Stan Swamy

Stan Lourduswamy, popularly known as Stan Swamy, born 26 April 1937,[1][2] is an Indian Roman Catholic priest, a member of the Jesuit order,[3] and a tribals rights activist for several decades.[4] Swamy is the oldest person to be accused of terrorism in India.[5]

Fr. Stanislaus Lourduswamy S.J.
Stan Swamy in 2010
Born (1937-04-26) 26 April 1937
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
NationalityIndian
Other namesStan Swamy
OccupationCatholic priest, activist
Known forJesuit, tribals right activist

On 8 October 2020, he was arrested and chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) 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] Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren[7] and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan[8][9][10] have both demanded justice for Fr. Stan Swamy.

Life

Stan originally hails from Trichy in Tamil Nadu.[11] In the 1970s, Swamy studied theology and Masters in Sociology in Philippines,[1] where he was acquainted with 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.[11]

Activism

Stan was a former Director of the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute, Bangalore from 1975 to 1986.[12] He has 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.[13]

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 is quoted as saying,

"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."[14]

Arrest and Protests

Swamy was implicated in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence, while he claims that he was not in Pune[15] during the said period, and 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 had been labelled as Maoists and imprisoned,[5] was a front for Maoist fund raising. The Jesuits have denied the allegation, of Stan Swamy being a Maoist, by stating that it was against the ethos of the Jesuit order.[16] He was arrested[17] by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 8 October 2020, from Bagaicha, a Jesuit social action centre,[18] and chargesheeted 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.[19][20] He was earlier arrested in June 2018 in Ranchi on similar accusations.[21] There have been widespread protests across India[22] with 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,[23] Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC),[24] and the international Jesuit community,[25][14][3] calling for his release.[26][27][28] The Ranchi Catholic Church too released a statement saying it was “distressed and troubled” at the way he was arrested.[11] The arrests have been termed as politically motivated due to his work among the adivasi community, the release of undertrials, Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee.[29] among others.[30] Leaders of other minority religions have also protested his arrest.[31] 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.[32][33]

Bail and prison

The interim bail on medical grounds was rejected by the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on 23 October 2020.[34] On 6 November 2020, Swamy submitted an application to the special court requesting for a straw and sipper as he unable to hold a glass due to Parkinson's disease. The NIA requested for 20 days to respond to the application.[35] On 26 November 2020, the NIA responded that they did not have Swamy's straw-sipper. Swamy also filed for bail the second time on the grounds that he is 83 years old and suffers from Parkinson's disease.[36] The Court adjourned the next hearing to 4 December 2020 while directing the jail authorities to respond to his request for straw-sipper and warm winter clothes.[37] Around 50 days after being arrested and amidst public outrage from citizens, the Taloja jail authorities provided Swamy with a sipper.[38] Activists Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira are also lodged at Taloja prison along with Stan Swamy.[15]

While in prison, Stan Swamy wrote a letter[39] assisted by Arun Ferreira stating,

“Dear friends: Peace! Though I do not have many details, from what I have heard, I am grateful to all of you for expressing your solidarity support. I am in a cell approximately 13 feet x 8 feet, along with two more inmates. It has a small bathroom and a toilet with Indian commode. Fortunately, I am given a western commode chair. Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira are in another cell. During the day, when cells and barracks are opened, we meet with each other. From 5.30pm to 06.00am and 12 noon to 03.00pm, I am locked up in my cell, with two inmates. Arun assists me to have my breakfast and lunch. Vernon helps me with bath. My two inmates help out during supper, in washing my clothes and give massage to my knee joints. They are from very poor families. Please remember my inmates and my colleagues in your prayers. Despite all odds, humanity is bubbling in Taloja prison.”[40]

Pop culture

In response to NIA's claim that they do not have Stan Swamy's straw & sipper, social media users ordered for straw & sippers online and posted images of those orders.[41]

Health

Stan Swamy suffers from Parkinson's disease apart from other age related morbidities.[2] He has fallen multiple times while in prison.[37] He suffers from hearing loss in both ears and had undergone surgeries.[16]

References
  1. PM, Tony; Martin, Peter. "Adivasi rights activist Stan Swamy's life and work demonstrate why the powerful want him silenced". Scroll. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  2. Thekaekara, Mari Marcel. "The Indomitable Spirit of Father Stan Swamy". The Wire. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  3. "Petition for Fr Stanislaus Lourdusamy". Jesuits in Britain. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. Regi, Anjali. "Fr. Stan Swamy arrested: Widespread protest". Catholic Focus. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. 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. ENS (10 October 2020). "Jharkhand CM, Congress back Stan Swamy, question his arrest". New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  8. "'Father Stan Swamy should get justice': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on activist's arrest". The News Minute. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  9. "Tribal Rights Activist Fr Stan Swamy's Arrest Unfortunate:CM". News18. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  10. "Tribal Rights Activist Stan Swamy's Arrest Unfortunate: Pinarayi Vijayan". NDTV. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  11. "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.
  12. "Directors, Indian Social Institute". Indian Social Institute. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  13. "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.
  14. "In Solidarity with Fr. Stan Swamy, a 83 year old Jesuit arrested in India". Jesuits Global. Jesuits. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  15. "Elgar Parishad case: 'Humanity is bubbling in Taloja prison'". Mumbai Mirror. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  16. Borges, Jane. "'He's a torchbearer of the Constitution' say father Stan Swamy's peers". Mid-Day. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  17. Shantha, Sukanya. "NIA Arrests 83-Year-Old Tribal Rights Activist Stan Swamy in Elgar Parishad Case". The Wire. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  18. "Christians seek Indian leaders' help for bail for jailed priest". Vatican News. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  19. "Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray set to withdraw Bhima-Koregaon cases against activists". Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  20. "NIA took over the case from State government". Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  21. "Fr Stan Swamy, priest arrested in Ranchi: 'False and fabricated' charges against me". Asia News. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  22. Barik, Satyasundar (10 October 2020). "'Stan Swamy's arrest a violation of human rights', say civil rights activists". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  23. ENS (11 October 2020). "Various Kerala church sects demand Father Stan Swamy's release". New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  24. "Asian bishops' solidarity with jailed Indian Jesuit". Vatican News. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  25. "Jesuits Demand Immediate Release of Fr. Stan Swamy, SJ". jesuits.org. The Jesuits. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  26. "Catholic union calls for Father Stan Swamy's release". Deccan Herald. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  27. "PUCL Condemns the Detention and Arrest of Fr. Stan Swamy in Bhima Koregaon Case". Counter Currents. People's Union For Civil Liberties.
  28. "CBCI seeks release of Stan Swamy". The Indian Express. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  29. and Debmalya, Rajendran Narayanan (3 September 2018). "Father Stan Swamy, Children and the Unholy State". The Wire. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  30. Raj S.J., Fr. J. Felix (12 October 2020). "Stan Swamy's arrest 'politically motivated'". Telegraph India. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  31. Mazumdar, Jhinuk (18 October 2020). "Other brothers behind Stan Swamy". Telegraph India.
  32. 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.
  33. ""Time To Break The Silence": Opposition Leaders Condemn Stan Swamy's Arrest". Press Trust of India. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  34. "Court rejects bail plea of Stan Swamy". The Hindu. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  35. Saigal, Sonam (6 November 2020). "Stan Swamy files plea to allow use of straw, sipper in Taloja jail". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  36. 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.
  37. Roy, Divyanshu Dutta (26 November 2020). "Not Till December. Stan Swamy's Wait For A Straw And Sipper Extended". NDTV. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  38. Ganapatye, Shruti (29 November 2020). "Stan Swamy gets a sipper, finally". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  39. Vincent, Pheroze L. (15 November 2020). "In jail, humanity is bubbling: Stan Swamy". Telegraph India. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  40. "'Humanity is bubbling in Taloja prison,' Stan Swamy says in letter to friends". The Scroll. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  41. "Why people are posting orders of straws and sippers for arrested tribal activist Stan Swamy". New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
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