Hyderabad, Oct.14 (NSS): Several prominent persons of the State today paid tributes to noted civil rights activist Professor Sai Baba. CPI leader Narayana and several other Left leaders paid tributes at the mortal remains of Sai Baba at martyrs memorial at gun park in the city.
A large number of fans of Sai Baba gathered to pay their last tributes. They raised slogans like “Comrade Saibaba Amar rahe Lal Salaam” and “Inquilab Zindabad”. Although the family members and fans of Sai Baba have demanded authorities allow them to hold a five -minute condolence meeting at the Gunpark, the police refused permission. Sai Baba’s body was kept in an ambulance, but permission was not granted. This led to an argument between Sai Baba’s supporters and the police. Sai Baba’s body was taken to his residence in Moulali later.
Speaking to media persons on the occasion, CPI leader Narayana said intellectuals were those who read society and not books and added that Sai Baba was such a person. He recalled that Sai Baba was unjustly detained in jail for 10 years. Narayana said he would write a letter to the Supreme Court judge to find out who the culprit was.
Narayana alleged that the death of Sai Baba was not a natural death, but a murder by the government. He said although Sai Baba was dead, his principles would remain alive.
Sai Baba was great man who fought for change and rights.
Former minister and BRS party MLA Harish Rao and MLC Kodandaram also paid their last respects to Sai Baba. Speaking on the occasion, Harish Rao said it was sad that Sai Baba died shortly after coming out of jail. He termed the late professor as a great man who fought for his rights. He said it was sad that illegal cases were being filed against those who fight for their rights.
Kodandaram alleged that the Centre had acted in a repressive manner against Sai Baba. He demanded that the Centre be held responsible for his death. He said Sai Baba fought for the implementation of the basic principles of the Indian Constitution. Kodandaram recalled that all the democrats had protested against his detention.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao also paid his tributes to Prof. Sai Baba’s mortal remains at Moulali in Hyderabad. He consoled the family members of Sai Baba. During the paying of homage to Sai Baba’s body, some people raised slogans against KTR like ‘Go Back KTR’. “What did the BRS do when Sai Baba was in jail for 10 years,” they asked.
Although KTR immediately left the place, the slogans of the protestors continued. According to the BRS party sources, Congress leader Mainampalli Hanumantha Rao’s supporters raised slogans of ‘Go Back KTR’ and not the civil rights leaders.
