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Category: Solidarity

India’s President Droupadi Murmu and ‘an Unbroken History of Broken Promises’ – by Suhda Bharadwaj

India’s President Droupadi Murmu and ‘an Unbroken History of Broken Promises’ – by Suhda Bharadwaj

Sudha Bharadwaj

The Quint / by Sudha Bharadwaj

Draupadi Murmu has difficult tasks cut out for her if she is to protect rights and ensure justice to the Adivasis.
The reference in the headline is to the passionate essay by the late Dr BD Sharma of the same title. The continuing criminalisation of the Adivasi peoples is seen even in the 75th year of our Independence.
In the past couple of weeks, several very important events have taken place that will deeply affect the Adivasi people of our country.
Read more


Also read:
● Now that an Adivasi is president, will Big Media finally report on Adivasi issues? (Newslaundry / July 2022)
● Jailed Or Punished, With Or Without Trial: How The State Misuses The Law Against India’s Inconvenient Citizens (article 14 / July 2022)
● Narendra Modi’s Government Is Using False Charges of Terrorism to Repress Its Opponents (Jacobin.com / April 2022)
● Organisation In Jharkhand Is Holding The State Accountable (YKA / April 2022)
● Gadchiroli’s 300 Gram Sabhas Pass Resolution in Support of Activist Mahesh Raut (The Wire / Oct 2018)
● Press Release Of The Joint Fact Finding in Gadchiroli by CDRO, IAPL And WSS (WSS / May 2018)

Activists press for repeal of UAPA / UAPA Case Data Suggests That Process Is Indeed the Punishment

Activists press for repeal of UAPA / UAPA Case Data Suggests That Process Is Indeed the Punishment

Andhra Pradesh: Activists press for repeal of UAPA

20/07/2022

The Hindu / by Special Correspondent

‘Its provisions being misused to muzzle voices of those who opposed atrocities against people of weaker sections’
Activists under the banner of the UAPA Repeal Agitation Committee staged a demonstration in front of the Prakasam Bhavan here on Tuesday demanding the repeal of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Leading the protest, Organisation for Protection of Democracy(OPDR) State president Ch. Sudhakar contended that the Act, misused to slap cases against activists in the Bhima Koregaon case, was more draconian than the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities(prevention) ACT(TADA), and urged the Supreme Court to give a direction to the Centre for its repeal.
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UAPA Case Data Suggests That Process Is Indeed the Punishment

20/07/2022

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

Data revealed by the Union home ministry in the Rajya Sabha showed that 97.5% of people arrested under UAPA between 2016 and 2020 have been imprisoned for multiple years while waiting for trial.
Figures released by the Union home ministry in the Rajya Sabha have backed up the belief that the ‘process is the punishment‘, especially when cases are registered under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Read more


Also watch:

Repeal UAPA – Persecution by Prosecution (PUCL, Jan 2021)

Three Day consultation
► Repeal UAPA – Day One (video: en + … | 2h 17min)
► Repeal UAPA – Day Two (video: en +… | 2h 22min)
► Repeal UAPA – Day Three (video: en + … | 2h 51min)

Video: Online discussion on Anand Teltumbde – Decoding Strategies of Resistance

Video: Online discussion on Anand Teltumbde – Decoding Strategies of Resistance

en | 1h 55min | 2022

By National Campaign to Defend Democracy

July 15, 2022 marks the third birthday that Anand Teltumbde spends in prison.
On the occasion of his birthday, the National Campaign to Defend Democracy organized a discussion about his contributions as an activist, scholar and a public intellectual.

Watch the panel discussion @ PUCL fb page

Why Anand Teltumbde Matters – My Birthday Wish To A Caged Bird

Why Anand Teltumbde Matters – My Birthday Wish To A Caged Bird

YKA / by Ashwin Narayanan

“I am off to NIA custody and do not know when I shall be able to talk to you again. However, I earnestly hope that you will speak out before your turn comes.” 
Two years ago, I read these stinging lines from Professor Anand Teltumbde’s letter (on The Wire’s website) on the eve of his arrest. Prof. Anand is a scholar, writer, civil rights activist and management professor. He is also the grandson-in-law of Dr B. R. Ambedkar. I had never known about Prof. Anand or his history of struggle for the marginalized before reading his letter.
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Resolution in US Congress seeks probe into Stan Swamy’s death

Resolution in US Congress seeks probe into Stan Swamy’s death

The Tribune / by Tribune News Service

A resolution commemorating the life of Indian human rights defender Father Stan Swamy and seeking an independent investigation into the death of the Jesuit priest has been introduced in the US Congress, Congressman Juan Vargas has said.
Vargas, the Representative from the US state of California, recently introduced the resolution in Congress to commemorate Swamy “and to encourage an independent investigation” into his death.
Read more

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.
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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.
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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.
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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

Tributes to Stan Swamy / Video: Why Democracy and Human Rights matter?

Tributes to Stan Swamy / Video: Why Democracy and Human Rights matter?

Alluri Sitarama Raju and Stan Swamy: Two Adivasi rights defenders – one praised, one persecuted

04/07/2022

Scroll.in / by Cedric Prakash

Prime Minister Modi unveiled a statue of Alluri in Andhra Pradesh one day before the first death anniversary of the Jesuit priest, who passed away in custody.
On a recent domestic flight, the head of the cabin crew made an announcement from the airlines informing passengers that July 4 was the birth anniversary of
Alluri Seethrama Raju.
“He led the ‘Rampa Rebellion’, the protest of tribal people against the British Raj,” the announcement said.
Read more


Fr. Stan Swamy: his legacy lives forever!

03/07/2022

Countercurrents.org / by Cedric Prakash

A year ago, on 5 July 2021, when Father Stan Swamy left us, the world mourned the death of a great human being who epitomised compassion, courage, collaboration and commitment! ‘Stan’, as he was lovingly called by those close to him, died whilst he was still incarcerated. From the time he was illegally arrested on 8 October 2020, he languished in the Taloja jail; his deteriorating health conditions prompted the Special Court to direct the jail authorities to admit him to a private hospital in Bombay where he finally succumbed, despite the best possible medical treatment given to him at that time! It was indeed too little too late. For one, Stan should never have been arrested;
Read more


‘Sad situation for human rights in India… Father Stan Swamy’s resolve inspires us’

04/07/2022

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

Father Frazer Mascarenhas, the former principal of St Xavier’s College in Mumbai and the Parish Priest of St Peter’s Church, in whose care Swamy was in his last days, in conversation with Sadaf Modak.
On July 5, it will be a year since the death of 84-year-old priest and Jharkhand-based activist Stan Swamy while in judicial custody. Swamy was arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in October 2020 and a chargesheet filed against him for his alleged links with banned CPI (Maoist). Swamy had denied the charges.
Read more


Video: Why Democracy and Human Rights matter? – Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture

03/07/2022

hindi | 2h 48min | 2022

By PUCL Jharkhand

People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Jharkhand organized the Inaugural Lecture of ‘Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture’ series on 1st of July 2022. Prof. Faizan Mustafa, the Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad delivered the lecture.
Watch video


Essential to have defenders of rights in country

03/07/2022

Ranchi, July 1

The Telegraph / by Animesh Biosee

Activists pay tribute to Father Stan Swamy and criticise State’s tendency to crack down on dissent
India needs more human rights defenders, constitutional law expert Faizan Mustafa said in Ranchi on Friday as he paid tribute to the late Father Stan Swamy and criticised the State’s tendency to crack down on rights activists.
Read more


XISS lecture to honour Stan Swamy

02/07/2022

Times of India / by Jaideep Deogharia

Ranchi: Vice-chancellor of National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, Faizan Mustafa while addressing the first Stan Swamy memorial lecture here at XISS auditorium on Friday said that the activist believed in true spirit of human rights. “Swamy came from a different state to fight for the oppressed and people of a different state,” he said.
Read more


Also read:
Various Upcoming Events Commemorating Father Stan’s Death in Custody

Zubair, Teesta, Bhima Koregaon ‘Evidence’: Why are India’s Institutions Silent?

Zubair, Teesta, Bhima Koregaon ‘Evidence’: Why are India’s Institutions Silent?

The Quint / by Seema Chishti

How much longer before the cloud hanging over India’s democratic record today morphs into a shroud?
A big tree fell in the forest a few days ago. A news report published on 16 June in WIRED, a renowned tech magazine, highlights the controversial detention of human rights activists in the Bhima Koregaon violence case. It revealed a very disturbing chain of events. The report was about the fabrication of evidence. How that story was treated by all institutions reveals reams about the institutional collapse in India. The noise of crumbling institutions is louder than if an edifice of brick and mortar was to actually come crashing down.
Read more


Also read:
● Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired / June 16, 2022)

After New Bhima Koregaon Revelations, Bombay High Court Can and Must Act

After New Bhima Koregaon Revelations, Bombay High Court Can and Must Act

After New Bhima Koregaon Revelations, Bombay High Court Can and Must Act

18/06/2022

The Quint / by Vakasha Sachdev

The assessment of these damning revelations can’t wait till trial, HC should set up a commission of inquiry.
In September 2018, when the Bhima Koregaon case was still in its infancy and the Maharashtra Police were trying to arrest the second set of activists (including Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha), Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court had said:
“Circumstances have been drawn to our notice to cast a cloud on whether the Maharashtra police has in the present case acted as fair and impartial investigating agency. Sufficient material has been placed before the Court bearing on the need to have an independent investigation.”
Read more


Bhima Koregaon Case: New Report Ties Pune Police With ‘Fabricated Evidence’

17/06/2022

The Quint / by The Quint

Independent investigations seem to suggest that the evidence in the case may just been very corrupt.
“We generally don’t tell people who targeted them, but I’m kind of tired of watching… These guys are not going after terrorists. They’re going after human rights defenders and journalists. And it’s not right,” an unnamed security analyst told American magazine WIRED.
Read more


Also read:
● Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired / June 16, 2022)