Though US government boasts about freedom of expression, their actions speak of something different. In April 2006, US Police arrested an Indian student studying in an American university who was charged with writing and publishing anti-Bush article on the internet.

Vikram Buddhi was arrested three years ago and since then he has been languishing in a jail in United States. He was arrested for writing anti-Bush content and publishing it through university’s website, allegedly. It has been three years but no case or hearing is carried out since his arrest. Vikram has not been presented in front of a jury yet. Vikram’s father Subbarao Buddhi was fighting his case alone. Recently, the issue was raised by the human rights organizations of India who compelled the Indian Government to ask US about the injustice being done to Vikram. The Indian foreign minister S M Krishna is said to have met the US officials and Vikram’s lawyers, and has promised to make his best effort to resolve the case. Indian foreign ministry has asked the US government to provide proofs about the allegations made against Vikram. The Indian government has also said that there might be some involvement of the malicious elements. They say that there is a possibility about university’s website being hacked as the university website does have a history of being hacked. The Indian government has also protested to the US government for arresting and keeping Vikram in jail while he is not being sentenced.

Vikram is PhD student who was studying math in Purdue University. He is a bright scholar who was awarded with the title of Best Lecturer at Purdue University. Various organizations including IIT alumni association PAN-IIT are also making strong efforts through ministry of external affairs to release Vikram from US custody.

Vikram Buddhi