AMIDST the presence of more than 250 prominent intellectuals and trade union leaders in Hyderabad, Justice Subhashan Reddy, retired Supreme Court judge, released the book Keeping Up the Good Faith written by Prabir Purkayastha. The programme that was organised by Rajyanga Hakkula Parirakshana Vedika, took place at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, Baghlingampally, Hyderabad on January 30, 2024.

Prof. G Harahopal, Prof. K Nageswar, Prof.  Madabhushi Sreedhar and journalist Tulasi Chandu participated in the programme and shared their experiences about the current situation prevailing in the country. All the speakers, in one voice, opined that undeclared emergency is being witnessed in India under the present regime. They appreciated the efforts of Prabir Purkayastha for his incisive analysis in the book, on the trajectory of Indian politics in the last fifty years. They unequivocally condemned the imprisonment of Prabir Purkayastha for no fault of his. "It was also atrocious to book Prabir under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)" they lamented and termed it as a cowardice act of the centre.

Justice Subhashan Reddy, addressing the gathering, requested the participants to read Prabir's book to understand how the independent and fact reporting journalists in India have been facing the brunt of the ruling dispensations for the last fifty years. Justice Subhashan Reddy expressed his displeasure over two latest developments; one, president of India's national address, commemorating Indian Republic Day, in which, speaking on  Ramlalla consecration, she told that "it is a landmark in India's continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage"; two, central cabinet's resolution praising Narendra Modi on the construction of Ram Mandir and subsequent consecration ceremony. Justice Reddy said that if such kind of obeisance for a leader continued, unreasonably, India would no longer remain a democracy and it would turn into autocracy. Concluding his remarks, he cautioned that India was at cross roads and communal divisive politics were at deciding destiny. "Hence voice of the intellectuals against willful unilateralism of the dispensation is a must; let us join hands together to resist divisive policies", he urged all. The book releasing function that was presided over by G Vidyasagar, senior advocate, came to an end with his vote of thanks proposal.