Exactly five years ago, on 5 July 2021, Jesuit Father Stan Swamy was murdered. He was killed not for a crime, but for his convictions. He was killed because he refused to bow to a brutal, fascist regime. He was killed because he took an unwavering stand for justice and truth. He was killed because he chose to accompany the Adivasis and other subaltern communities in their struggle for a more dignified, equitable, and humane existence. He was killed because he would not compromise with corrupt, communal, and anti-people forces that subvert our constitutional order. Above all, he was killed because he believed in humanity and the power of ordinary people.
What his murderers never bargained for is that Stan the Martyr would never die. He lives on—in the hearts, souls, and minds of millions today and forever.
Though Stan is no longer physically with us, one cannot help but wonder: if he were alive today, what would he be doing?
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would be in the midst of the Adivasis. His life would be simple and frugal. He would eat their food, sing their songs, and dance with them. He would identify with them wholly. And yes, he would be angry when others tried to destroy their identity, culture, customs, traditions, and value systems. He would master their language and walk the talk alongside them.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would accompany the Adivasis and other subalterns in their relentless quest for justice. He would have no hesitation in confronting powerful, vested interests that deny Adivasis their legitimate jal, jungle, jameen (water, forest, land) rights. He would fearlessly expose profiteers who loot the nation's natural resources to amass scandalous wealth. He would challenge the system for destroying the environment and fragile ecosystems—in Jharkhand, the Aravalli hills, the Nicobar Islands, and beyond.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would fight for the land rights of the Adivasis. He would join Adivasis, Dalits, other subaltern groups, and civil society in opposing the violation of laws in acquiring land for mega projects, mining (which continues to ravage Jharkhand and other tribal areas), and infrastructure development that flouts the rights of the downtrodden. He would challenge corporate encroachments and raise his voice democratically against state-sponsored violations of law and assaults on people's democratic rights. He would question the non-implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and the near-ignorance of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA). He would express deep disappointment at the government's silence on the landmark 1997 Samantha judgment of the Supreme Court and its half-hearted action on the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He would voice his apprehension over the Jharkhand government's amendment to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013—a virtual death knell for Adivasi communities—and strongly oppose the creation of "Land Banks," which he saw as a calculated plot to annihilate them.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would be with the young. He would take seriously the letter (dated 24 May 2026) of Fr. Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Jesuits, who reminds us that we are missioned "to accompany young adults in their search for a hope-filled future. That search today is not an easy one. We are seeing a trampling on human rights, a disregard for our common home, the breakdown of international order, war, and a recklessness about human life at all its stages." Through the 'Persecuted Prisoners' Solidarity Committee,' Stan would challenge the indiscriminate arrest of thousands of young Adivasis branded as "Naxals" for merely questioning unjust land alienation and displacement. He would have supported the demands and initiatives of youths protesting—some even fasting—at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would openly oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He would regard it as a blatant attack on citizens and a gross violation of the constitutional guarantee of the right to franchise. He would be deeply concerned that thousands of Adivasis, minorities, and poor people are being systematically disenfranchised for want of "legitimate" documents. He would join civil society groups in protesting the SIR and highlighting mass disenfranchisement in West Bengal, Bihar, and elsewhere.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would stand with small farmers and ordinary workers. He would voice concern over how the three Central Farm Laws—though now on hold—were patently against small farmers. He would speak strongly against the four labour codes that have now become law, which pit small farmers and ordinary workers against powerful corporations.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would have welcomed Magnifica Humanitas, the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV. The encyclical makes an unequivocal and non-negotiable case for the protection and enhancement of human dignity, the inviolability of human rights, and the indispensability of justice and peace. Pope Leo writes, "Human rights are inviolable, since they are 'inherent in the human person and in human dignity.' Consequently, they are universal and inalienable. Precisely because they are grounded in the common dignity of every man and woman, they have practical consequences and legal effects, for 'it would be vain to proclaim human rights if, at the same time, everything was not done to ensure the duty of respecting them, respect by all, in all places and for all.'" Stan would say this is precisely what the Church should be doing.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would rededicate himself to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India. He would insist that justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity, unity, integrity, secularism, and pluralism are the values enshrined in it. He would advocate for the empowerment of women and their rightful, equal place in Parliament. He would decry delimitation and delisting as gross manipulations. He would insist that citizens have the right to dissent and voice protest against corruption, communalism, and corporatisation. And he would take on the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—the law that ensured his death and still keeps the likes of Umar Khalid and others illegally incarcerated.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would once again speak those immortal words he uttered before his arrest on 8 October 2020:
"Over the last two decades, I have identified myself with the Adivasi people and their struggle for a life of dignity and self-respect... In this process, I have clearly expressed my dissent over several policies and laws enacted by the government in light of the Indian Constitution. I have questioned the validity, legality, and justness of several steps taken by the government and the ruling class. If this makes me a 'deshdrohi,' then so be it. We are part of the process. In a way, I am happy to be part of this process. I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game and ready to pay the price, whatever it may be... I/we must be ready to face the consequences. I would just add that what is happening to me is not unique. Many activists, lawyers, writers, journalists, student leaders, poets, intellectuals, and others who stand for the rights of Adivasis, Dalits, and the marginalised and express their dissent to the ruling powers are being targeted. I am grateful to all who have stood in solidarity with me all these years."
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would challenge ME and YOU. In his own calm, gentle, unassuming way, he would say: "Wake up, now! It is high time you realise what is happening to this country and to our people. And do something about it—urgently and collaboratively!"
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today… but Stan Swamy never died. He lives forever.
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*Human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist, trainer, and writer
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