Stanislaus Lourduswamy, a Jesuit priest and noted tribal rights activist, died July 5, 2020, probably of Covid-related complications, in Bandra’s Holy Family Hospital. He was an undertrial prisoner in Taloja Jail after his arrest in October last year under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 as amended most recently in 2019. His death and its circumstances was widely discussed in the Indian and international media. [Editor]

On Monday, 5th July, while the Bombay High Court was about to hear a fresh filed plea by Stan Swamy, the lawyer informed the High Court that the activist had died at 1:30 pm. The plea was directed towards the stringent norms for bail to an accused under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

After the news of his saddening demise circulated in the country, messages poured in identifying the government for disregarding the medical facilities to the activist at the right time.

Friends and collaborators of the Jesuit community in Patna in Bihar expressed their views.

Here are some of them:

Dr. Marie D’cruz, Vice Principal of St. Michael’s High school, expressing her views, said “ Fr Stan Swamy was a true activist who tried to give voice to the voiceless. A person who was gentle and valued love and peace. He stood for the people who were struggling for their basic rights and worked with people in difficult circumstances.”

Reverend T Nishaant, Principal of St. Xavier’s College of Management and Technology (SXCMT), Patna, and a Jesuit, said “ Fr Stan is a martyr, not in the ordinary sense. He was being murdered everyday ever since he was jailed on false allegations. He lived for a cause. No power on earth can erase his footprints on the villages of Jharkhand, his hopeful message echoing in the hearts of Adivasis. Here is a true son of St Ignatius of Loyola. May Fr Stan continue to inspire us”.

Commenting on the incident, Sister Jaya, a counselor from SXCMT, said that “ a man who stood for justice throughout his life died unjustly. In a country like India, it should not have happened. He has become a role model for us. God set him free”.

Amidst criticism from the International Human Rights organizations, the Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA ) has responded that Swamy’s bail was rejected because of the nature of charges under which he was jailed.

The Central government is facing the heat of the incident from national organizations and opposition political parties as well, who blame the government of ill-treatment of Fr Stan Swamy and claim that the activist was one, among other human rights defenders put in jail under false allegations.

Nishant Mishra

  Jesuits, Stan Swany, UAPA