Cultural leaders express solidarity with Maoist leader Roopesh for publishing his book

Cultural leaders have appealed to authorities to take a favourable decision regarding the request of jailed Maoist leader Roopesh to publish his new novel.

The vice-president of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Ashokan Charuvil, and theatre artist and activist K.V. Ganesh have made an appeal via social media in support of Roopesh.

Roopesh, who has been on a hunger strike in jail demanding publication of his book, is currently hospitalised and continuing hunger strike there. In a Facebook post, Mr. Charuvil stressed that if Central government regulations are obstructing the approval, jail authorities and the State government should at least communicate that clearly to the applicant.

He wrote that in a country governed by a Constitution upholding high values, Roopesh has the right to seek justice through the legal system. Mr. Charuvil also attached the cover image of Roopesh’s earlier novel Vasanthathile Poomarangal (The Flowering Trees of Spring) along with his note. The novel was written and published during Roopesh’s prison term.

“Roopesh has been serving a prison sentence for over a decade. He actively participates in cultural programmes at the jail, working closely with jail authorities. I have read his earlier work Vasanthathile Poomarangal,“ Mr. Charuvil said. He noted that several significant works in literary history were written in prison, and modern democratic societies must regard prisons as places where individuals are given a chance for reformation.

“If a person is ready to write a novel, it means he is attempting to embrace humanity and democracy,” Mr. Charuvil stated in his post, which has sparked broad discussions, received numerous comments, and been widely shared.

Joining the call, Mr. Ganesh also took to Facebook demanding the government allow the publication of Roopesh’s novel. In a strongly-worded post, he wrote: “If our nation’s governance is so fragile that it crumbles from the publication of a book, then it probably should crumble.”

Mr. Ganesh, who referred to Roopesh as comrade, expressed solidarity with him and with the larger cause of creative freedom. He also shared an illustration prepared by Roopesh and fellow inmates for the Tiruth Film Festival held inside Viyyur Jail in March, along with the caption: “Darkness is only a guest of the night; dawn is on its way.”

Roopesh went on a hunger strike after prison authorities denied permission to publish his book Banditharude Ormakurippukal (Memoirs of Prisoners). He was admitted to Thrissur Medical College Hospital when his condition deteriorated.

Roopesh, who continues his hunger strike at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital, was recently diagnosed with jaundice, further raising concerns among supporters about his health and the urgency of a government decision.

Published - May 29, 2025 09:05 pm IST