Hyderabad — Gokarkonda Naga Saibaba, widely known as GN Saibaba and a former professor at Delhi University, passed away on October 12, 2023, following complications after gallbladder surgery. He was 57 years old. Saibaba had been undergoing treatment at the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Hyderabad for the past ten days, where he was admitted due to his deteriorating health. He underwent gallbladder surgery just days before his death.
Reports indicate that he suffered a heart attack around 8 PM on Saturday night, and despite efforts to stabilize his condition, he breathed his last at 8:30 PM. Saibaba, a prominent figure in academia, was known not only for his teachings but also for his controversial past. In May 2014, he was arrested along with several colleagues on allegations of having links with the Maoist insurgency in India. Authorities accused him of being a key figure in the Naxalite movement, which led to his conviction by a sessions court in Gadchiroli, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
However, Saibaba's legal battle did not end there. His conviction was challenged in the Bombay High Court, which ultimately acquitted him of all charges, citing insufficient evidence and procedural shortcomings in the original trial. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court found that the allegations against him did not hold up under scrutiny. Born in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, Saibaba's life was marked by a fierce commitment to his beliefs and the advocacy of marginalized communities.
His passing has sparked reactions from various quarters, with colleagues and students expressing their condolences and reflecting on his contributions to education and social justice. The academic community mourns the loss of a dedicated educator who faced both personal and professional trials throughout his life. Saibaba's legacy will be remembered not just for his academic pursuits but also for the complex political and social issues he navigated during his lifetime.