Father Stan Swamy

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Stan Swamy was born in Tiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu, in 1937. In addition to his training as a Jesuit priest, he took a Masters degree in sociology to deepen his understanding of the world, as well as his Christian beliefs. He was a man who cared deeply about all forms of social injustice, leading him to become an activist in defence of the rights of the poor and marginalised.

Throughout his life, Swamy believed in putting the principles of religion into practice. He did not retire to a monastery to pray; instead, he moved to Jharkhand, where he felt he could help those in need.

Much of the local population in Jharkhand lives in poverty while big mining companies profit from rich mineral resources. Stan Swamy became an advocate of the tribal Avidasi people, as well as other marginalised communities such as Dalits.

He spent over fifty years supporting these groups and speaking out for their rights – even when that meant criticising the actions of the government. He meticulously documented the harsh treatment of Avidasi youth, for example, who were imprisoned for exercising their right to defend their own land, and exposed cases of illegal land-grabbing by mining companies.

In the eyes of the current government of India, that made him a terrorist.

Swamy was one of the "Bhima Koregaon 16", all arrested on false charges

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The NIA repeatedly claimed that Father Swamy was a Maoist, and part of a conspiracy to incite national rebellion – something he always denied.

Along with fifteen other activists, lawyers, academics and writers – including the poet Varavara Rao, also in his eighties – Swamy was arrested as a result of his involvement in the event to commemorate a Dalit military victory at Bhima Koregaon. When caste-based violence broke out in the region, the group was charged with sedition and terrorism.

Investigations have found that the so-called “evidence” against those arrested was faked and planted on their computers. Nevertheless, most have spent well over a year in prison without trial – even during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when prisoners faced real danger from unhealthy living conditions.

Some, like lawyer and human rights defender Surendra Gadling and academic Anand Teltumbde, have now been in jail for over three years.

Not long after his arrest in October 2020, Father Swamy recorded a video that was posted on YouTube.

“Because of my age, I have certain ailments,” he said. “This is something that I am communicating to them and let us hope that some human sense will prevail.”

He had Parkinson’s disease, causing his hands to shake and making it difficult for him to eat and drink. He had to submit a formal request to the judiciary to be allowed a straw to drink through. It was granted – after a month.

Should it really take a month to bring a straw to an elderly man who is unable to hold a glass of water?

Human sense did not prevail; Father Swamy was denied bail, and his health continued to deteriorate. In May he tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to hospital, and finally died of a cardiac arrest on 5th July.

Father Swamy’s death sparked international outrage. In India, government control over the media meant that the tragedy has received little attention in the press.

Yet it has added to the wave of criticism of the BJP government from within the country, as more and more people speak out against the authoritarian regime.

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress party MP, posted a tweet voicing the anger of many:

“Who in the apparatus of the Indian state will be held responsible for this tragedy? Make no mistake — it is the Indian state that killed Fr. Stan Swamy, who was such a passionate crusader for social justice.”

Meena Kandasamy, a poet and author, told the Guardian: “Let us not talk about this as mere death. This is a judicial murder and everyone is complicit.”

Whatever your political position, there is no way to justify the treatment of this courageous man, who had spent a long life defending the marginalised. The government is responsible for his death. And they must be held accountable.

Stan Swamy's example has helped others find their voice

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Stan Swamy knew that he was not a terrorist, and that the charges against him were ridiculous. He knew that he was not the problem; the problem is the government. In a video that was posted online at the time of his arrest, 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.”

Father Swamy concluded by saying:

“I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game, and ready to pay the price whatever be it.”

The price was his life, and spending his last days in the harsh conditions of a Mumbai jail – for the “crime” of criticising the policies of the government and speaking up on behalf of the oppressed.

His example should inspire us all to stop being silent spectators, and find the courage to stand up for justice in India.