The Rev.

Stan Swamy

SJ
Swamy in 2010
Born
Stanislaus Lourduswamy

(1937-04-26)26 April 1937
Viragalur, Tiruchirappalli,
Madras Presidency,
British India
(now Tamil Nadu, India)
Died5 July 2021(2021-07-05) (aged 84)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation(s)Catholic priest, activist
Years active1978–2021
Known forTribal rights activism

Stanislaus Lourduswamy, SJ (26 April 1937 – 5 July 2021),[1] popularly known as Stan Swamy, was an Indian Catholic priest, a member of the Jesuit order,[2] and a tribal rights activist for several decades.[3][4] Swamy was the oldest person to be accused of terrorism in India.[5]

On 8 October 2020, Swamy was arrested and charged by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, for his alleged role in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence and links to the Communist Party of India (Maoist).[6] Swamy was suffering from Parkinson's disease and had requested bail on medical grounds, which was rejected multiple times. While incarcerated, his health deteriorated and died on 5 July 2021.

Life

Early life

Swamy was born on 26 April 1937 in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.[7][8][9] In the 1970s, he studied theology and received a master's degree in sociology in the Philippines,[8] where he encountered a series of protests and demonstrations against the administration. During his further studies, he made friends with Brazilian Catholic Archbishop Hélder Câmara, whose work with poor people influenced him.[7]

Activism

Swamy was the director of the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, from 1975 to 1986.[10] He worked among the tribals of central India for over three decades[11] and had questioned the non-implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which stipulates setting up of a Tribes Advisory Council with members solely of the Adivasi community for their protection, well-being and development in the state.[12]

In a video circulated two days ahead of his arrest, Swamy suggested his arrest was linked to his work, as it involved dissent against government policies. He said

What is happening to me is not something unique happening to me alone. It is a broader process that is taking place all over the country. We are all aware how prominent intellectuals, lawyers writers, poets, activists, students, leaders, they are all put into jail because they have expressed their dissent or raised questions about the ruling powers of India. We are part of the process. In a way I am happy to be part of this process. I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game, and ready to pay the price whatever be it.[13]

While incarcerated in Taloja Central Jail, in a letter to his Jesuit colleague, Swamy highlighted the plight of the prisoners stating, "Many of such poor undertrials don't know what charges have been put on them, have not seen their chargesheet and just remain in prison for years without any legal or other assistance."[14] He ended the letter saying, "But we will still sing in chorus. A caged bird can still sing."[15]

Arrest

Swamy was implicated in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence, while he claimed that he was not in Pune[16] during the said period, and he was accused of being a Maoist "sympathiser". It was alleged that the Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC) founded by him and Sudha Bharadwaj, "to fight for the release of around 3,000 men and women who have been labelled as Maoists and imprisoned",[5] was a front for Maoist fundraising. The Jesuits denied the allegation of Swamy being a Maoist, by stating that it was against the ethos of the Jesuit order.[17] He was arrested[18] by the NIA on 8 October 2020, from Bagaicha, a Jesuit social action centre,[19] and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, under which bail can be denied. The case was initially investigated by the Pune Police but later handed over to the NIA.[20][21] He had earlier been arrested in June 2018 in Ranchi on similar accusations.[22] Activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira were also lodged at Taloja prison along with Swamy.[16]

Swamy's arrest triggered widespread protests across India.[23] The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), All India Catholic Union, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference (KCBC), Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA), Kerala Jesuit Provincial,[24] Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC),[25] and the international Jesuit community,[26][13][2] all protested, calling for his release.[27][28][29] The Ranchi Catholic Church released a statement saying it was "distressed and troubled" at the way he was arrested.[7] The arrests were termed as politically motivated due to his work among the adivasi community, the release of undertrials, Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee,[30] among others.[31] Leaders of other minority religions also protested his arrest.[32] In a protest on 21 October 2020, leaders of opposition political parties such as Shashi Tharoor, Sitaram Yechury, D. Raja, Supriya Sule and Kanimozhi along with economist Jean Dreze, Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur, the director of the Ranchi-based Xavier Institute of Social Sciences, activists Dayamani Barla and Rupali Jadhav, and lawyer Mihir Desai called for Stan's release.[33][34] Jharkhand Chief minister Hemant Soren[35] and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan[36][37][38] both objected to Swamy's arrest.

In October 2020, Swamy filed for bail on the grounds of him being a victim of Parkinson's disease. His bail pleas were rejected multiple times.[39][40][41]

On 6 November 2020, Swamy submitted an application to the special court requesting a straw and sipper, stating that he was unable to hold a glass due to Parkinson's.[42][43] In response to the delay in arranging a straw and a sipper for Swamy,[44] social media users protested by ordering straws and sippers online, getting them delivered to the NIA's Mumbai office and at the Taloja jail.[45][46]

Illness and death

Swamy suffered from Parkinson's disease and other age-related illnesses.[9] He fell multiple times while in prison.[43] He suffered from hearing loss in both ears and had undergone surgeries.[17] Due to his Parkinson's, he had trouble holding a glass, and requested to be provided with a sipper and a straw while imprisoned.[42]

On 18 May 2021, in a note submitted to the Bombay High Court,[47] it was reported that Swamy was gravely ill in prison.[48] The Court ordered the formation of an expert committee to examine Swamy.[49][50] While appearing before the Court over video conferencing on 21 May 2021, Swamy refused to be admitted to either JJ hospital or any other hospital and requested only interim bail so that he could go to his home in Ranchi, citing his rapidly deteriorating health.[51] On 28 May 2021, the Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to admit Swamy to a private hospital for 15 days, considering his rapidly deteriorating health. He was admitted to the Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai.[52] Swamy then tested positive for COVID-19.[53]

On 4 July 2021, Swamy was put on ventilator support, as his health deteriorated.[54] He died on 5 July 2021, ahead of his bail hearing in Bombay High Court.[55][56][57]

In November 2021, Jamshedpur Jesuit Province (JJP) petitioned the Bombay High Court, as his next-of-kin, to clear Swamy's name from the case. His counsel while appealing the Bombay High Court, to set aside NIA observation against him, had submitted, "It is strongly believed by those closest to him that his death was caused (in view of his age and past health conditions) due to his arrest and prison conditions including inadequate health facilities and health care". HC asked the petition to be resubmitted.[58]

The Washington Post reported in December 2022 that hackers had planted evidence on Swamy's computer.[59]

Awards

In January 2021, Swamy was awarded the Mukundan C. Menon award 2020 for human rights.[60]

In June 2022 the Martin Ennals Foundation, Geneva posthumously conferred the Human Rights Defenders award 2022 to Stan Swamy.[61]

References

  1. ↑ "Father Stan Swamy (1937-2021)". The Hindu. 6 July 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Petition for Fr Stanislaus Lourdusamy". Jesuits in Britain. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "NIA court to pass order on Stan Swamy bail on March 22". The Hindu. 16 March 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  4. ↑ Regi, Anjali (9 October 2020). "Fr. Stan Swamy arrested: Widespread protest". Catholic Focus. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. 1 2 Biswas, Soutik (13 October 2020). "Stan Swamy: The oldest person to be accused of terrorism in India". BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Kaur, Kamaljit. "This is what NIA's Bhima Koregaon chargesheet says about Stan Swamy". India Today. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Held by NIA over 'Maoist links', 83-yr-old priest worked for tribals, took on govt policies, and 'even the Church'". The Indian Express. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  8. 1 2 PM, Tony; Martin, Peter (21 October 2020). "Adivasi rights activist Stan Swamy's life and work demonstrate why the powerful want him silenced". Scroll. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  9. 1 2 Thekaekara, Mari Marcel. "The Indomitable Spirit of Father Stan Swamy". The Wire. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Directors, Indian Social Institute". Indian Social Institute. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  11. ↑ Kartikeya, Pragya Barsaiyan,Kumar (10 August 2021). "Death sponsored by the State: How the UAPA toys with personal liberty". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "Explained: Who is Stan Swamy, the latest to be arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case?". The Indian Express. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  13. 1 2 "In Solidarity with Fr. Stan Swamy, a 83 year old Jesuit arrested in India". Jesuits Global. Jesuits. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  14. ↑ Murphy, Gavin T. (26 January 2021). "Fr Stan Swamy SJ – 'A caged bird can still sing'".
  15. ↑ "Father Stan Swamy pens letter on plight of other undertrials". www.telegraphindia.com.
  16. 1 2 "Elgar Parishad case: 'Humanity is bubbling in Taloja prison'". Mumbai Mirror. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  17. 1 2 Borges, Jane (31 October 2020). "'He's a torchbearer of the Constitution' say father Stan Swamy's peers". Mid-Day. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  18. ↑ Shantha, Sukanya. "NIA Arrests 83-Year-Old Tribal Rights Activist Stan Swamy in Elgar Parishad Case". The Wire. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Christians seek Indian leaders' help for bail for jailed priest". Vatican News. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  20. ↑ "Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray set to withdraw Bhima-Koregaon cases against activists". Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "NIA took over the case from State government". Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  22. ↑ "Fr Stan Swamy, priest arrested in Ranchi: 'False and fabricated' charges against me". Asia News. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  23. ↑ Barik, Satyasundar (10 October 2020). "'Stan Swamy's arrest a violation of human rights', say civil rights activists". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  24. ↑ ENS (11 October 2020). "Various Kerala church sects demand Father Stan Swamy's release". New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  25. ↑ "Asian bishops' solidarity with jailed Indian Jesuit". Vatican News. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "Jesuits Demand Immediate Release of Fr. Stan Swamy, SJ". jesuits.org. The Jesuits. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  27. ↑ "Catholic union calls for Father Stan Swamy's release". Deccan Herald. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "PUCL Condemns the Detention and Arrest of Fr. Stan Swamy in Bhima Koregaon Case". Counter Currents. People's Union For Civil Liberties. 8 October 2020.
  29. ↑ "CBCI seeks release of Stan Swamy". The Indian Express. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  30. ↑ and Debmalya, Rajendran Narayanan (3 September 2018). "Father Stan Swamy, Children and the Unholy State". The Wire. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  31. ↑ Raj S.J., Fr. J. Felix (12 October 2020). "Stan Swamy's arrest 'politically motivated'". Telegraph India. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  32. ↑ Mazumdar, Jhinuk (18 October 2020). "Other brothers behind Stan Swamy". Telegraph India.
  33. ↑ Dasgupta, Sravasti (21 October 2020). "MPs Tharoor, Sule, Kanizmozhi join 8 others to seek UAPA repeal, release of Stan Swamy". The Print. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  34. ↑ ""Time To Break The Silence": Opposition Leaders Condemn Stan Swamy's Arrest". Press Trust of India. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  35. ↑ ENS (10 October 2020). "Jharkhand CM, Congress back Stan Swamy, question his arrest". New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  36. ↑ "'Father Stan Swamy should get justice': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on activist's arrest". The News Minute. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  37. ↑ "Tribal Rights Activist Fr Stan Swamy's Arrest Unfortunate:CM". News18. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  38. ↑ "Tribal Rights Activist Stan Swamy's Arrest Unfortunate: Pinarayi Vijayan". NDTV. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  39. ↑ "Court rejects bail plea of Stan Swamy". The Hindu. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  40. ↑ Joshi, Neha (27 November 2020). "[Bhima Koregaon] Not likely to jump bail, arrest malafide: Father Stan Swamy moves Special NIA Court for bail". Bar And Bench. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  41. ↑ Hakim, Sharmeen. "BREAKING : NIA Court Refuses Bail To Stan Swamy In Bhima Koregaon Case". Livelaw. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  42. 1 2 Saigal, Sonam (6 November 2020). "Stan Swamy files plea to allow use of straw, sipper in Taloja jail". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  43. 1 2 Roy, Divyanshu Dutta (26 November 2020). "Not Till December. Stan Swamy's Wait For A Straw And Sipper Extended". NDTV. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  44. ↑ "NIA says it didn't seize Stan Swamy's straw and sipper". The Hindu. 29 November 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  45. ↑ "Why people are posting orders of straws and sippers for arrested tribal activist Stan Swamy". The Indian Express. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  46. ↑ Ganapatye, Shruti (29 November 2020). "Stan Swamy gets a sipper, finally". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  47. ↑ Hakim, Sharmeen (19 May 2021). "'Ayurvedic Doctor At Prison Prescribed Allopathic Antipsychotic Drug' :Stan Swamy Tells Bombay High Court". www.livelaw.in.
  48. ↑ "'Shift jailed Stan Swamy to hospital': Jharkhand rights group to Maharashtra govt". The New Indian Express.
  49. ↑ "Elgaar Parishad case: Bombay HC directs Stan Swamy's health check-up at J J Hospital". 19 May 2021.
  50. ↑ Saigal, Sonam (19 May 2021). "Send Stan Swamy to hospital for check-up on Thursday: Bombay High Court". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  51. ↑ Hakim, Sharmeen (21 May 2021). "'I Would Rather Suffer, Possibly Die Very Shortly If This Were To Go On' : Stan Swamy Pleads For Interim Bail In Bombay HC". www.livelaw.in.
  52. ↑ "Bombay HC directs prison authorities to shift SwamySwamy to Holy Family Hospital". 29 May 2021.
  53. ↑ Saigal, Sonam (30 May 2021). "Fr. Stan Swamy tests positive for COVID-19". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  54. ↑ "Elgaar Parishad case: Stan Swamy put on ventilator support as health deteriorates". 4 July 2021.
  55. ↑ "Fr. Stan Swamy passes away". The Hindu. 5 July 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  56. ↑ "Elgar Parishad Case: Activist Stan Swamy, 84, Passes Away Ahead of Hearing on Bail Plea". News18. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  57. ↑ "Tribal activist Stan Swamy dies at 84". Scroll.in. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  58. ↑ "Bombay HC Asks Jesuit Group to File New Plea if They Want Stan Swamy's Name Cleared". The Wire. 25 November 2021.
  59. ↑ Masih, Niha (13 December 2022). "Hackers planted evidence of on computer of jailed Indian activist, report says". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  60. ↑ "Award for Fr. Stan Swamy". The Hindu. 25 January 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  61. ↑ "Geneva-based rights organisation confers posthumous award to Father Stan Swamy". The New Indian Express. 3 June 2022 – via www.newindianexpress.com.
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