Dr. Binayak Sen is the first South Asian to receive the prestigious Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights. Dr. Sen was recognized for his work in the remotest areas of Chhattisgarh. A story like this should have seen the Indian government and media celebrating, but alas the good doctor is currently behind bars. His crime - serving the underprivileged and questioning the state government’s failings in the areas of health and human rights! With his help, in 1981, mine workers opened Shaheed Hospital in Durg. CMC Vellore Medical College, Dr. Sen’s alma mater, recognized his lifetime service to the poor in 2004 with the Paul Harrison award, and has campaigned vigorously for his release.
“No Country for Good Men?” as Tehelka put it, is the immediate question that comes to mind, when we think of the man who dedicated 25 years of his life to serve the most remote areas of India, arrested under false and baseless charges of alleged links to Naxalites. This begs the question – Why is the Indian government afraid of this good doctor? From Kerala to Assam, a growing number of social activists have been arrested without trial or bail in the last year. We are left wondering if we are under a silent emergency.
On May 13-14, marking 1 year of Dr. Sen’s detention, AID with Friends of South Asia, Amnesty International and other concerned groups around the world held vigils, screened films, and met medical professionals. 22 Nobel Laureates wrote to India’s Prime Minister appealing for Dr. Sen’s release. Hundreds of people faxed petitions to the Governments of India and of Chhattisgarh, and protested at Indian Embassies in Washington DC and San Francisco. Similar actions took place in London, Paris, Toronto, Stockholm & Kosovo. See aidindia.org for reports, updates and how you can help.
Somu Kumar, an analyst in Virginia, serves on the Executive Board of AID to remind volunteers that “Your Voice and Action Count.”
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