Father Stan Swamy remains critical: doctors

A Catholic priest holds a placard with the image of Fr Stan Swamy during a protest. File/AFP

Father Stan Swamy, 84, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, remains critical as he was readmitted to the ICU last Tuesday, doctors treating him at Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, said. Fr Swamy was shifted to the hospital from Taloja jail on May 29 after he tested positive for Covid-19. Fr Stan has Parkinson's disease and bilateral hearing loss.

A doctor treating Fr Swamy said, "He has been in and out of the ICU. While we shifted him to the ward a week back, we had to move him to the ICU on June 29. He has Supraventricular tachycardia (abnormally fast or erratic heartbeat) and has also been diagnosed with depression."

On Sunday, messages requesting prayers for the speedy recovery of Fr Swamy kept circulating in the Catholic community as news of him being in critical condition and on ventilator support spread.

Catholic priests and nuns protest against the arrest of Father Stan Swamy. File/AFP

"We are deeply pained to hear that Fr Stan is suffering from poor health. We pray for his speedy recovery," said advocate Sunita Banis, Member of Association of Concerned Catholics.

AOCC said they demand justice for Fr Stan. "We wish to express our deep concern with the ongoing and unjust detention of Fr Stan Swamy. For 50 years, he worked tirelessly for the poor and marginalised communities in India, especially its indigenous people (Adivasis). Fr Stan is being wrongly accused because of his opposition to government policies that affect the rights of the adivasis. His arrest has been condemned globally. We demand the authorities release Fr Stan immediately. We pray to the Almighty that justice prevails," said Banis.