Mr Wei Jingsheng, Citizen of China
Dear Sir,
I am delighted to know from news reports today that you are well and active.
This short note is merely to tell you that some 28 years ago, your name entered my doctoral thesis submitted to the Cambridge University Faculty of Economics & Politics, titled “On liberty & economic growth: preface to a philosophy for India”.
On page 23, the thesis said:
“We know such conversations should not be forcibly silenced, which is why it is wrong that Dr Sakharov is banished, or that Mr Wei Jingsheng is gaoled for a decade, or that Dr Tomin is brutally assaulted and not allowed to lecture on Aristotle.”
And again on page 104:
“A disciplined and united oligarchy can with careful planning maintain its rule indefinitely over an amorphous and anonymous citizenry. The only thorns in its side will be men like Sakharov and Wei Jingsheng and Tomin whose courage is somehow signalled to the outside world and who thus become recognisable names. But even these men can be exiled or gaoled or thrashed into silence, so extinguishing the small chance left of the the truth being told and the Leadership’s claim to unique wisdom being exposed for the sheer humbug it is.”
With my continuing admiration, I remain
Yours truly
Subroto Roy
Kolkata, India
Independent Indian: Work & Life of Professor Subroto Roy 