Possessing extraordinary democratic trait, Fr Stan displayed absolute faith in people's rights

By Battini Rao*
Leading social activist and tribal rights movement leader Fr Stan Swami was arrested for a crime he did not commit by the BJP Central government. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) could not produce any logical or legally acceptable evidence against Fr Stan Swami or others co-accused in the Bhima Koregaon case. 

Although he was 84 years old and suffering from various diseases including Parkinson's and corona, he was killed without giving bail and timely medical treatment. It’s a judicial murder.

He fought for the democratic rights of thousands of tribal in Jharkhand who were imprisoned under black laws. He fought for all such under trial prisoners to be released on a personal bond, and the conduct of a speedy trial. He had also demanded the appointment of a judicial commission to investigate the reasons for delays in the trial process.
He campaigned against several anti-people policies of the government, and laws enacted in violation of the Constitution. His relentless struggle against fascist onslaughts is of paramount importance. His struggle has the power to inspire, kindle and mobilize the spirit of democracy among the people.
The Central government under BJP is eroding the constitutionally declared rights and freedoms of the people. Against this, whoever rises to defend the democratic rights of the people and to build the people's movements, the state under BJP is chasing and biting them. In fact, all the parties in power in the States, especially the BJP-led Central government, are brutally undermining democratic and civil rights.

Observing this, some of our friends believe that the rule of our country is still the same as the British rule, that foreign imperialist-feudal dictatorship continues to this day, and therefore there are no shades of democracy in the rule of the country. 

The fact is that the reign of the English and the kings of the day ended in 1947. In that place the rich class of our country -- the capitalist class came into power. This is the ‘democratic’ rule of the rich. This is the rule of Tata, Birla, Adani, and Ambani. Modi and Shah are only puppets of Adani and Ambani.
Under this regime the capitalists are getting all kinds of rights and freedoms to exploit the country; Wage slavery, poverty and Dictatorship are only available gifts to the working people and the poor, regardless of caste or religion. So it is a dictatorship rule of the rich, capitalists, corporates. Democratic rights and civil liberties are the ultimate enemies of these ruling classes, which defies and challenges them.

Progressive Organization of People remembers Fr Stan

It was for this reason that Fr Stan Swami, a humanist, democrat and dedicated social activist, became an enemy of this corporate state under BJP and became numb in the eye. His struggle was not a struggle for his selfish gain. He fought for the release of thousands of tribal people imprisoned under fascist black laws and for the protection of their democratic rights. The absolute faith he displayed in the rights of the people was a great extraordinary democratic trait.

He campaigned against several anti-people policies of the government, and laws enacted in violation of the Constitution

Everyone must recognize the fact that his struggle is for the rights and freedom of the oppressed and an important part of the people's movement against fascist rule. He continued his struggle even in captivity. Despite hundreds of attempts by the rulers, they failed to break his faith in democracy as long as he could breathe. 

His uncompromising struggles against political tyranny, social inequality and discrimination, his fighting spirit and hard work will keep his memories alive as a beacon of democracy for long in the minds of the people.
The struggles for the protection and expansion of democratic rights in a capitalist country are all part of the working people struggle. So wherever democratic rights are attacked, organizations of the oppressed and exploited must be at the forefront of mobilizing the masses against fascist attacks and organizing democratic movements as part of the anti-capitalist socialist movement.
Only these movements for the protection of democratic rights, the ideological conflict that continues in that process and the campaign can only raise the democratic consciousness and values among the people. 

 Through organizing powerful mass democratic movements against the fascist rule only can build the public consciousness, the conscious cohesive force of the people, necessary for radical change in society.
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*President, Progressive Organization of People (POP), Andhra Pradesh