Fr. Stan Swamy’s fellow activist and friend talks about his time in jail, and of his work with and for tribals in Ranchi, Jharkhand, over a period of four decades
John Dayal, activist
Following the death of 84-year-old activist, Fr. Stan Swamy, on Monday, fellow activist John Dayal expressed anger, calling his death a judicial killing.
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Dayal, who was close to Swamy, said, “The celebration of the life of this frail man, his limbs quivering with the impact of his Parkinson’s ailment, will hold up a mirror to the government, its policies towards its people, the tribals and the poor; and how it is stealing the nation’s resources, which are also the very life of the tribals; and is gifting the resources away to crony capitalism and bartering away the future — for that is why Fr. Stan died.”
Dayal said that one of Swamy’s last messages from jail was — “What is happening to me is not something unique, happening to me alone. It is a broader process that is taking place all over the country. We are all aware how prominent intellectuals, lawyers, writers, poets, activists, student leaders — they are all put in jail just because they have expressed their dissent… I am ready to pay the price whatever may it be.”
Talking about Swamy’s early life and his work in tribals’ rights, Dayal said, “The Tamil Nadu-born Jesuit priest shifted out of the citadel of the church and its institutions to work with the tribals of central India, basing himself in Ranchi, Jharkhand for the last four decades of his life. As much a researcher and writer as he was a grassroots worker, he focussed on many issues of the adivasi communities, particularly on land, forest and labour rights. He questioned the non-implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which stipulates setting up of a Tribes Advisory Council with members solely of the adivasi community for their protection, well-being and development in the state.”
Talking about Swamy’s time in jail, Dayal said, “With his health failing due to the advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease, he was denied basic human dignity and facilities, including a simple water sipper as he could no longer hold a cup in his trembling hands. A man who could hardly move was systematically denied bail by various courts. The course of the various stages of his bail application, the manner in which the investigating agencies and the prosecution insisted he was too dangerous to be released, are ample evidence that the state wanted to make an example out of him, and the others arrested with him.”
The Jesuit Provincial of India said in a statement, “The Society of Jesus, at this moment, recommits itself to take forward the legacy of Fr. Stan in its mission of Justice and Reconciliation.”
He spent his life working for tribal rights
“I was the one present when Stan was arrested. Born in Tamil Nadu on April 26, 1937, he entered Jamshedpur Province of the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits to become a Jesuit priest and work in the tribal regions of what is now Jharkhand,” said David Solomon SJ, former Director of Bagaicha, a civil society organisation. Solomon added that Swamy chose to “dedicate his life to poor tribals after he was ordained priest on April 14, 1970.”
Swamy studied theology and did a Masters in Sociology at the University of Manila after joining the Jesuit order. Later, he studied at Brussels where he struck up a friendship with Archbishop Holder Camara whose work among Brazil’s poor influenced him.
From 1975 till 1986, he served as Director of the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute at Bangalore.
However, Jharkhand and work among the tribals of the state kept calling to Swamy and he came back 30 years ago to work with the adivasis. He took up the causes of tribals marginalised after their lands had been taken over for dams, mines and townships, often without their consent.
‘Shocked to learn about the demise of Father Stan Swamy. He dedicated his life working for tribal rights. I had strongly opposed his arrest & incarceration. The Union government should be answerable for absolute apathy and non provision of timely medical services, leading to his death’
Hemant Soren, Jharkhand CM
‘Deeply disturbed by the passing away of 84 year old tribal activist Stan Swamy. A ruthless & callous government that deprived him of dignity even while he was alive has blood on its hands. Absolutely shocked & appalled. May his soul rest in peace’
Mehbooba Mufti, PDP leader
‘Heartfelt condolences on the passing of Father Stan Swamy. He deserved justice and humaneness’
Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader
‘Deeply saddened by the passing of Fr.Stan Swamy. Unjustifiable that a man who fought all through his life for our society’s most downtrodden had to die in custody. Such travesty of justice should have no place in our democracy. Heartfelt condolences!’
Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala CM
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