BK-16 Prison Diaries: Ramesh Gaichor’s parents just want to meet him again before they die
To mark six years of the arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of political dissidents in the Bhima Koregaon case, The Polis Project is publishing a series of writings by the BK-16, and their families, friends and partners. (Read the introduction to the series here.) By describing various aspects of the past six years, the series offers a glimpse into the BK-16’s lives inside prison, as well as the struggles of their loved ones outside. Each piece in the series is complemented by Arun Ferreira’s striking and evocative artwork.
Since childhood, Ramesh liked helping people in need. He would play with the kids in the neighbourhood. He taught at a college and worked as a clerk at a local hospital. During his graduation, he helped his friends from Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune, to win a trophy in a one-act play competition. Later, the college gave him free admission to masters without charging any fees.
We worked hard to educate our three kids, including Ramesh. He was a very talented student. He participated in oratory competitions regularly, he loved singing, and he had a very good voice. He used to present songs about social reforms on occasions like the Ganesh Festival, and Shivjayanti. He would eat whatever I would cook, he wouldn’t demand any specific food.
We have not met Ramesh since he was arrested on 7 September 2020. We are waiting for his release from jail, at least on bail, so that we can meet, and talk to him. To meet him is our last wish. Even people who are convicted of murder get bail, but Ramesh has not done anything, and still he is not given bail.
Ramesh refused to become a prosecution witness
We don’t understand the connection between the Elgar Parishad and Koregaon Bhima riots. Through their cultural group Kabir Kala Manch, Ramesh and other activists had presented songs at Elgar Parishad on 31st December 2017. They all were resting when the Koregaon Bhima riots took place next day. And still, the police arrested Ramesh. He does not have any connection with Koregaon Bhima riots.
The police raided our house multiple times before his arrest. During one raid, when Ramesh was at home, the police checked all the cupboards, and took out the computer’s hard disks, while we kept asking what was happening. He asked the police, “If something happened to my parents, who would be responsible? They are old and have old-age ailments like diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.” Another time, the police even visited our village Saigaon, in Kudal taluka of Maharashtra’s Sindhudurga district, to enquire about Ramesh.
A few days before his arrest, police officials in civil dress came to our house. We had no idea what was happening, we were very scared. They asked for Ramesh, who was staying with his friend at that time, because we used to stay in a one-room house then, in the same neighbourhood, in Pune’s Jai Jawan Nagar. The police told us to find him and ask him to appear for an inquiry. So we told them to enquire about our son at the school and college he studied at or nearby police chowki to know what kind of person he is.
You can ask anyone in the neighbourhood about him. We have been here for over 45 years, all our neighbours know us. They will all tell you he is a very good human being. They will tell you how he used to study under streetlights in his childhood. They are confused about why the police arrested Ramesh, and very empathetic towards him. Even our relatives are cooperative. Our neighbours and relatives have all become more concerned about us since Ramesh’s arrest.
The next time, the police called him when he was at home. They asked him to come somewhere and arrested him from that spot. Later, his friends told us that he had been arrested. He was offered a deal before his arrest, that he would be freed if he became a witness for the prosecution. But Ramesh did not take the offer, saying he had not committed any crime.
Only one call per month
During COVID-19, he would call us once a month for five minutes. He would ask how we were, about our health. He also called using video conferencing two or three times during COVID. After the pandemic, the calls stopped. When we were in Mumbai we once went to the court for his hearing. But the police did not bring him that day. Our trip was wasted. The police never disclose whether they would bring Ramesh on hearing days or not. And we are a poor family, we cannot afford to attend all hearings days.
Whenever we spoke to Ramesh, he never complained. He always says that there are all necessary facilities, like good food, in jail. He repeatedly tells us not to worry about him, and that people in jail are helpful. He always gives us hope that he will be out soon. We know that he does not want to share what he faces inside jail and that’s why he’s offering hope.
We are old now
We dreamt of living peacefully in old age while our sons run the house. Instead, we have to live in this misery of waiting for him to be released from jail. My husband used to work as a security supervisor at a private company. He does not get any pension. He has diabetes and blood pressure and I have heart issues. I had undergone heart surgery for a heart attack before the pandemic. Ramesh would get me medicine and tell me I would recover soon. Now I miss him when I fall sick.
We want to meet him because we both have health issues. One of us is always admitted to hospital for some or other reason. My sugar goes down every evening and we don’t understand why. I have to take insulin four times a day. Look at this register. I keep writing Jai Shri Ram on this register to keep myself busy and pray to god for him to be released.
My son never fought with anyone, and still, he was arrested. We have to suffer like this at this age We are waiting for him to get free. He has not been on bail since he was arrested. We want to meet him once before we die. This is our last wish.
As told to Varsha Torgalkar