Christians Across India Stand With Fr Stan Swamy

By Verghese V Joseph –

Christians across India came together expressing solidarity with Jesuit activist Fr Stan Swamy who they described was illegally treated and arrested from his residence in Jharkhand by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and falsely implicating him in the Bhima Koregaon case.

Father Stan Swamy, 83, who was arrested on October 8, is a Jesuit priest who has been working with Adivasis for over 30 years, focusing on their land rights. The Bhima Koregaon case, for which he has been arrested, relates to an event on December 31, 2017, in Pune which was followed by violence and arson in Maharashtra that left one person dead.

NIA officials from Delhi allege that the priest was a member of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) and was “actively involved in its activities”.

In New Delhi, nearly 200 people gathered at downtown Jantar Mantar to observe the National Day of Solidarity for Father Stan Swamy.

Social activist Ms Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao Andolan (save Narmada campaign), who joined the program through Zoom meeting, said her heart beats for Father Stan, who “worked for Atmanirbhar Adivasi” (self-reliant Tribal).

The one-hour meeting was opened by Father Stanislaus D’Souza, who took over as the head of the Jesuits in South Asia two days ago. The participants included Archbishop of Anil Couto of Delhi.

Prominent human rights activists such as Shabanam Hashmi, Harsh Mander and Apoorvanand Jha too addressed the gathering. According to them, the government has exposed itself by arresting a Jesuit priest who has worked for the rights of poor tribal communities for more than three decades.

At Guwahati in Assam, the gateway to north eastern India, an ecumenical program was organized to show solidarity with Father Swamy. The participants demanded immediate release of the Jesuit priest all Intellectuals and activists who have been arrested for standing with the poor and the marginalized.

The protestors alleged that the state of Jharkhand falsely accused and implicated him to “stall the judicial process to give justice to the innocent Adivasis in the region.”

Assam Christian Forum (ACF), Indian Christians for Democracy North East India (ICD-NEI), Northeast Solidarity Group (NSG) jointly organised a joint protest on Monday in an expression of solidarity. In the words of Mr.Allen Brookes, the spokesperson of ACF,  “all the arrested should be released forthwith and justice be done to the Dalits, tribals and women for whose cause these intellectuals and activists who have dedicated their lives”. 

 

In Bengaluru, the protestors formed a silent human chain that extended from the city’s Brigade Road to the Shantinagar Bus Depot, a little over three kilometres away.

“We request the government to not only not take any action but encourage Father Stan Swamy because he is working for the poor. Ultimately, the poor are our backbone,” Dr Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bengaluru said.

“It is important to note that Father Stan Swamy has always cooperated with the investigating agencies and has always provided detailed statements,” said a press release by the organisers of today’s protest in Bengaluru.

“It is ironic that Father Stan Swamy, who had been struggling for the release of tribals false implicated on various cases is himself arrested in a false and fabricated case,” the statement lamented.

The presences of heads and representatives of all major Churches at this time of uncertainty sent out a very positive message and strengthened our solidarity, said Allen Brooks, spokesperson for Christians in the region.

In Kochi, Kerala, various Christian denominations on October 11 demanded the release of Father Swamy, who was arrested in what they called “in gross violation of human rights and democratic norms.”

In a statement, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council expressed shock at the arrest of the Jesuit priest.

The Kerala bishops “like to remind the government that the Catholic community has always been working for the development of the poor and the downtrodden. It is through hardworking, sincere and committed persons like Fr Stan Swamy that the Catholic Church has worked for the welfare of the poor in this country.”

In Patna, Bihar, many social and human rights organizations joined a protest rally to express solidarity with Father Swamy.

Some hundred people waved posters and chanted for the release of the priest, who they said was legally ‘abducted’ by the NIA on trumped up charges.

The participants gathered in front of the Buddha Smriti Park and demanded the Jesuit’s unconditional release. They raised slogans against the “misuse of NIA, arrests of alleged urban Naxals, human rights violations and bid to tarnish the image of Christian missionaries.” They also sought “restoration of minorities’ democratic rights.”

The participants included several renowned activists such as Padmashree Sister Sudha Varghese, noted journalist and PUCL activist Nivedita Jha, members and associates of the Bihar Dalit Vikas Society.

In Trichy in Tamil Nadu, Father Swamy’s home state, Jesuit priests and staff of St. Joseph’s College observed a silent protest condemning the Jesuit’s arrest.

The protesters questioned the need for the NIA to take the aged priest to Mumbai amid the global pandemic, notwithstanding the Jharkhand government’s directive that those above 60 years of age must not venture in public.

The Bangalore Jesuit Educational Institutions (BJES) Bangalore, India, expressed deep anguish and sorrow on the illegal arrest of Fr. Stan Swamy SJ and organised the Silent Human Chain on Monday.