Not allowed to publish novel from jail; Maoist leader Roopesh goes on indefinite hunger strike

THRISSUR: Maoist leader Roopesh, who is lodged in Viyyur Central Jail, is on hunger strike to protest against not allowing him to publish his second novel. The novel titled "Bandhitharude Ormakurippukal" (Memoirs of Prisoners) is about the prison life of a poet-politician. He had completed the DTP of the manuscript of the 130-page novel and submitted a written application to the prison authorities a month ago. However, he was informed that permission could not be given as the novel contained references to the prison, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the court. The Viyyur Jail Superintendent replied that the application had been sent to the higher prison authorities. The manuscript had also been submitted to prominent writers. Roopesh has not eaten since Sunday morning.

Hunger strike begins on Rajan's Martyrdom Day

Roopesh chose to begin his indefinite hunger strike, which is the Martyrdom Day of Rajan, a student of Kozhikode Engineering College who was killed in police custody during the Emergency. Roopesh's first novel, 'Vasanthathin Poomaramangal,' written while in hiding in 2013, was a topic of discussion. There were 43 cases against Roopesh, who was arrested in 2015. Fourteen cases were dismissed. In one, his sentence will soon be over.

"I did not find anything terrible in the novel. The novel does not reveal any dangerous secret. Writing a novel is not an act of terrorism."

-K. Sachidanandan, President of Sahitya Akademi

"Roopesh's novel should be allowed to be published. Jail time should help guide the person to the path of civilisation."

-Asokan Charuvil

"It is shameful that in the 21st century, a political prisoner in a Kerala jail is not allowed to write and publish a novel."

-N.E. Sudheer