IITian Turned Maoist Clears Lecturer Eligibility Test From Jail

Kolkata: Dreaded Maoist leader Arnab Das, who is currently serving his jail term in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, has cleared the state eligibility test for the post of lecturer.

In doing so, the 40-year-old has put the administration in a fix, whether to reward him with a job when he walks out.

His thirst for knowledge and books is not unknown to the government though. He is a son of a retired judicial magistrate.

Das had cracked the joint entrance exam in 1998 to pursue mechanical engineering in IIT Kharagpur. He had cleared three semesters but then dropped out by choice to join the Maoist ranks, attracted to its ideology.

He headed the 34-member guerilla platoon of the ultras in Purulia district of West Bengal during 2009-2011. He was arrested in 2012 and has been in jail since.

Das was linked – among others – to the Maoist attack in February 2010 on a camp of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) at Silda (in West Midnapore district) in which 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles personnel were killed.

Named in as many as 31 cases, he was either acquitted or granted bail in all of them except the Silda attack, for which sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) were slapped on him.

But all throughout, his love for books made him an admirable “gentleman” in his circle, the special task force which had tracked him down had said during his arrest.

Now that he has cleared the test for being eligible to apply as a lecturer, Das has decided to pursue his PhD from jail.

“We have got a letter from my son today in which he has written that he has passed the exam. The credit is entirely his,” said his mother Kalyani Sarkar Das.

“I am glad Das passed the test. Though I cannot comment much due to the model code of conduct, let me point out that since the government allowed him to appear for the exam, the administration will ensure fair play in the later stages (interview),” Bengal correctional services minister Ujjal Biswas was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying.

‘Das’ result is a remarkable feat. No one in the state has done it so far,’ said Ranjit Sur, a prominent human rights activist.

‘I am glad he cleared the test. However, on Wednesday, Das told a Midnapore court that he does not need any lawyer,’ said Das’ advocate Ajay Ghosh.