Solidarity – Page 59 – free them all

Report and Videos of the PUCL Press Conference: The Bhima Koregaon Conspiracy Case

21/10/2020 Rani

Drawing by Arun Ferreira

By People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)

Report of the Virtual Press Conference held on 21st October, 2020 organised by the PUCL

Opposition Leaders, Civil Society denounce arrest of Stan Swamy and other activists in Bhima Koregaon case;
Call for repeal of UAPA!

► The videos of speeches of speakers are available here
► The documents are available here

Introduction
PUCL organised a virtual Press Conference on 21st October, 2020 to condemn the illegal arrest of Fr. Stan Swamy of Jharkhand and 15 other activists in the Bhima Koregaon case. The Press Conference was to create a platform for different civil society groups and political parties to jointly condemn the brazen abuse of UAPA by the Central Government against dissenters and demand repeal of draconian anti-human rights laws like UAPA and anti-sedition law. The following is a summary of the speeches made by different speakers.
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Music videos: Wake Up Call – Bhima Koregaon / Stan Swamy – Not a Silent Spectator

21/10/2020 Rani

By Bombay Jesuits

The not so justified proceedings of the Bhima Koregaon case have been highlighted in this song. The recent arrest of Fr. Stan Swamy in this case who claims that he has never been to Bhima Koregaon has caused an uproar in the society. The arrest of lawyers, poets, activists and the like, who question the authorities is a WAKE UP CALL to stand with them, to stand for freedom and to stand for justice.
Watch music video

Fr. Stan Swamy SJ – Not a Silent Spectator (Ekla Chalo Re)

By Bombay Jesuits

Fr. Stan Swamy SJ, who fought for the Adivasi rights in central India, has been arrested under UAPA by the NIA. He stood for the Adivasis even when many others dared not to. He spoke for them even when many chose to keep quiet. Living up to this prophetic calling Fr. Stan stands as a beacon for many religious and lay activists. At a time when he, along with others arrested in their fight for justice, are tried by various forces, we stand with them in solidarity and pride.
Watch music video

UN High Commissioner Bachelet dismayed at restrictions on NGOs and arrests of activists in India

20/10/2020 Rani

By United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner

News Release
GENEVA: – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday appealed to the Government of India to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders and NGOs, and their ability to carry out their crucial work on behalf of the many groups they represent…
Read full statement

DMK adds voice to Swamy release plea / Press Release by MP Chidambaram

20/10/2020 Rani

Pic: Ranchi, Oct 2020

The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee

MP and former Union minister Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemned the arrest of the Father, who was born in Tamil Nadu.
Support continues to pour in from Opposition MPs along with social outfits and tribal activists for the release of octogenarian Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, arrested by the NIA earlier this month near Ranchi for alleged Maoist link and involvement in the Bhima Koregaon case.
Read more

Press Release by MP Karti Chidambaram

19/10/2020
Click to enlarge

Stan Swamy: Tamil Nadu Catholics observe day of solidarity

19/10/2020 Rani

Madurai, Oct 19, 2020

Matters India / by Arockiasamy Santhanam

Madurai: Catholic churches across Tamil Nadu October 18 expressed solidarity with Jesuit Father Stan Swamy, a native of the southern Indian state now who is in a Mumbai jail for alleged Maoists links.
During the Sunday Mass, Catholics prayed for the good health and immediate release of Father Stan. They also organized parish level-programs in front of the churches condemning the priest’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.
Read more

Other brothers behind Stan Swamy / Activists Under Detention for Their Words: Tharoor

18/10/2020 Rani

Other brothers behind Stan Swamy

18/10/2020

The Telegraph / by Jhinuk Mazumdar

The priest should be released, otherwise all minorities will come together and agitate in the country, the Imam of Nakhoda Mosque said.
The Centre should release Father Stan Swamy, otherwise all minorities will come together and agitate, an Imam of Nakhoda Mosque said at the end of a silent walk on Park Street expressing solidarity with the 83-year-old Jesuit priest.
Read more

Tweet by Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Oct 18: Jharkhand: MLA Bandhu Tirkey has written to President, home minister and PM asking for immediate release of Stan Swamy, closure of bhima-koregaon case, repeal of UAPA and amendment in NIA rules to respect federalism.

Click to enlarge

Activists Under Detention for Their Words: Tharoor

17/10/2020

News 18 / by pti

Pune: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said a large number of people, including activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Anand Teltumbde, are under detention for their words, although none of them is accused of hitting anyone or possessing a gun. He also said that words and ideas may outlast power and authority.
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Massive Ranchi rally demands release of Stan Swamy / Jesuits protest worldwide

17/10/2020 Rani

Massive Ranchi rally demands release of Stan Swamy

17/10/2020

The Hindu / by Satyasundar Barik

All major non-BJP political parties and social activists on Saturday took to the streets in Ranchi, demanding the immediate release of Stan Swamy, the 83-year-old tribal rights activist, who was arrested last week by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with Bhima Koregaon case.
Read more

HUMAN CHAIN LED BY ARCHBISHOP FELIX TOPPO, STOOD WITH FATHER STAN

17/10/2020

By Release the Poet

More than 5,000 people formed a 4km human chain in Ranchi on Friday to express solidarity with octogenarian Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, arrested and jailed in Mumbai for alleged Maoist links, in Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.
Many of the protestors, also lit candles, terming it a symbol of hope against the attempts to silence intellectuals and rights activists.
Friday’s congregation, part of ongoing protests by various groups, was led by Archbishop of Ranchi Felix Toppo and auxiliary bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.
Father Toppo’s banner read: “We demand justice”. Among the other slogans printed on posters were “Stop terrorizing activists”, “Stan is a worker for Dalit and Adivasi rights and not a terrorist”, “Everyone has human rights, stop branding them as terrorists” and “Release Stan Swamy—the voice of the oppressed”.
We received an update about a similar human chain in the same cause from Bengaluru as well.

Jesuits worldwide protest against imprisonment of elderly priest

17/10/2020

The Tablet / by Ruth Gledhill

Jesuits worldwide are mobilising in protest after an 84-year-old Jesuit priest and human rights activist was arrested in India accused of terrorist links.
Fr Stan Swamy SJ, a prominent and popular human rights activist, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency for alleged Maoist links on October 8.
Read more

Jharkhand boils in anger because of Stan Swamy’s wrongful arrest

17/10/2020

Gauri Lankesh News / by Rupesh Kumar Singh |Gauri Lankesh News Desk

Human Rights activist and intellectual Father Stan Swamy was arrested in relation to Bhima Koregaon Case, despite never having visited the spot.
Jharkhand capital Ranchi is witnessing large-scale unrest in response to the wrongful arrest of 83 year old Father Stan Swamy- a prominent Human Rights Activist engaged in the Bhima Koregaon case- from “Bagaicha” in Jharkhand on 8th October by the Mumbai NIA.
Read more

Catholics protest in Ranchi against the arrest of Fr Stan Swamy

17/10/2020

National Herald / by VP Sharan

Jharkhand has been witnessing widespread protest against arrest of 82-year old Christian priest Father Stan Swamy by NIA for his alleged involvement in Bhima Koregaon violence.
Members of civil society, Catholics and senior Catholic priests held a silent candle light vigil and protest at the St Mary’s Church in Ranchi on Friday against the arrest of the Jesuit priest, originally from Tamil Nadu.
Read more

Calcutta walk for Stan Swamy / Activists hold protest at district collectorate in Pune

16/10/2020 Rani

Calcutta walk for Stan Swamy

16/10/2020

The Telegraph / by Jhinuk Mazumdar

Solidarity gesture organised by the Mother Teresa International Award Committee.
A march that will not differentiate between religions and political affiliations to show solidarity with Father Stan Swamy and demand his release from jail will be led by St Xavier’s University vice-chancellor Father J. Felix Raj in Calcutta on Saturday afternoon.
The protest organised by the Mother Teresa International Award Committee will start from St Xavier’s College on Park Street and end in front of the statue of Mother Teresa at the Park Street-Camac Street crossing.
Read more

Activists hold protest at district collectorate to demand release of Stan Swamy

15/10/2020

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The delegation of activists submitted their demands to District Collector Rajendra Deshmukh.
Activists of various organisations held a protest at the Pune district collectorate on Thursday to demand the release of 83-year-old Stan Swamy, the Jesuit priest from Jharkhand who has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency in connection with the Elgaar Parishad case.
Read more

Father Stan Swamy’s arrest ripples in Northeast

15/10/2020 Maya

The Telegraph / by Umanand Jaiswal

Guwahati-based social scientist Father Walter Fernandes on Wednesday said the arrest of tribal rights advocate Father Stan Swamy from Ranchi had “implications” for the Northeast, which too had witnessed arrests of rights activists and the displacement of tribal communities in the name of development.
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Protests intensify against Swamy arrest/ Indians rally behind Jesuit arrested for „Maoist“ links

14/10/2020 Maya

Protests intensify against Swamy arrest

14/10/2020

The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee

The show of solidarity with octogenarian Jesuit priest, Father Stan Swamy, who was arrested by the NIA near Ranchi on October 8 and jailed for alleged Maoist links, continued on Tuesday in Jharkhand.
Nearly 60 representatives of people’s organisations and tribal activists resumed their hunger strike near tribal icon Birsa Munda’s memorial at Kokar in Ranchi from 11am on Tuesday, while around 50 youths under the banner of Jharkhand Christian Youth Association (JCYA) burnt the effigy of the central government at Albert Ekka Chowk as a mark of protest against the arrest.
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Indians rally behind Jesuit arrested for „Maoist“ links

13/10/2020

Matters India / by Matters India

Cities across India on October 12 witnessed an unprecedented show of solidarity with an octogenarian Jesuit priest who has been arrested and jailed for alleged Maoist links.
From New Delhi to the North East, from Bengaluru to Patna, and from Kochi to Mumbai, hundreds of people from all walks of life, who are saddened, shocked and indignant, stood up against the arbitrary arrest of the 83 year old Jesuit priest.
Read reports from Delhi, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Kochi, Patna and Trichy