Credits: Drawing by Arun Ferreira / The Polis Project
The New Indian Express / by Kaleeswaram Raj
Asaram Bapu’s access to a full-time caregiver in jail highlights the stark disparities in India’s prison system, where many inmates struggle for medical care, dignity and even basic necessities
… Swamy’s and Saibaba’s predicaments are often cited, but many others have suffered in prison. In a 2024 paper, Bhavya Dore and Sukhada Tatke exposed the incredibly inhuman treatment, including denial of medical care, extended to political prisoners booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, going beyond the Swamy-Saibaba tragedies. It says the prison authorities denied even a mosquito net to people accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, including Anand Teltumbde, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha and Sagar Gorkhe. Law teacher and activist Sudha Baradwaj and English teacher Shoma Sen were lodged along the Phansi yard in Yerwada jail, says the paper. Read more
Modi’s ‘Dimagi Naxal’ Remark Is an Attempt to Frame the Next Wave of Youth Dissent as Anti-National
22/08/2026
The Wire / by Anand Teltumbde
A government that has just witnessed a leaderless, meme-driven youth movement force it to yield has an obvious institutional incentive to narrow the boundaries of legitimate protest – and to have the vocabulary for doing so ready in advance.
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The phrase “dimagi Naxal” echoes the politically charged label “urban Naxal,” a term Modi and leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have used for years for activists, academics and other critics of the government. It became the operative logic behind the 2018 Bhima Koregaon arrests, in which poets, lawyers, professors and human-rights defenders were arrested under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on the theory that they had a link to a banned Maoist conspiracy.
One of these 16 arrestees, Father Stan Swamy, 84 years old and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, died in judicial custody in 2021 without ever being convicted and Surendra Gadling, a human rights lawyer from Nagpur is still in jail in his ninth year. Read more
A Speech Sans Substance!
22/08/2026
Peoples Democracy / by M A Baby
On March 31, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that India has become free from Naxalism. In his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed its return.
Quite a few things happened in the intervening four months. But three developments stand out – the wave of workers’ protests that briefly spread across the northern part of the country in April and May; the historic student-youth movement that forced the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan; and the Bankipur bye-election, which resulted in a mammoth defeat for the BJP in a seat it had dominated for over three decades and had only recently been vacated by its National President. These developments have no doubt forced the BJP onto the back foot.
Modi invoking the threat of “dimagi naxals” in his address must be seen in this context. A rattled leader bereft of ideas tends to fall back on rhetoric and tactics that have proven useful in the past. The “dimagi Naxal” jibe is thus a revival of the “tukde-tukde gang”, “urban Naxal”, “andolan jeevi” and similar labels used earlier. Read more
From ‘Tukde-Tukde Gang’ to ‘Dimagi Naxals’: When Labels Replace Answers
20/08/2026
Counterview.net / by Mohd Ziyaullah Khan
How the politics of insulting dissenters evolved — and why India’s Gen Z may be less willing to accept it. There is something revealing about the political vocabulary of the Narendra Modi era
When students protested, they were called the “Tukde-Tukde Gang.” When intellectuals, activists and academics challenged the government, some were branded “Urban Naxals.” Writers and artists who returned state awards became the “Award Wapsi Gang.” Farmers protesting the government’s policies were described using terms such as “Khalistanis,” “Maoists” and “anti-national.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also coined “Andolanjeevi” for people he portrayed as professional protesters.
Now comes another expression: “Dimagi Naxals” — ideological or intellectual Naxals. Read more
Prime Minister’s ‘Dimagi Naxal’ Formulation Echoes the British Playbook Against Dissent
19/08/2026
The Leaflet / by S.N. Sahu
By branding dissenters as “Dimagi Naxals,” the Prime Minister revives the same colonial logic once used to silence Gandhi and threatens the constitutional freedoms India’s youth are fighting to defend.
Prime Minister Modi in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of 80th Independence Day stated that his government has succeeded in eliminating the armed Naxals in the jungles., While doing so he warned about “Dimagi Naxals” (intellectual Naxals) waiting for opportunities to unleash violence, unrest and create turmoil in society. And so, he underlined the necessity of identifying and isolating them. Read more
‘Dimagi Naxal’: When Mind Becomes Site of Suspicion
17/08/2026
NewsClick / by Shirin Akhter
After 79 years of Independence, a democracy should not be asking its citizens to fear the independent mind.
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Naxalism has a specific political history. Its name derives from the 1967 uprising in Naxalbari in West Bengal and the Maoist political movements that subsequently emerged. For decades, the Naxalite was associated primarily with armed revolutionary politics.
Then came the term, “Urban Naxal”.
The expression acquired wider political currency particularly around 2018, when activists, lawyers and intellectuals were arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. The political category began travelling beyond those accused of participation in armed insurgency. Read more
Opposition says PM Modi’s ‘dimagi Naxals’ remark shows he is ‘rattled’
16/08/2026
Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff
Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing his opponents as “dimagi Naxals”, or persons with “Naxal mentality”, was a “sure sign of his desperation”, said the Congress on Saturday.
“It is a separate matter that he ends up doing whatever these so-called ‘urban Naxals’ or now ‘dimaagi Naxals’ are demanding or advocating,” said party leader Jairam Ramesh.
The term “urban Naxals” was first used by Union ministers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party after several activists and academics were arrested in the Elgar Parishad case in 2018. Since then, the term has often been used to describe some dissidents of the Narendra Modi government. Read more
After 3 Supreme Court Judges Recuse, Surendra Gadling Requests CJI Kant To List Bail Plea In Surajgarh Arson Case
27/07/2026
Law Beat / by Aishwarya Iyer
Last week, the Supreme Court said the matter would be listed before a different combination after noting that Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was unable to hear the case.
The Supreme Court today heard a mentioning made on behalf of Surendra Gadling concerning listing of his bail plea in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal told a CJI Surya Kant led bench, “Another judge has recused..it may be listed..”. Read more
Surendra Gadling Bail Plea: Kapil Sibal Asks Supreme Court To List Matter Before Another Bench After Third Judge’s Recusal
27/07/2026
Live Law / by Gursimran Kaur Bakshi
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal on Monday requested the Supreme Court to assign lawyer-activist Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case to a different bench, after Justice Shree Chandrashekhar recently recused from hearing the matter. Read more
3rd SC judge recuses himself from hearing lawyer Surendra Gadling’s bail plea
21/07/2026
Hindustan Times / by Abraham Thomas
Supreme Court judge Shree Chandrashekhar on Tuesday recused himself from hearing lawyer Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in a 2016 arson case, becoming the third judge to do so in the case over the past year.
Justice PK Mishra announced the recusal when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought an adjournment before the matter came up for hearing before a bench comprising him and Justice Chandrashekhar. Justice Mishra said the matter had to be adjourned anyway, as Justice Chandrashekhar conveyed his inability to hear it. “This will have to go before another bench as my brother [Justice Chandrashekhar] has some difficulty.” Read more
Third Supreme Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case
21/07/2026
Live Law / by Gursimran Kaur Bakshi
The Supreme Court today (July 21) ordered that the bail plea of lawyer-activist Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case should be heard by a bench not comprising Justice Shree Chandrashekhar.
The matter was listed before a bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar. At the outset, an advocate on behalf of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (for the National Investigation Agency) sought a passover, while Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for the petitioner. However, Justice Mishra said the matter will go before another coordinate bench since Justice Chandrashekhar has some difficulty. Read more
Justice Shree Chandrashekhar recuses from hearing bail plea of Bhima Koregaon accused Surendra Gadling
21/07/2026
The Hindu / by The Hindu Bureau
This marks the third recusal by a Supreme Court judge from hearing activist Mr. Gadling’s bail plea without assigning any reason; the bail plea arises from the 2016 Surjagarh arson case; Mr. Gadling has been in Taloja Central Prison since June 2018 following his arrest in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case
Supreme Court judge Justice Shree Chandrashekhar on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) recused himself from hearing a bail petition filed by advocate and activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case. It is the third such recusal by a Supreme Court judge in the past year, with no reasons assigned on any of the occasions. Read more
SC to hear Surendra Gadling’s bail plea next week in Elgar Parishad case
17/07/2026
National Herald / by NH Digital
Advocate has spent over seven years in jail; court agrees to urgent hearing after counsel cites repeated delays
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear next week the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, an accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, after his counsel highlighted his prolonged incarceration and repeated delays in the proceedings. Read more
SC to hear Surendra Gadling bail plea in Elgar Parishad case next week after delays
17/07/2026
India Today / by India Today News Desk
The Supreme Court will hear advocate Surendra Gadling’s bail plea next week in the Elgar Parishad case. The listing revives a long-pending matter after repeated adjournments and years of incarceration.
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear next week the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, an accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana gave the assurance after senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an urgent listing, saying Gadling had been in jail for seven-and-a-half years. Read more
NIA making malicious and false allegations to delay trial: Sudha Bhardwaj
11.07.2026
Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha
Bharadwaj told a special court that the agency’s allegations that a gathering on January 19 at the Mumbai Press Club was convened to propagate the ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist) and further the “Urban Naxal” movement were “wholly false and malicious” and “no documents or evidence of any kind supporting these” had been supplied to her by the NIA.
Activist-lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case, on Friday opposed the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea seeking cancellation of her bail. Read more
Mere communication with co-accused can’t warrant bail cancellation, court told
11.07.2026
The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak
The agency claims that they have violated a bail condition, by communicating with each other. The court will hear arguments by the lawyers of the other two accused, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, whose bails are sought to be cancelled by the NIA on July 20.
In the Elgaar Parishad case, lawyer activist Sudha Bharadwaj told a special court on Friday that mere communication between co-accused cannot be a ground to cancel bail. The court was hearing arguments on the National Investigation Agency’s plea seeking cancellation of bail to Bharadwaj and three other accused, over a meeting at the Mumbai Press Club in January. Read more
Update by Bar & Bench (Jul 15):
Bombay High Court gave NIA one week’s time to respond to Mahesh Raut’s plea seeking leave to go to Kerala for a medical treatment.
The court indicated it would pass an order permitting the Bhima Koregaon accused to travel for about 9 days with conditions like reporting to the local police station after three days, subject to NIA’s reply.
Mahesh Raut moves Bombay High Court for permission to travel to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment
07/07/2026
Bar & Bench / by Bar & Bench
The Bhima Koregaon accused has sought permission to visit Kerala’s Ayurvedasram for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Mahesh Raut, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case of 2018, has moved the Bombay High Court after a special court rejected his plea to travel to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment in January 2026. [Mahesh Raut v. NIA & Ors.] Read more
Accused Mahesh Raut Moves Bombay High Court Seeking Permission To Travel To Kerala For Treatment
07/07/2026
Live Law / by Narsi Benwal
One of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case, Mahesh Raut has moved a plea before the Bombay High Court seeking permission to travel to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment after a special NIA court turned down his plea for the same in January this year.
Raut has challenged the January 21, 2026 order of a special NIA court in the city, which had rejected his plea to travel to Poonthottam Ayurvedasram in Kerala from January 29 to February 7. He had sought to travel to the Ayurvedic Ashram for treating his rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. He had urged the court to relax the condition in his bail order, which mandated him not to leave Mumbai. Read more
Charge of Maoist link in Press Club meet ‘mere assumption’ – Varavara Rao opposes NIA bail repeal plea
07/07/2026
The Print / by Mayank Kumar
Seeking cancellation of bail to Elgar Parishad accused, NIA alleges that January meeting at Mumbai Press Club was intended to discuss ways to spread the ‘Urban Naxal’ movement.
Poet-activist Varavara Rao has opposed the National Investigation Agency’s plea to cancel his bail in the 2018 Elgar Parishad case, saying he was merely an invitee to a Mumbai Press Club dinner and was unaware that other co-accused had also been invited, countering the NIA’s argument that they had violated bail conditions. Read more
Poet-activist Varavara Rao has opposed the NIA’s plea seeking cancellation of his bail in the Elgar Parishad case, denying he knowingly met co-accused at a Mumbai Press Club event. Rao said there is no evidence of communication with co-accused or Maoist propaganda, asserting the meeting focused on prisoners’ issues and legal matters. The NIA court will hear arguments on July 10. Read more
3 accused oppose NIA’s plea to cancel their bail for attending press club event
03/07/2026
Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha
Poet-activist Varavara Rao, activist Vernon Gonsalves and activist-lawyer Arun Ferreira filed separate replies before Special Judge Chakor S Baviskar, opposing the NIA’s applications seeking cancellation of their bail. The court took the replies on record and adjourned the matter to July 10 for hearing
Three accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case on Thursday opposed the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea seeking cancellation of their bail. They told a special court that they were unaware they had been invited together to a January event at the Mumbai Press Club, that they had merely attended it as invitees, and that bail could not be cancelled lightly in the absence of any deliberate or substantial breach of its conditions. Read more
NIA records statement of 6 over Mumbai Press Club meet cited in Elgaar bail plea
02/07/2026
The Indian Express / by Express News Service
The agency has argued that the accused violated bail conditions prohibiting them from establishing communication with co-accused or persons allegedly involved in similar activities by attending the gathering together.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recorded the statements of six persons, including three journalists expelled from the Mumbai Press Club and three office-bearers of the club, as part of its probe into the January 19 gathering at the club that has become central to its bid to cancel the bail of several accused in the Elgaar Parishad case. Read more
The submissions recommend that prison records must identify every person with disability individually to make reasonable adjustments for them, while respecting their confidentiality.
A Kerala-based activist, whose petition highlighting the traumatic prison days of the late Professor G.N. Saibaba and Stan Swamy led the Supreme Court to form a high-powered committee to free Indian jails from the colonial yoke, suggested bringing in a mechanism to allow disabled prisoners/detainees to self-identify and declare their disabilities. Read more
Credits: Drawing by Arun Ferreira / The Polis Project
The ‘Natural Death’ Problem in Indian Jails
26/06/2026
The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha
When prisoners die after allegedly being denied timely medical care, are those deaths truly natural? And is it fair that the very people who are accused of not providing timely medical care get to decide this?
… According to the latest NCRB data (for the year 2024), 1,960 persons died in Indian jails. Of these, 1,737 deaths were attributed to “natural causes”. When reading these figures, one must keep in mind cases like those of Basha and Khadar. Unless a judicial magistrate diligently inquires into their deaths, they too will be categorised as ‘natural deaths’ in upcoming NCRB reports. Read more
Our Criminal Justice System Overlooks Victims of Police Torture
26/06/2026
The Wire / by Edgar Kaiser and Grace Anu
The Global Torture Index 2025 classifies India as a country with “high risk” of torture and ill treatment, and the signed UN Convention Against Torture is yet to be ratified.
Today, June 26 is observed as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Particularly for human rights defenders, targeted reprisal killed the lives of Fr. Stan Swamy in Bhima Koregaon (BK-16), due to refusal of medical treatment, and Prof. Saibaba, a 90% disabled activist had to face the same fate as his health started deteriorating when he was confined to an ‘anda cell’. These figures are just the tip of the iceberg of a staggering number of survivors and victim families who are systemically denied medical, psychological and social assistance. Read more
In a case arising from a death in a State-run mental health facility, a bench led by Justice Manish Pitale has laid down that compensation for custodial deaths must follow a logical, statutory formula and that the State’s existing policy of paying a fixed sum is woefully inadequate.
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In our prisons, we lose around two thousand lives annually. Deaths to due to various ailments and importantly due to lack of medical staff, including assault by co-prisoners and even due to torture of police is not new. Once a person is sent in judicial custody, it becomes the duty of the State to ensure that the person is provided with all such facilities as would require him to retain the same health he was in prior to his admission.
In the case of Varavara Rao, the Court had held that prison is not conducive to deteriorating health of the octogenarian and granted him bail. However, Father Stan Swamy in the same case, who was suffering from Parkinson’s died in custody, allegedly due to lethargic medical attention. Read more
