[Reader-list] Injustice of our times -

[Jeebesh]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Vijayan M.J. <vijayan at delhiforum.net>
Date: Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Subject: Injustice of our times - pls campaign for release of Vikram  
by US administration
To:


Dear All,

Vikram Buddhi was a graduate student at Purdue University (after MSc  
at IIT-Bombay, first in class), pursuing his PhD in pure and applied  
mathematics. In 2005, he criticized the Purdue administration for  
racism towards an African-American student, who was punished for  
cheating, while three non-African students were released for the same  
charge.

In January 2006, he was picked up for interrogation by the FBI in  
regards to an anonymous posting on an internet chat board, urging  
Iraqis to avenge the deaths of 312769 women and children. This posting  
called for the assassination of the then president of the US, George  
W. Bush and several others. After the interrogation, the FBI released  
him, and also released a document saying that Vikram posed no threat  
to anybody. At worst, if he did post this (not proven), it was an  
irresponsible, and possibly inebriated thing to do, which in no way  
meant that he planned or even wanted the death of anybody.

In March 2006, Vikram's father, ex-navy offical Dr. Buddhi Kota  
Subbarao (former Indian Navy Captain with a PhD in nuclear science)  
published an article against the US-India nuclear deal:http://www.countercurrents.org/ind-subbarao090306.htm 
.

The following month, Vikram was picked up again by the FBI. This time,  
for the same charge he was released on and cleared of earlier, he was  
arrested and incarcerated. Since then, there has been a trial, with a  
hostile judge who kept key information from the jury, and consequently  
a guilty verdict. Tellingly, even though the trial was held in July  
2007, no sentencing has been done yet, two years later, which means  
that no appeal can be filed. Vikram remains in jail in Chicago.  
Tellingly, he spends his time teaching Mathematics to the inmates.

Vikram's father, meanwhile, has spent the last three years in the US.  
Initially allowed in on an emergency 1-year visa, he has been  
harassed, his passport confiscated and he has been strongly encouraged  
(as only the authorities can "strongly encourage" someone) to return  
to India. Much as he wants to (his wife lives alone in Vashi), he  
cannot leave the US and abandon his son. If he leaves the US, he will  
not be allowed to re-enter for ten years.

This father & son have been harassed enough. There has been no wrong- 
doing on their part, as is obvious from their backgrounds, as well as  
the facts of the case. Vikram Buddhi should be released immediately!

Kindly visit / sign-online / publish and take up the campaign forward  
at your end:

http://www.petitiononline.com/freevb/petition.html
http://freevb.blogspot.com
Facebook Group: Justice for Vikram Buddhi

Regards,

Adv.Somnath Bharti, Anil TV, Sherry, Dr. Viajayaraghavan Chariar,  
Madhuresh, Vasundhara, Vijayan MJ, others
(Contacts: Email: sherryfrosh at gmail.com, Phones: Phones: +  
91-11-26680914/883 Fax:26687724)