On 5 July 2023, we, the Jesuits, friends, and collaborators remember and honour Fr. Stan Swamy on his 2nd death anniversary. It is ironic that Stan, who committed his life to the development and dignity of the Adivasis and to free undertrial Adivasi youth, who were falsely alleged and languishing in various prisons of Jharkhand, died as an undertrial himself in Holy Family Hospital Mumbai. While there could be multiple reasons for his death, the state cannot wash its hands and claim innocence. Stan’s death was an institutional murder. We demand justice from the state. We demand reparation and compensation for his death and the compensation could be utilised by Jharkhand state for the well-being of the Adivasis.
It is also a day to remember all BK16 (The social activists arrested in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon case). The first BK16 arrest took place on 6 June 2018. It is more than 5 years now. Except for 4, the rest are still in prison. Bail is not granted, and the state has not begun the trial. We demand the State repeal UAPA, free all political prisoners and grant bail to the BK16 immediately.
The BK16 case is only the tip of the iceberg of how the state deals with human rights defenders. Remember what Stan said, “Why Truth has become so bitter, Dissent so intolerable, Justice so out of reach”. The UAPA is directed to target human rights defenders. The rights and dignity of the poor all over the country are trampled upon by the State instead of protecting them. The peace-loving people of Manipur are added now.
In the words of Stan, “We are not silent spectators.” We want to speak the truth and demand justice and reconciliation as new pathways to protect India from all evil-minded forces. On this day, as we commemorate the 2nd death anniversary of Fr. Stan Swamy, we recommit ourselves to Walk with the poor, the excluded, the outcasts of the world, in a mission of reconciliation and justice. We invite and join all people of goodwill in this journey, and we want to sing in one voice in the words of Rabindranath Tagore – Into that heaven of freedom my father let my country awake.
-Stan Legacy Committee
