Man in the News - Dr. Binayak Sen, Human Rights Activist

Human Rights activist Binayak Sen, who has been in the jail since May 14, 2007 for alleged links with the Naxalites, is in the news again. the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and 22 Nobel laureates from across the world, have demanded his release on humanitarian ground. They urged the Indian government to allow Dr. Binayak Sen to allow him to travel to the United States to receive the Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights.

Dr. Sen is a pediatrician by profession. He had been trying to promote a low cost health plan in rural areas of Chhatisgarh. Dr. Sen was a staunch critic of Salwa Judum movement and always criticized the state government for going tough against Maoists. He was later arrested on charges of waging a war against the state, conspiracy, sedition and assisting Maoists.

A large number of people across the globe are planning to resort to peaceful protest on May 14, 2008 to mark the first anniversary of his arrest. The protest has been planned in ten North American and three European cities. The government seems to be unmoved over the latest development, as currently, at least 13 states in the country are facing the Maoist menace. Any sympathetic attitude to the Maoists or Naxalites may not go well with majority of people.