He was murdered by the state: Activists remember Father Stan Swamy on fourth death anniversary
New Delhi: On the fourth death anniversary of Father Stan Swamy, members of the Jesuit community, human rights defenders, and civil society groups came together in Delhi to commemorate the legacy of the late tribal rights activist and Jesuit priest, who died in judicial custody on July 5, 2021.
The memorial event was organised jointly by the Jesuits and the Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi (CAAD). Speakers condemned the injustice surrounding Father Stan’s arrest and death, highlighting his lifelong commitment to Adivasi rights and the increasing criminalisation of dissent in India.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, founder of the Human Rights Law Network, criticised the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against peaceful activists. “It is irrational that judges who deny bail to ailing individuals like Father Stan, leading to their death, face no accountability,” he said. “Stan Swamy was the most soft-spoken and gentle ‘terrorist’ India has ever produced.”
Prominent sociologist Prof. Nandini Sundar reiterated the dangers faced by those who question state power. She recalled Father Stan’s advocacy for Gram Sabha rights and his 2017 PIL in the Jharkhand High Court against mass incarceration of Adivasis and Dalits under false Maoist allegations. “Stan was targeted because he stood with the oppressed,” she said.
Father Cyril Anthony Samy SJ described Father Stan as “a living saint,” and accused the Indian state of causing his death. “He proclaimed the truth boldly and paid the price for standing with Adivasis and demanding justice. His death is a murder by the state,” he said.
Father Stan was arrested on October 8, 2020, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under UAPA in the Bhima Koregaon case. Despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease and other serious illnesses, he was denied bail multiple times. His request for basic medical necessities, like a straw and sipper, was also initially denied, sparking national outrage. He died of cardiac arrest after contracting COVID-19 in custody, while his bail plea was still pending.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention later declared his arrest “arbitrary” and his death “utterly preventable,” holding the Indian state responsible.
To mark his martyrdom, members of the Bhima Koregaon-16 group (BK-16), including Anand Teltumbde, Hany Babu, Gautam Navlakha, and Sudha Bharadwaj, observed a hunger strike both inside and outside jail on July 5. A statement issued by the group was read aloud at the event, denouncing the state's repression of dissenting voices.
“The powers that be feared Stan, because he was fearless,” the statement read. “He united people’s movements against the destruction of jal, jungle, zameen in Adivasi areas. In return, the state used surveillance, fabricated charges, and incarceration to silence him.”
The statement also condemned the broader trend of targeting activists from the anti-CAA-NRC movement, members of the Moolnivasi Bachao Andolan, and Muslim individuals and organisations under the guise of national security.
Prof. Sundar also drew parallels between India's domestic repression and its international alliances, particularly with Israel. She highlighted the use of Israeli weapons, originally tested on Palestinians, against India’s own minorities, and criticised the export of arms linked to Adani to Israel, contributing to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Speakers concluded that remembering Father Stan is not only an act of mourning, but a renewed commitment to resistance. “His life was a beacon of hope for democratic values. His death is a reminder of the cost of speaking truth to power,” they said.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
