Demanding 'accountability' for the death of Father Stein Swamy in custody
The Indian government has been sharply criticized over the death in custody of 84-year-old Indian human rights activist and Christian preacher Stan Swamy. Swami's death is being described as 'murder', 'tragedy' and 'unforgivable'.
Various political and social parties in India, including the United Nations and the European Union, as well as human rights organizations, have demanded "accountability" for Stan Swamy's death in custody. He died in custody at a Mumbai hospital on Monday.
Father Stan Swamy, a tribal rights activist, was arrested last year under the anti-terrorism law. He was accused in 2018 of allegedly belonging to a banned left-wing extremist group. However, he has always denied the allegation and the intelligence agencies have not been able to provide any evidence so far.
Father Swamy was suffering from Parkinson's disease in a Mumbai jail. He was also coded in jail and was admitted to a hospital two days ago. News of his death reached the court at a time when his bail plea was being adjourned once again for Tuesday, July 6. Earlier, the court had rejected several bail pleas.
Along with Swamy, 16 others were arrested in the Elgar Parishad case. Including many prominent social workers and journalists.
On the death of Father Stein Swamy, his family issued a statement expressing concern for the health and lives of other jailed workers.
The statement said, "When he was lodged in Navi Mumbai's Taluja Central Jail, his death sentence was actually announced at the same time. His death has shaken us all." This is not a natural death but an institutional murder of a compassionate man, involving a heartless state. "The statement added," Dedicate your life to the struggle for the rights of the tribes in Jharkhand. Father Stein did not deserve such a death. "
The European Union and the United Nations have also reacted strongly
Apart from India, there has been a strong reaction from other parts of the world to the death in custody of Father Stein Swamy.
"The news from India is shocking," Marie Lawler, the UN special envoy for human rights, said in a tweet. Father Stan Swamy, a human rights activist and Christian preacher, was arrested nine months ago on false terrorism charges. His arrest is unforgivable. "
"We are saddened by the death of Father Stein Swamy," said Ayman Gilmore, the EU's special envoy for human rights. He was a champion of tribal rights. He died in custody. The European Union (EU) has repeatedly raised the issue with Indian authorities.
India has not yet commented
According to Reuters, India's National Investigation Agency, which is prosecuting Stan Swamy, did not respond to a request for comment. The Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry have not yet commented.
During previous court hearings, the government had denied any wrongdoing in prison with Stan Swamy, saying the law should be allowed to do its job.
However, the government was severely criticized when Stan Swamy had to apply to the court for a sipper to drink water and the court took twenty days to allow it. Stan Swamy could not hold the glass properly due to tremors in his hands due to Parkinson's disease.
Stan Swamy had said during a video conference hearing on his bail plea that his condition was deteriorating and he could die soon.
Stan Swamy's death has drawn strong criticism from various political and social parties, as well as human rights organizations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet on Swamy's death, "He deserved justice and humane treatment." Former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha called his death a "murder" and said, "We know that. Who is responsible for this? "
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi wrote, "It is a great tragedy that a man who has always stood up for the rights of the poor and tribals was deprived of justice and human rights even at the time of his death." Historian Ram Chand Goha called Father Swamy's death a "tragedy." He wrote, "This is a tragedy. This is a case of judicial murder, for which both the Interior Ministry and the court are responsible."
Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the left-wing Marxist Communist Party, expressed outrage, saying, "Since October 2020, they have been treated inhumanely under a black law like the UAPA without charge." There should be accountability for this murder in custody. "
Former Supreme Court Judge Madan B. Lokor wrote in an article that he had been monitoring the case from the beginning. "The whole matter seems to be that without indicting Stan Swamy and anyone else. He was apparently sentenced to death without trial. I don't know if their souls will find peace or not, but I hope it will. I think they are saying, "God forgive these people because they did not know what they were doing." (The historic phrase of the Lord Jesus Christ before he went to the cross. Had said)
Emmanual Rafail
(Courtesy: Javed Akhtar New Delhi)
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