The forgotten of Bhima-Koregaon arrests: Ordeals of Dalit advocate Surendra Gadling and revolutionary poet Varavara Rao
Published on: 7 February 2019, 06:48 am
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
~ William Shakespeare, Henry VI
Dick the Butcher had quite an advice for Jake Cade, who wanted to establish his own rule. This advice rather seems to have been taken much seriously by the government of the day, for they are not sparing critics, activists, intellectuals who all fit within the defines of social lawyering.
For a while, Maharashtra Police has been making every effort to ensure prolonged incarceration of those who advocated the causes of the masses and the downtrodden. While the nation only knows Dr Anand Teltumbde's dramatic arrest and poetic temporary release, many are still unaware of Advocate Surendra Gadling and veteran poet Varavara Rao, being shackled with yet another fabricated case.
Late night of January 30, 2019. Inmates in barracks of Yerwada jail finished yet another liberty-less day of their precious lives. While many of them must have been thinking of their near and dear ones, Advocate Surendra Gadling was deep buried in reading the chargesheet of another Dalit inmate, who had spent over six years in the same jail awaiting outcome of his protracted trial.
On the strength of what Gadling advised and strategised there, at least nine co-inmates could come out of jail, which seemed impossible for everyone. Gadling has earned in that jail what he earns everywhere — hearts, respect and popularity.
That night, surprisingly a constable came rushing to Gadling, commanded him to get ready and follow him. Defiance resulted into pleadings, then requests. Abiding to the poor chap, Gadling put on his clothes, took one note book and followed him to the jailer's chamber, whereat he came to be handed over to Gadchiroli Police. Questions remained questions alone. There cannot be anything but submission behind the colonial bars, so Gadling followed it.
