary activist wrongly imprisoned for ten years (that ultimately costed his life) and never stopped speaking for the oppressed.
📅 Sunday 11 October, 11am to 4pm (doors 10:45am)
📍 Pelican House, 144 Cambridge Heath Road, London E1 5QJ
The day will include:
• Tributes from family and community
• A session on the imprisonment of advocate Surendra Gadling, plus campaign strategising
• A panel on political prisoners, disability and the denial of healthcare in prisons (Umer Khalid (Brize Norton 6), Vishal Singh (Lucknow Conspiracy case) and others)
Light lunch provided. South Asian zines from Zine Mela will be on display and books on Professor Saibaba and from peoples movements will be on sale. All are welcome.
