Hunger strike and protests mark fourth anniversary of Fr. Stan Swamy’s death

On the fourth anniversary of the death of Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Fr. Stan Swamy, a one-day hunger strike was observed on Friday by his co-accused in the Bhima Koregaon–Elgar Parishad case. The protest was held in memory of Fr. Stan, who died in custody on July 5, 2021, amid allegations of medical neglect and institutional repression.

Fr. Stan, who was 84 at the time of his death, had been arrested in October 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the Elgar Parishad event and alleged links with banned Maoist organisations. His arrest and subsequent death while awaiting bail drew wide condemnation from human rights groups, the United Nations, and civil society across the world.

In a joint statement circulated by fellow under-trial prisoners and rights activists, the protesters alleged that Fr. Stan’s death was an example of "state-sponsored institutional murder" and part of a larger pattern of targeting those who speak out against displacement, exploitation, and human rights violations, particularly in tribal and marginalised communities.

The statement recounted how Fr. Stan had campaigned against the displacement of Adivasis from their land due to mining, dams, and industrial projects. He had documented arrests of tribal youth and filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Jharkhand High Court on behalf of thousands of undertrial Adivasis, many accused of being Maoists.

Organisers of the hunger strike also alleged worsening repression under the current regime, accusing the government of facilitating corporate resource extraction at the cost of indigenous rights. They referred to increasing surveillance, arrests, and detentions of activists, including those opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and those associated with tribal, Dalit, and workers' movements.

Activists cited other cases of alleged medical neglect and custodial death, including that of Saquib Nachan in Tihar Jail, to highlight what they described as a broader failure to uphold prisoners’ rights and health.

Memorial events in Fr. Stan’s honour, including protests, public meetings, and vigils, were planned across several Indian cities. Protesters reiterated their commitment to carry forward the values and struggles he stood for.

Fr. Stan Swamy remains a symbol of resistance for many, remembered not only for his advocacy but also for his solidarity with India’s most marginalised communities.

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