The death of Stan Swamy, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, has triggered a storm on social media with the likes of historian Ramachandra Guha equating the death of the tribal rights activist as a case of judicial murder.
The death of Stan Swamy, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, has triggered a storm on social media with the likes of historian Ramachandra Guha equating the death of the tribal rights activist as a case of judicial murder.
Stan Swamy was arrested by the NIA from Ranchi on October 8 and brought to Mumbai the next day. The agency booked him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and terror-related offences of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The central agency had claimed that Stan Swamy had helped the cause of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) through various civil rights organisations he worked with. The central agency also claimed that it has sufficient evidence to prima facie prove that Stan Swamy was part of the conspiracy to instigate caste violence in the Bhima Koregaon village near Pune in 2018.
The 84-year-old was said to be suffering from several ailments, including Parkinson's disease. Stand Swamy had moved the High Court earlier this year seeking medical treatment and interim bail. He had tested positive for coronavirus at a private hospital in June and was subsequently shifted to the ICU.
After his arrest last year, Swamy requested a sipper and a straw to eat due to Parkinson's disease. It took Taloja jail authorities more than four weeks to fulfil the request.
Swamy was hospitalised in May following directions from the high court. He was in the Intensive Care Unit and was put on a ventilator on Sunday after he had difficulty breathing and his oxygen levels fluctuated.
His death has now prompted many prominent blue-tick Twitter users to criticise the judiciary and the central government.
Father Stan Swamy spent a lifetime working for the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. His tragic death is a case of judicial murder, for which the Home Ministry and the Courts are jointly culpable.
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha)
Father Stan Swamy, we as a country killed you. My head hangs in shame. Rest in peace Father, hero, champion of human rights.
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub)
Absolutely tragic: Father Stan Swamy has passed away. Court which was hearing his bail has been informed. An 84 year old arrested under UAPA by a mighty Indian state that saw him a ‘terrorist’ because he had spent a lifetime working amongst tribals. Cry for Stan India!RIP🙏
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep)
84-year-old Jesuit Father has passed away. Let us not talk about this as mere death. This is a judicial murder--and everyone is complicit: NIA, Modi- Shah, the judiciary that never saw the nonsense-upon-stilts which was Bhima Koregaon case, jails, ruling class & media pic.twitter.com/P8x2PHhBce
— Meena Kandasamy | #BJPKilledStanSwamy (@meenakandasamy)
Who in the apparatus of the Indian state will be held responsible for this tragedy? Make no mistake — it is the Indian state that killed Fr. Stan Swamy, who was such a passionate crusader for social justice. https://t.co/gAbZL2Y8aI
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh)
It’s over. Modi & Shah have accomplished the custodial killing of the gentle Jesuit social worker Fr Stan Swamy, who spent his life serving the oppressed. I hope the judges who denied him bail never get to sleep at night: they have blood on their hands. https://t.co/yp8Wi3SEh1
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan)
This is nothing less than murder by the State of one of the gentlest & kindest men I have known. Unfortunately our judicial system is also complicit in thishttps://t.co/r7DPK2DH87
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1)
Deeply pained & outraged at the death of Father Stan Swamy.
A jesuit priest & social activist he tirelessly helped the marginalised.
Draconian UAPA custody, inhuman treatment since October 2020 with no charge established.
Accountability must be fixed for this murder in custody. pic.twitter.com/iQ8XrfRb9n