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Learning about Gandhi in Sabarmati jail

Last Updated 19 November 2018, 09:32 IST
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DIG D G Vanzara is behind the bars for his alleged role in the Sohrabuddin encounter case while Mirza Baig is in the same jail for his alleged role in the serial blast case.
Are they inspired by 2006 flick Lage Raho Munna Bhai starring Sanjay Dutt is not clear. But they are firm that they want to “reform and educate” themselves. Only their action speaks as they cannot be contacted for confirmation.

The two have decided to study Gandhian principles--may be to atone and reform themselves. They have expressed their desire to the jail authorities: “We want to enroll ourselves for Gandhian studies” offered through the distance education universities.
Vanzara is an accused in a host of fake encounter cases in Gujar­at, including the Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter. He has already done a post graduate diploma in value education and spirituality offered by Annamalai University and sponsored by the Brahmakumaris.

Now, Vanzara wants to take up a course delving into the principles of non-violence. The course, offered by distance learning education, has found takers like Baig and Vanzara. Baig has now shown keen interest in MBA psychology and Gandhian principles of non-violence.

Jail officials maintain that these courses are likely to keep the inmates occupied and help in inculcating a positive thinking. The fall out could be what they have been trying time and again to keep the prisoners pre-occupied with positive issues.

The officials stress that the objective of these courses was to change the mindset of the inma­tes. Many of those opting for such courses are accused in gang rapes and murders.
P C Thakur, Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, said, “prisoners are not discriminated with regard to the courses they want to enrol in. In case of inmates involved in cases of terrorism, the study material is sent to their cells.’’

Thakur said as they are kept separately they have to appear for their examinations within the jail premises under security. Several murder accused have also opted for computer literacy progra­m­mes offered by IGNOU such as electrical wiring and mathematics.

However, that is not the end of the education story as far as Thakur is concerned. “Several Universities including IGNOU, Babasaheb Ambedkar University, Annamalai University, Saurashtra University are now opening study centres in district jails and we are offering a number of courses apart from a massive literacy drive for the inmates,” he adds.

“We have made book reading mandatory for the inmates and the number of books in the jail library has tripled to 60,000 from 20,000 in the last couple of years,” he said, adding that the jail authorities are soon launching a book compiling the writings of the inmates, which have been publis­hed with the help of the Gujarat Sahitya Parishad. “Vanzara has written two beautiful poems for the book as well,” Thakur added.

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(Published 03 September 2011, 17:11 IST)

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