Prison authorities in Kerala allegedly stop prisoner from publishing novel

Mangaluru: Authorities at Viyyur Central Prison in Kerala allegedly refused permission to one of the inmates to publish his novel, penned while doing time in the jail.

Activist and writer Roopesh Kumar, who is currently serving a ten-year sentence alongside facing over two dozen pending cases, wrote his second novel, Bandhitarude Ormakurippukal (The Memoirs of a Captive) in Malayalam and found a willing publisher, The Wire reported.

Roopesh, charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, brought out his first book in 2013.

Viyyur Central Prison authorities disallowed him from publishing the book, despite Supreme Court’s rulings previously backed prison literature.

After completing the book, Roopesh requested in writing to prison officials for the permission to submit the manuscript to publisher.

Authorities verbally denied permission citing that the book has ‘sensitive details of his prison experience and commentary on the UAPA’.

While the book is reported to be not critical of the draconian UAPA law, it is not the first book to expand on prison life either.

Roopesh’s wife and lawyer, Shyna P.A, reportedly said they did not expect ‘high-handedness’ of the prison officials, and added that a writer reflecting on social environment in writing is common.

When the officials refused to relent, the couple started campaigning for the right to write while in custody.

Earlier this month Shyna, along with activists and writers, approached the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking permission.

‘His assurance gave us hope, and we waited for government action, but nothing has materialised,’ she was quoted as saying.

The report claims that it is not an isolated case where jailed persons in Kerala complaining about human rights violations.

In another instance, Allan Shuaib who is a law student from Kerala, wrote a piece detailing how rights are denied to the incarcerated in prisons in Kerala.

Shyna, who herself faced incarceration in the past, said that Roopesh, alongside writing, used time in prison to studies, thus securing master’s degree in history and is currently pursuing master’s in philosophy.

He completed courses in mobile repairing, computer hardware and baking.