It was a rare book launch. Selvam, the author of Oru Thooku Kaithiyin Vaakumoolam (Testimony of a Death Convict), was once condemned to death for a murder. The death sentences handed to him and his friends, Radhakrishnan and Shiekmeeran, were later commuted to life imprisonment by the President, on the condition that they spend the rest of their lives behind bars. With special permission from prison authorities, Selvam was allowed to step out briefly to attend the launch of his book in Chennai on Saturday. The presence of Selvam’s wife Jenila and his son among the audience lent a touch of poignancy to the event. Selvam’s written speech was read out at the event.
Justice K. Chandru, retired judge of the Madras High Court, who wrote the foreword, released the book and writer Meeran Moideen received the first copy. Badri Seshadri of Kizhakku Pathipagam, who was arrested two years ago for his comments against the judiciary, had a chance encounter with Selvam in the Tiruchi jail and went on to publish the book.
Justice Chandru said he read the book in a single sitting and decided to write the foreword because Selvam had written the truth. “I checked the book to see whether he had recorded the fact that inmates are segregated based on their caste and lodged together in the cells of Palayamkottai prison. He has indeed recorded it,” said Justice Chandru, who has delivered judgments on jail reforms. He said the prison system should be a reformative and not a retributive justice system. He called upon the people to write letters to the government in support of Selvam.
