OU professor arrested for alleged Maoist links released

Hyderabad: The professor of Osmania University (OU), Chintakindi Khasim, who was granted bail on Tuesday, was released from Cherlapally Central prison on 20 May. He was received by his family members, supporters, and members of various people’s organisations.

Prof. Khasim thanked all those who had supported him during his arrest. “Many people have protested all over the state for my release. I thank all of them. I also want to thank leaders from various parties, student unions, professors, teachers, and all those who showed their concern,” he said. He also thanked the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for supporting his family.

He said Dalits suffer the most in the country and that he will continue to write about their plight. Prof Khasim also said the education system has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic so there was a need to focus on academics, research, and teaching to improve the situation.

In January 2019, Prof. Khasim had been arrested by the LB Nagar police in connection with his alleged links with former Maoists Narla Ravi Sharma (54) and Bellapu Anuradha (56), who were arrested in November 2019. Also, there were cases against him at three other places in the state, under charges of sedition and alleged links with the banned Maoist outfit. However, he had been granted bail in those cases.