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Remembering Stan Swamy. July 5, 2022

Remembering Stan Swamy. July 5, 2022

Click to enlarge posters

Ranchi

by Justice for Father Stan Swamy, Jharkhand


No Straws, No Bail, No Justice: Remembering Stan Swamy Who Died In Custody

05/07/2022

Live Law / by Areeb Uddin Ahmed

“When each dissenter is put behind bars, a thorn each is removed from the flesh of the ruling class.” – Late Father Stan Swamy.
On July 5, 2021, a year ago, the Bombay High Court was informed that tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy was no more and he passed away while being in custody in the Bhima Koregaon case. This happened after a month when he was admitted to private hospital in Mumbai, that too after the intervention of the High Court.
He arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on October 8, 2020, for his¯ alleged links in the Bhima Koregaon- Elgar Parishad caste violence, which he vehemently denied. At the age of 83 and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Father Stan claimed he had difficulty eating and and drinking in prison.
Read more


India: A year on, demand for justice for Father Stan Swamy’s death in custody

05/07/2022

By Amnesty International, International Secretariat

On 5 July 2021, 84-year-old Jesuit priest and human rights defender Father Stan Swamy died in judicial custody at the Holy Family Hospital, in Mumbai, India. On the first anniversary of his death, we, the 13 undersigned international and national human rights organisations, remember Stan Swamy’s decades-long commitment to realising the rights of Dalit and indigenous peoples in India, especially in Jharkhand State. We recall our demand for an independent and effective investigation into his death in custody and for the immediate and unconditional release of the 15 other prominent human rights defenders charged in the same case.
Read full AI statement


Remembering Indian Jesuit Stan Swamy, who died a prisoner

05/07/2022

UCA News / by Cedric Prakash

He had the courage to question, to act when he did not get the right answers. He paid the price with his life.
The celebrated Greek philosopher Aristotle developed the methodology of asking a question to ultimately arrive at the truth. Jesuit Father Stan Swamy, whose first death anniversary is on 5 July 2022, was no stranger to philosophy or the scientific method.
For years, he coached generations of young women and men, in social analysis. He taught them to ask questions to understand what is happening in society.  Besides, he had the courage to question; and he asked the most difficult and uncomfortable questions.
Read more


Indian Jesuit priest’s native village eternalize his martyrdom

05/07/2022

UCA News / by UCA News reporter

Residents of Virgalur in southern Tamil Nadu declare his death anniversary on July 5 as ‘Father Stan Swamy Day’
Every July 5 will be observed as ‘Father Stan Swamy Day’ in memory of the Indian Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist who died in jail on this day, declared residents of his native village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Read more


Letter by 12 Members of European Parliament

by Idoia Villanueva, Member of European Parliament
The situation of human rights defenders in India is very worrying. Today is the anniversary of the death in prison of HRD Stan Swamy, for which no one has been held accountable. We call on the President of India to launch an investigation and end the harassment of HRDs.


Video: Persecution of Religious Minorities and their Defenders in India

en | 1h 14min | 2022

By Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) Channel


An event commemorating the death in custody of Father Stan Swamy
Watch video


Elgar Parishad case accused fast on Fr Stan Swamy’s first death anniversary

06/07/2022

The Times of India / by Bella Jaisinghani

… His fellow prisoners in the Elgar case, activist Sudhir Dhawale, lawyers Surendra Gadling and Arun Ferreira, activists Mahesh Raut, Rona Wilson, Vernon Gonsalves, Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor, academicians Hany Babu and Anand Teltumbde and journalist Gautam Navlakha, observed a day’s hunger strike ‘satyagraha’ in Taloja jail against the “injustice” done to Fr Stan and “lack of treatment during his illness”. The jail denied there was such a protest.
The Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS) and St Peter’s Church, Bandra, organised a tribute in the church hall.
Read more


Bangalore

by AISA Karnataka

Civil society activists came together to remember Fr. Stan Swamy on his martyrdom day through a silent protest depicting the deteriorating democratic scenario in the country.
#RepealUAPA #ReleaseAllPoliticalPrisoners #ReleaseBK15

St. Joseph’s College of Law, Bangalore


by All India Lawyers Association For Justice (AILAJ)
In commemoration of the first death anniversary of Father Stan Swamy, AILAJ held a nationwide protest. As members of the legal fraternity, we cannot turn a blind eye or stay silent about the particularly alarming situation in the country.
Pics: Protest in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Statement by AILAJ


London

by Jesuits in Britain

Campaigners from @JesuitMissions @JesuitsBritain have marched through London and held a prayer vigil outside the Indian High Commission to remember Father Stan Swamy, who died in Indian custody one year ago after false accusations of terrorism.



Announcements of Events Commemorating Father Stan’s Death in Custody

Announcements of Events Commemorating Father Stan’s Death in Custody


Justice march in Stan’s memory

03/07/2022

The Telegraph / by Animesh Biosee

Memorandum will demand release of all human rights activists arrested in Elgaar Parishad and revocation of the UAPA cases.
Civil rights outfits along with like-minded political outfits will take out a Nyaya March (march for justice) in Ranchi on July 5 to mark the first death anniversary of octogenarian Jesuit priest and human rights defender Stan Swamy.
Read more


Video: Persecution of Religious Minorities and their Defenders in India – Commemorating Father Stan’s Death in Custody

28/06/2022

By Hindus for Human Rights

Join us to mark the 1-year anniversary of Father Stan’s passing and hear from lawmakers from across the world, the UN, & Adivasi activists.
About this event
Join an international coalition of human rights organizations to mark the first anniversary of Father Stan Swamy’s passing. At this virtual event, we will hear from lawmakers from Australia, Canada, the European Parliament, the UK, and the US, as well as top officials from the UN. The event will also feature the voices of Adivasi (Indigenous) leaders, alongside whom Father Stan lived and worked for decades.

Video: Persecution of Religious Minorities and their Defenders in India

By Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) Channel

en | 1h 14min | 2022

Watch video


July 5: London, Anniversary Mass and Vigil for Fr Stan Swamy SJ

29/06/2022

By Jesuit Missions UK

A special Mass and Vigil to mark the first anniversary of the death of Fr Stan Swamy will take place in London on Tuesday, 5 July.
Mass will be celebrated at 13.05 in Farm Street Church, Mayfair, by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ. At 13.35 there will be a Solidarity Walk from Farm Street to the Indian High Commission.
Read more


July 9: Lecture: Democracy & Human Rights Defenders

01/07/2022

NCHRO @NCHROofficial / by ISI Bengaluru

Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru is delighted to invite you to Volken-Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture on “Democracy & Human Rights Defenders”. The lecture will be delivered by Adv.Vrinda Grover and chaired by Adv. Henri Tiphagne.
Register

Maharashtra MLC met Sagar Gorkhe in jail / On 7th day of his hunger strike Sagar Gorkhe called it off

Maharashtra MLC met Sagar Gorkhe in jail / On 7th day of his hunger strike Sagar Gorkhe called it off

Bhima Koregaon accused calls off hunger strike

28/05/2022

The Hindu / by Sonam Saigal

Sagar Gorkhe began “fast unto death” on May 20 alleging harassment by jail authorities.
Bhima Koregaon accused Sagar Gorkhe called off his hunger strike on Friday after Member of Legislative Council Kapil Patil met him at Taloja Central Jail.
Read more


Maharashtra MLC to meet Bhima Koregaon accused Sagar Gorkhe in jail

27/05/2022

The Hindu / by Sonam Saigal

He has been on an indefinite hunger strike alleging harassment by jail authorities.
Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Kapil Patil will visit the Taloja Central Jail to meet Bhima Koregaon accused Sagar Gorkhe, who is on an indefinite hunger strike alleging harassment by jail authorities.
Read more


Also read:
Hunger Strike unto death against the harassment from Taloja Central Jail’s apathetic administration (By Sagar Gorkhe / May 20)

Hunger Strike unto death against the harassment from Taloja Central Jail’s apathetic administration

Hunger Strike unto death against the harassment from Taloja Central Jail’s apathetic administration

By Sagar Tatyaram Gorakhe

To,

Honourable Home Minister,

State of Maharashtra,
Home Department, Mantralaya
Mumbai
Hunger Strike unto death against the harassment from Taloja Central Jail’s apathetic administration.

Subject:

Sir,

I, Sagar Tatyaram Gorakhe, am a Political Prisoner under the Elgar Parishad Bhima Koregao Case, and have been locked up in the Taloja Central Jail since September 2020. It is with extreme distress that I inform you that since the very beginning the prison administration has treated the Bhima Koregao Case accused with utmost prejudice. As a result, the prison has become a torture camp for my co-accused and me. As you must be aware that it was the maltreatment by the prison administration that led to the custodial death of Father Stan Swami last year. Even today our basic human rights are being trampled over every day in the prison. It is because the situation has become absolutely unbearable that I must resort to an agonising hunger strike in protest.

Read More Read More

Sagar Gorkhe announces fast unto death, Gautam Navlakha approaches NIA court seeking mosquito net

Sagar Gorkhe announces fast unto death, Gautam Navlakha approaches NIA court seeking mosquito net


File pic: Sagar Gorkhe

Accused Sagar Gorkhe goes on hunger strike against jail authorities

25/05/2022

Sabrangindia / by Sabrangindia

Accused alleges harassment by jail authorities and denial of basic facilities, Co-accused Gautam Navlakha seeks special court’s permission to use a mosquito net
Sagar Gorkhe, a cultural activist who has been locked up in the Taloja Central Jail since September 2020 as a virtual political prisoner in the Elgar Parishad Bhima Koregaon case, has now gone on hunger strike to protest his inhuman treatment in jail. Gorkhe has written to Maharashtra’s Home Minister, informing him about his decision that he was forced to take due to Taloja Central Jail allegedly harassing him and denying him his basic human rights.
Read more


As Sagar Gorkhe announces fast unto death, Gautam Navlakha approaches NIA court seeking mosquito net

25/05/2022

The Leaflet / by Sabah Gurmat

Gorkhe’s letter to Maharashtra Home Minister, Dilip Walse Patil, equates the conditions in Taloja jail to that of a “torture camp”.
SAGAR Gorkhe, an activist and performer with cultural troupe Kabir Kala Manch, accused of inciting violence in the Bhima Koregaon (Elgar Parishad) case, has written to Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil announcing his hunger strike in protest against the conditions at Taloja jail.
Meanwhile, septuagenarian activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha, who is a co-accused lodged in the same prison, approached the National Investigation Agency (‘NIA’) seeking a mosquito net.
Read more


Elgar Parishad accused alleges harassment by Taloja jail officer

25/05/2022

Mid-day.com / by Faizan Khan

Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe has written to the state home minister Dilip Walse Patil, threatens to go on an indefinite hunger strike if action is not taken immediately.
Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe, an accused in Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon accused, has written to Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, alleging harassment by the Taloja Jail superintendent. He has threatened to go on a hunger strike until death.
“It is with extreme distress that I inform you that since the very beginning the prison administration has treated the Bhima Koregaon case accused with utmost prejudice. As a result, the prison has become a torture camp for my co-accused and me. As you must be aware that it was the maltreatment by the prison administration that led to the custodial death of Father Stan Swami last year,” his letter reads.
Read more


Jail officials delaying treatment to all Elgar Parishad case accused: Sagar Gorkhe writes to HM

24/05/2022

Hindustan Times / by HT Correspondent

He has also urged the home minister to immediately stop the scanning of all incoming and outgoing mail by the jail officials.
Sagar Gorkhe, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case, has written to state home minister Dilip Walse-Patil alleging that Taloja jail authorities are discriminating against several accused in the case and deliberately delaying medical treatment to them even though they are suffering from several serious ailments.
Read more


Video Statement by Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor (Sep 5, 2020)


hindi/ english subtitles | 2:20min | 2020

Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor have alleged that they’re being forced by the NIA to give confessional statements, claiming they are a part of Maoist organization. The two refused, and were arrested in The Bhima Koregaon case.
Their statement was recorded on Sep 5, 2020.
Watch their statement


Also read/watch:
Kabir Kala Manch: A History of Revolutionary Singing and State Repression (ritimo / April 2022)
Video: Dafachya Talavar (Songs of Defiance) | Hindi, Marthi (subtitles: English) | 24:01min | 2022

Protest for release of activists

Protest for release of activists

Left groups protest across Punjab, seek to revive spirit of Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom

17/04/2022

Counterview / by Harsh Thakor

Despite political change of guards, which brought Aam Aadmi Party to power, recent events suggest that Left-wing forces of different shades appear to be steadily gaining ground in Punjab.
… Held on April 8 in Singrur on the very day Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru flung a bomb in the parliament house to symbolise liberation from colonial slavery, the Kirti Kisan Union, Punjab Students Union, Naujwan Bharat Sabha and Zameen Prapti Sangharsh demanded unconditional release of political prisoners. Speakers summarised how activists like Gautam Navlakha , GN Saibaba, Rona Wilson, Anand Teltumbde, Varavara Rao, Umar Khalid, Sudha Bharadwaj, Devinder Ghullar etc. were branded for waging a conspiracy against the state as they were posing a question to the autocratic character of the rulers or confronting fascism.
Read more


Protest for release of activists

09/04/2022

Times of India / by TNN

The farmer and student organisations protested in Faridkot on Friday for the release of those who have completed their sentences and of activists who have been arrested on flimsy grounds. Activists of Kirti Kisan Union, Naujwan Bharat Sabha and Punjab Students Union raised slogans for the release of Prof GN Saibaba, Anand Teltumbde, Gautam Navlakha, Umar Khalid, Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and others.
Read more


Left leaders protest, seek release of political prisoners

08/04/2022

Tribune of India / by Tribune News Service

Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) New Democracy on Friday held a protest against the non-release of Sikh prisoners who had completed their sentences and imprisonment of political prisoners, intellectuals, writers, journalists and activists in false cases.
Read more

21 European MPs Express Concern at Treatment of Rights Activists / Solidarity at International Women’s Day

21 European MPs Express Concern at Treatment of Rights Activists / Solidarity at International Women’s Day

21 European MPs Write to Modi Expressing Concern at Treatment of Rights Activists

08/03/2022

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

The MEPs highlighted three particular cases: the arrest of 16 activists in the Elgar Parishad case, the arrest of 13 activists in connection with the protests against the CAA and the detention of Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez.
Read more


by FLD Brussels (March 8)

Members of @Europarl_EN sent a letter to high level authorities in #India raising the alarm over the dramatic escalation in arrests of HRDs under the #UAPA, incl the #BhimaKoregaon case, CAA protesters & #KhurramParvez, which they condemn in the strongest terms.

Read full letter & signatories at the website of MP Alviina Alametsä
Read full letter

click to enlarge

Rally at International Women’s Day, Berlin (Germany)

08/03/2022

By India Justice Project

On #InternationalWomensDay we remember especially the #womenpoliticalprisoners incarcerated by the Indian govt. In speaking out against their imprisonment, we speak out, too, for the multitudes of people whose struggles they have taken on and carry forward.

Banner: Free all political prisoners in India
Human Rights Day: BK16 Solidarity (in pictures) / Is there really cause for celebration?

Human Rights Day: BK16 Solidarity (in pictures) / Is there really cause for celebration?

Raipur and Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)

10/12/2021

By PUCL Chhattisgarh

PUCL Chhattisgarh together with several other unions and organisations organised events in Raipur and Bilaspur on the occasion of Human Rights day. Over 200 people were present in both cities. They also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and governor of the state
Read PUCL press release (hindi)

click to enlarge

Worldwide Campaign

‘Speaking Up Is Not Anti-National’: Global Groups Condemn Attacks on India’s Rights Defenders

10/12/2021

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

‘Every single government authority, whose job it is to safeguard human rights, has actively undermined them.’
The Indian diaspora and 30 international human rights groups across over 15 countries on Friday – on the occasion of Human Rights Day – came together for a global campaign to condemn growing attacks on human rights in India. In a statement, they advocated for the repeal of laws that are criminalising the defence of human rights and jailing human rights defenders in the country.
Read more


Berlin and Goettingen, Germany

10/12/2021

India Justice Project (IJP) & IndienKoGruppe

Through an interactive street performance on 10 December, International Human Rights Day, at Rathaus Neukoelln in Berlin, the India Justice Project called for solidarity with imprisoned human rights defenders in India.
Read IJP press release

click to enlarge

 

 

Goettingen


Release intellectuals, writers arrested under UAPA: Farm outfit

11/12/2021

Times of India / by Neel Kamal

Hours before winding up the year-long farmers’ protest at the Delhi borders, farmer organisation BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) on Friday observed the international human rights day and demanded the release of all intellectuals and writers arrested under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Bhima Koregaon, Elgar Parishad case and Delhi riots cases.
Read more


Video


By Neha Dixit (Dec 11)
+++ The fabulous Navsharan Singh speaks of Sudha Bharadwaj’s release as several women farmers gather at the Bibi Gulaab Kaur stage to wrap up the 15 month long protest and return home victorious +++
Watch video


Human Rights Day: Is there really cause for celebration?

10/12/2021

Bar & Bench / by Areeb Uddin Ahmed, Aditya AK

In the face of what has come to pass in the recent past, as human rights continue to be sacrificed at the altar of national security and other reasons, we ask ourselves whether there really is cause for celebration.
Every December 10 is celebrated as Human Rights Day, in honour of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document that serves as the blueprint for the freedoms assured to persons across the world.
Read more

Rally for the release of Gautam Navlakha held in Canada

Rally for the release of Gautam Navlakha held in Canada

Rally for the release of Gautam Navlakha held in Canada

01/11/2021

Countercurrents.org / by Radical Desi

On the 37th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide, South Asian activists gathered in Surrey to raise their voices for a jailed Indian scholar, who was behind documenting the tragedy and exposing those involved.
Gautam Navlakha was arrested on trumped up charges in April 2020, and is currently lodged in jail near Mumbai. His only crime is daring to question the powerful, and always standing up for the minorities and the oppressed.
Read more


Man behind early authentic field report on Sikh Genocide is in jail; will the world take notice?

24/10/2021

Straight.com / by Gurpeet Singh

Gautam Navlakha has consistently spoken out on behalf of people being persecuted in India.
As we approach the first week of November, marking the 37th anniversary of the Sikh massacre in India, a scholar who helped document the tragedy is struggling for his release from an Indian jail.
Gautam Navlakha, who was arrested in April 2020 on trumped-up charges along with other prominent scholars and social-justice activists, is currently lodged in prison near Mumbai. His only crime is that he dared to question the powerful and has always stood up for minorities and the oppressed.
Read more

We salute Sudha Bharadwaj and her fight for Justice (various statements)

We salute Sudha Bharadwaj and her fight for Justice (various statements)

PUCL salutes Sudha Bharadwaj and her fight for Justice!

01/11/2021

By People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)

Click to enlarge

Chhattisgarh, Nov 1, 2021


Video (3min): Song by CMM comrades


Watch video 1

Video (1:30min): Slogans by PCSS comrades


Watch video 2


#ReleaseSudhaBharadwak (Nov 1)

by Indira Jaising

by Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA) Raipur
When the government doesn’t have an answer to the storm of questions raised against it, it resorts to arresting those speaking the truth fearlessly. Shame! #ReleaseSudhaBhardwaj #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners #RepealUAPA

by Tribal Army
We demand human rights activist sudha Bhardwaj to be released.
Happy Birthday Madam

by NAPM India
#SudhaBharadwaj is one of the finest trade unionists & public spirited lawyers who has always taken on unjust & powerful forces. We wish Sudha real liberation on her 60th. #3years of her incarceration & that of all political prisoners is a shame, a huge loss & unforgivable crime.

by Meera Sanghamitra
Working silently, yet resiliently for over three decades amidst adivasis, workers & oppressed sections in #Chhattisgarh, #Sudha has inspired an entire generation to understand the combined value of legal activism & on-ground unionizing. Happy birthday, Comrade. You are a star.

by Meena Kanasamy
History will remember her as a fierce lioness who stood up to this regime.

Chitrangada
It’s her 60th birthday tday & she is spending it in prison, where she has been since 3+ yrs, without bail or trial.
The Bombay HC finished hearing her last bail plea on 4th Aug. Still no ruling.

by AISA Delhi Universtity

Sudha Bharadwaj goes through her 4th birthday in Jail for fighting for the rights of people! While Criminals like Anurag Thakura and Kapil Mishra are not only Roaming free but are being awarded Ministries by the Government! #ReleaseAllPoliticalPrisoners #releaseBK16 #RepealUAPA

by CIVICUS

Today human rights lawyer & activist Sudha Bharadwaj will celebrate her 60th birthday in prison She was arrested on fabricated charges 3 years ago and has been denied bail. Call on the govt to #FreeSudhaBharadwaj immediately: https://web.civicus.org/India1121 | #StandAsMyWitness

#ReleaseSudhaBharadwaj


Release All Political Prisoners & Revoke UAPA

29/10/2021

By TribalSpaces

Click to enlarge