Remembering Fr. Swamy: The man who wasn’t afraid to speak up

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru:

On the first anniversary of Father Stan Swamy’s death on July 5, Dr Vasu remembers the priest who worked at the grassroots and became the voice of those who were not being heard — and who many believe was falsely implicated and unjustly incarcerated in the BK-16 case. "Wh a t eve r happened with Father Stan Swamy is only a symptom of the disease that has been bothering the whole country now. We can see the continuation in Teesta's arrest," said Dr Vasu.

Even though the ruling power doesn't enjoy the support of the majority of the country, with the intricacies of the parliamentary government they are ruling, he said. He added that UAPA is a colonial law, which is being made use of by the ruling regimes in India and that a colonial mindset is embedded in the government.

He was one of the country’s oldest prisoners charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, (UAPA) for his role in an alleged Maoist conspiracy that led to caste clashes near the Bhima Koregaon village four years ago. Swamy’s health had worsened relatively since he was held in judicial custody in Taloja jail.

His lawyers had repeatedly moved the court for bail, which was refused by the special NIA court and opposed by the state. He died in custody waiting for bail on July 5, 2021. "Forget about justice for his death, the case he was arrested under has hardly moved forward, and other accused continue to unjustly remain in jail", said Poorna from People's Union for Civil Liberties, Karnataka.

"This, even as the state is indiscriminately picking up all those who dare to speak truth to power. One can only hope that our struggles will help us reestablish the values of equality, justice and fraternity that Father Stand spent his entire life fighting for," she added.