Radical Desi held an emergency rally for Prof. GN Saibaba on the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Surrey. 

Saibaba, who is ninety percent disabled below the waist, is incarcerated in an Indian jail for standing up for the oppressed communities, especially indigenous peoples whose lands are being taken away by the extraction industry with the backing of the Indian state. He was given a life sentence early this year after being framed as a supporter of Maoist insurgents. 

Wheelchair bound Saibaba  used to teach at Delhi University, and has been instrumental in organizing political actions against the repression of indigenous communities.

The participants at the rally unanimously demanded his release on compassionate grounds. Those who spoke at the rally included Human Rights advocate Amandeep Singh, who had drafted a petition asking for the intervention of the Canadian government into the matter. The petition launched by Radical Desi was signed by more than 1,000 people and presented to two MPs. 

Gian Singh Gill, the spokesperson of Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, also addressed the rally. He had encouraged the gurdwara congregation to sign the petition during the annual Vaisakhi parade.

Others in attendance were Ranjit Singh Khalsa of Banda Singh Bahadar Society, Canadian Pressure Group leader Goldie Deol, Marxist activists Navtej Johal and Hardev Singh, besides Radical Desi cofounders Parshottam Dosanjh and Gurpreet Singh.