Father Stan Swamy, a tribal rights activist, and the Jesuit priest died on July 5, 2021, at a private hospital in Mumbai, just hours before his interim bail hearing. The 84-year-old campaigner, who had Parkinson’s illness, was one of several intellectuals being held in judicial custody for their alleged role in the Bhima Koregaon tragedy.

Father Stanislaus Lourduswami, better known as Fr. Stan Swamy, was born on April 26, 1937, in Viragalur village near Pullambadi in the Tiruchi district. He attended St. Joseph’s College Higher Secondary School. From 1975 to 1986, Swamy was the director of the Bangalore-based Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute. He had raised concerns about the Constitution’s Fifth Schedule, which calls for the establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council comprised primarily of Adivasi people for the Adivasi community’s security, well-being, and development in the state.

Although this made him popular with the Adivasis, he fought strong political forces. He also pushed to get the Panchayats [PESA] Act, adopted in 1996 to provide Adivasis with a stronger say.

Bagicha, the NGO which he helped to detect, indicating among other things that these subjects languished in prison even if the penalties for their prosecution were still pending for three to four years, was presented for the case of young Adivasis demanding their early release.

In connection with Bhima Koregaon’s case, two days before NIA’s arrest, the Jesuit priest claimed to have strict rules, such as the UAPA being utilized in video messages to arrest tribals “indiscriminately.” The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an accusation on 9 October last year for its suspected role in the incitement of the mob to violence in Bhima Koregaon close by Pune on 1 January 2018 against 8 individuals, including Father Stan Swamy.

Swamy was detained in his house at Ranchi on October 8, 2020, a cancer sufferer, who was also affected by Parkinson’s disease. Although he never had protested to Bhima Koregaon he was still taken to Mumbai and subjected to judicial detention. He was brought before the Court to Mumbai.He was possibly the oldest man to be accused under the UAPA (UAPA), officials reported at the time.

Swamy had broadcasted a video in advance of his detention that NIA had interviewed him and questioned him for fifteen hours over five days.

“I have never been to Bhima Koregaon for which I am being accused,” he said.

“What is happening to me is not something unique or happening to me alone, it is a broader process taking place all over the country. We all are aware how prominent intellectuals, lawyers, writers, poets, activists, student leaders are all put in jail because they have expressed their dissent or raised questions about the ruling powers of India,” Swamy had said in the video.

He had stated that he is a part of “the process” and that he is delighted to be so because he is no longer a bystander but rather a participant in the game.

“I am ready to pay the price whatever be it,” Swamy had said.

Fr. Stan Swamy for all his life fought for the rights of underprivileged and always stood up for them.The feeble 83-year-old had made up accusations against him. He did, however, have a steel core, an unbreakable strength that comes from moral conviction and a commitment to truth and the helpless.

More than his deteriorating health, what stood out about him, as it usually did, was his ability to remain strong and confident.

Fr. Stan has left an indelible mark on the world. We will be paying honour to him and India’s founding fathers and standing in solidarity with all human rights advocates if we recognise the importance of our Constitution and continue to safeguard its values.

Keep reading successyeti.com

Also Read: 4 Books To Look Out For To Find Inner Peace