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.
---
*President, Progressive Organization of People (POP), Andhra Pradesh

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Health Day ads spark row as NAPi targets Britannia campaign, criticizes celebrity endorsement

By A Representative The advocacy group Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) has raised concerns over what it describes as misleading advertising of ultra-processed food products (UPFs), particularly those high in sugar, fat and salt, calling for stricter regulations and an end to such promotions across media platforms.

Search This Blog