Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051654961000.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Set Binayak free

The editorial “Set Binayak free” (May 15) was timely and forthright. It reflects the opinion of a silent majority that cares for democratic values and the rule of law. It was heartening to see activists, students, doctors and nurses come out on the streets in large numbers to protest his indefensible detention. The Centre should intervene and set Dr. Sen free immediately.

Manohar Alembath,

Chennai

It is alarming to read that Binayak Sen, a humanitarian and compassionate doctor serving in the poorest, most neglected hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, has been under arrest for one year. This is a huge blot on our democracy. Incarceration of people on baseless charges of terrorist links makes one believe that the state is conspiring to deny freedom to an honest citizen. If this is the treatment meted out to a selfless doctor, a gold medallist from the prestigious Christian Medical College, who could have worked anywhere in the world but chose to work among the poorest communities in India, how will other doctors serve in the marginalised areas? Doctors see the suffering of humanity and have a truth to tell as well as wounds to heal. These may be the wounds of violence, neglect, hunger and exploitation. The remedy lies not only in medicine but also in human rights, and in equality before the law.

Aravinda Pillalamarri,

Mumbai

I fail to understand why it has taken a year to highlight Dr. Sen’s case. If rights activists and the media had highlighted his unjust arrest earlier, they could have prevented the arrest of Ajay T.G. under the draconian Chhattisgarh PSA. It is quite surprising to see the judiciary keeping quiet on the issue when there has been an international outcry for Dr. Sen’s release.

Dundi Ajay,

Bangalore