Remembering K Balagopal

by Dr. Anand Teltumbde (via email)

It was a rude shock to learn about the demise of our dearest friend Dr. K. Balagopal, a legendary civil rights activist and an exemplary human being. I have been travelling here in the USA on a lecture tour from October 1st and was about to start my speech at MIT, Cambridge at that moment. For a few minutes, I did not know what to say. I then dedicated my speech to his memory and carried on.

I knew Balagopal since 1980s and admired him for his sharp intellect and deep commitment to human rights. Not many in the movement knew that he was a brilliant mathematician and could have easily shone himself in the galaxy of great mathematicians of the country. However, he easily gave it up and threw himself into the movement to expose the spate of human rights violations by the state to crush the then CPI (ML) PWG movement. He rather studied law in order to equip himself to fight cases of human rights violations more effectively.

Most times he acted as a one-man army against the state and rushed to the spot of such a state crime by whatever means. We used to be always worried for his safety for he could be individually marked to be most responsible for causing embarrassment to the state in its diabolic mission. Many a time, he did face such moments of danger but nothing deterred him from his resolve.

Balagopal wrote prolifically. It is unusual for mathematicians to write the prose of his kind. His polemical writings in EPW and elsewhere were a treat to readers irrespective of their predisposition. They never failed to impel them to rethink their position. In most fact finding missions he took upon himself the responsibility of writing reports but abided by the democratic process in taking everybody�s consent to the draft before their release. His reports carried a distinct imprint of his incisive intellect, deep dedication and always reflected the critical balance of judgement, and therefore could never be ignored by even the hardcore minions of the state or the right wing reactionaries. They constitute in my view a standing repertoire of learning for anyone who aspires to work for the human rights movement.

KB moreover had always shown courage of conviction at any time and stood his ground in face of overwhelming opposition of his own comrades. While his separation from APCLC and differences on the issue of violence by the Maoists disturbed many civil rights activists in the country, they could not dent his stature or diminish the respect for him in their minds. Balagopal occupies that space in the history of civil rights movement which will always command respect from humanity.

I have been fortunate to work with him through many meetings and some fact findings the latest of which was in respect of the attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka. The last time I had an opportunity to spend time with him was in Warangal where I was invited by him to a seminar to mark 10th anniversary of the foundation of Human Rights Forum. I would always cherish these memories.

I pay my most respectful homage to the memory of this great friend and comrade and wish HRF continues with his work with renewed dedication.

Dr. Anand Teltumbde
CPDR, Mumbai
Camp: Chicago