Human rights defender Fr Stan Swamy SJ has been taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India for alleged Maoist links. Fr Stan, who is 83 years old and in poor health, has worked tremendously for the marginalised, downtrodden, and other vulnerable people, especially the indigenous peoples in Jharkhand, for several decades.
“We are shocked and dismayed to know that Fr Stan Swamy SJ, who has been working all his life for the uplift of the downtrodden and other vulnerable people, has been taken into custody by the NIA,” said Fr George Pattery SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia, in an open letter dated 9 October demanding the immediate release of Fr Stan.
The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat of the Society of Jesus in Rome has also expressed support. A statement published on its website said: “We, as Jesuits involved in works of education, caring and defending the rights of the poor and the vulnerable all over the world, stand in solidarity with Stan and other human rights defenders in India and strongly condemn the arrest of Fr Stan Swamy, demand immediate release, and refrain from arbitrary arrests of innocent law abiding citizens.”
Fr Stan had been interrogated multiple times for over 15 hours by the NIA at the Jesuit residence in Bagaicha, Ranchi in July and August. His arrest on 8 October is alleged to be in connection with the controversial Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case where investigators claim activists made inflammatory speeches and provocative statements that led to violence. Fr Stan has strongly denied any allegations linking him to Maoist forces and believes the state is after him because of his dissent with several policies of the government.
In a video statement made prior to his arrest Fr Stan said: “What is happening to me is not unique. Many activists, lawyers, writers, journalists, student leaders, poets, intellectuals, and others who stand for the rights of Adivasis, Dalits, and the marginalised and express their dissent to the ruling powers of the country are being targeted.”
Fr Stan has consistently worked on various issues of the Adivasi communities on land rights, forest rights, labour rights, and representation of the community members in the state of Jharkhand. He has been vocal about the “indiscriminate” arrest of thousands of young Adivasis by the investigating agencies labelling them as extremist “Naxals”, and had filed a public interest petition in the Jharkhand High Court against the state, asking for all such undertrial prisoners to be released on a personal bond, and the conduct of a speedy trial.
In a press statement, the Jesuit Conference of South Asia called it “highly deplorable” that the octogenarian was taken from his residence in Ranchi to Mumbai despite the Jharkhand government’s directive that those above 60 years old may not venture in public because of the threat of Covid-19. Fr Stan had informed the officials that he is not in a condition to undertake such long travel considering his age and the pandemic, and that he is willing to subject himself to questioning over video conferencing.
Fr Stan was brought to the Sessions Court in Mumbai and then sent to Taloja jail. The Jesuit Conference of South Asia has called Monday, 12 October, a National Day of Solidarity for Fr Stan. They have also started a website and a petition for the release of Fr Stan, which people can sign here.