In memory of Father Stan Swami

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 6

A gathering of more than 80 persons, including lawyers, teachers, writers, students, activists and civil society members of Chandigarh, today raised their voice against the death of 84-year-old human rights activist Father Stan Swami in custody yesterday.

The speakers, who were gathered at the Sector 17 Plaza, termed his death as the “merciless killing of a political prisoner”. Amandeep, a member of the PSU (Lalkaar), said: “Before his arrest eight months ago, Swami had explained in a video how he was being falsely framed in the Bima Koregaon case. He had also said that he was paying the price for raising voice for wrongly imprisoned adivasis. He stood by his words and fought against injustice till his last breath.”

“While we salute the sacrifice and spirit of Father Swami, we condemn the fascist Indian state that has kept activists like Swami in prisons without any trial and legal grounds,” she added.

Prof Chaman Lal, former Dean, faculty of languages, PU, equated Swami’s “killing” in the prison to the martyrdom of revolutionary Bhagat Singh’s comrade Jatin Das in 1929 in jail.

The speakers said, goverment of India and the entire judicial system should be held accountable for such atrocities and violations of human rights and civil liberties using black laws such as the UAPA.

They also lighted candles in the memory of Father Stan Swami.