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BK16: Why Is The Judiciary Still Sleeping? / Demise of Father Stan Swamy Marks Death of India’s Conscience

BK16: Why Is The Judiciary Still Sleeping? / Demise of Father Stan Swamy Marks Death of India’s Conscience

BK16: Why Is The Judiciary Still Sleeping?

15/07/2021

Countercurrents / by Sangeeta Kamat

The Bhima Koregaon15 spending a single additional night in jail is a travesty of justice.
The third report by Arsenal on evidence planting became public on July 6, with even more damning evidence corroborating the first two reports in February and April that confirmed extensive evidence planting on Rona Wilson’s hard drive, the first of the arrestees in the BK16 case. The third report meticulously documents transcripts of the malware and external activity on co-defendant Surendra Gadling’s hard drive from 2016 onward by the same attacker! Should not the Indian judiciary take account of the Arsenal reports to declare a fresh line of investigation into the so-called Bhima Koregaon case and release the 15 immediately?
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Demise of Father Stan Swamy Marks Death of India’s Conscience

15/07/2021

The Leaflet / by Aninda Dey

There was hardly a whimper in response to the sudden arrest of Father Stan Swamy on unproven charges of links to Maoists and sparking violence at Bhima Koregaon. His months-long incarceration under the UAPA, inhuman treatment, and tragic death is a dangerous trend that we Indians cannot ignore, for anybody could be next, writes Aninda Dey.
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Also read:
►Evidence found on a second Indian activist’s computer was planted, report says (Washington Post, July 6, 2021)
► Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire, July 6, 2021)

Release BK15 and all Political Prisoners / Protest & Solidarity: Dhanbad – Bangalore – Varanasi – Bhilai – Pune

Release BK15 and all Political Prisoners / Protest & Solidarity: Dhanbad – Bangalore – Varanasi – Bhilai – Pune

Pan-India movement call by Shahid Father Stan Swamy Nyayik Sangarsh Morcha

14/07/2021

The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee

The morcha has held discussions with the Aituc, Intuc, SFI and social organisations for an all-India coordination committee
Trade unions, farmer unions, student unions and social organisations protesting against the death of Father Stan Swamy in judicial custody will form a coordination committee to submit memoranda to governors of different states for the repeal of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and release of rights activists arrested under the anti-terror law on allegedly flimsy grounds.
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Bangalore, July 14

Varanasi demands justice for Fr Stan Swamy

13/07/2021

Sabrangindia / by Sabrangindia

In memory of Fr Stan, Varanasi demands release of Bhima-Koregaon accused and other political prisoners
The Samiksha Sanskrit Manch, a Varanasi-based citizens’ group has demanded the release of those arrested under draconian laws.The demand was made during a tribute meeting and candle march organised on July 12, 2021 in memory of Adivasi rights activist and Jesuit priest Fr. Stan Swamy.
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Bhilai, July 13

By Progressive Writers Association, PUCL, AITUC, ACTU, TUCI, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha Mazdoor Karyakarta Samiti, Mahila Mukti Morcha & Rela among others

Release Political Prisoners: CJP to Maharashtra CM

13/07/2021

By Citizens for Justice and Peace

In wake of Fr. Stan’s passing, CJP appeals for release of remaining Bhima Koregaon accused.
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has once again written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, urging him to consider recommending to the high-power committee, that the remaining accused in the Bhima Koregaon case be released on interim bail. There are still 14 people languishing in jail after Fr. Stan Swamy passed away and Varavara Rao was released on medical grounds.
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NIA, NHRC, Modi govt and judicial system executed plot against Stan Swamy: Maoists

13/07/2021

The New Indian Express / by Mukesh Ranjan

The CPI (Maoists) has demanded immediate release of all the activists lodged in jail in Bhima Koregaon case.
The Maoists on Tuesday alleged that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) framed Stan Swamy in a fake case and demanded immediate release of all the activists lodged in jail in the Bhima Koregaon case.
The CPI (Maoists) also demanded the withdrawal of all the cases filed against them and appealed to the writers, artists, singers, lawyers, and democratic intelligentsia to support them.
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Murder by the system: Cops, activists launch into verbal clashes at protest site

13/07/2021

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Claiming that Swamy’s death was “murder by the system”, and that he was treated inhumanly after his arrest, activists gathered under the banner of ‘Bhima Koregaon Shauryadin Prerna Abhiyaan’ and staged a protest.
Heated arguments broke out between police and activists gathered at the Pune district collectorate during a protest on Monday against the death of Father Stan Swamy, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case.
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London, July 10

South Asia Solidarity in London, outside the High Comm of India.
Postcard to Prison #postcardtoprison

Postcard to Prison #postcardtoprison

By InSAF India

The Bhima Koregaon (BK-16) are 16 human rights activists in India who are being imprisoned on charges of “terrorism” that United Nations experts have condemned as an effort to suppress political dissent. Join us in writing solidarity messages to the BK-16. InSAF India will regularly collect the messages and send them to the Taloja and Byculla prisons.
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Rage and Mourn in Response to Father Stan Swamy Death

Rage and Mourn in Response to Father Stan Swamy Death

BR Ambedkar’s granddaughter Rama Ambedkar demands release of all political prisoners

08/07/2021

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

‘Those involved in the Bhima Koregaon case are facing fabricated charges and being called Naxalites, but they work for the poor, just like Father Stan.’
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Stan Swamy Murder Has Lit A Spark Turning Into A Prairie Fire In Challenging Proto-Fascism

08/07/2021

Countercurrents.org / by Harsh Thakor

It is most heartening how the masses of India are not taking the custodial murder of Father Stan Swamy lying down. We must congratulate all the sections be it of the workers, peasants, youth or students who have collectively galvanised forces to crystallise resistance against neo-fascism. A spark is virtually being turned into a Prairie fire. In the last few days a spurt of qualitative protests has taken place in Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and all around the country.
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Rage and Mourn: Protests Across the Country in Response to Father Stan Swamy Death

07/07/2021

Gaurilankeshnews.com / by Gauri Lankesh News Desk

BK undertrials have demanded a judicial inquiry in the institutional murder of Fr. Stan Swamy and that the Taloja jail superintendent Kaustubh Kurlekar
With the news of the demise of tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy on 5th July, under judicial custody in the Elgar Parishad case, masses all across the country, as well as many rights defenders globally, have expressed grief and anguish at the Modi regime for its murderous hounding of those who have been resisting its fascist rule. Following the funeral of Fr. Swamy which was live-streamed on YouTube for his family and well-wishers to witness, protests have erupted throughout the country.
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Those Jailed In Bhima Koregaon Case Be Released: Opposition Leaders To President

06/07/2021

By The Leaflet (July 6)

Opposition leaders write to the President expressing outrage at the death in custody of Fr #StanSwamy. Say all those jailed in the Bhima Koregaon case as well as other political detenues who have been jailed for sedition under draconian laws like UAPA must be released forthwith.

Click to enlarge

Press Briefing by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

06/07/2021

By Liz Throssell, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Press briefing notes on India
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssell
Location: Geneva
Date: 6 July 2021
We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the death of 84-year-old Father Stan Swamy, a human rights defender and Jesuit priest, in Mumbai yesterday, following his arrest in October 2020 under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Father Stan had been held in pre-trial detention without bail since his arrest, charged with terrorism-related offences in relation to demonstrations that date back to 2018. He was a long-standing activist, particularly on the rights of indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups. While in Mumbai’s Taloja Central Jail, his health deteriorated and he reportedly contracted COVID-19. His repeated applications for bail were rejected. He died as the Bombay High Court was considering an appeal against the rejection of his bail application.
Read full statement

Stan Swamy: India outrage over death of jailed activist

06/07/2021

BBC / by BBC

Thousands of activists, political leaders and Indian citizens have taken to social media to pay tributes to jailed tribal rights activist Stan Swamy who died at the age of 84.
Many also expressed anger at the way he was jailed during Covid-19 and repeatedly denied bail.
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Native village in Tiruchy grieves Stan Swamy’s demise

06/07/2021

The New Indian Express / by Jayakumar Madala

Scores of vehicles started arriving at Virugallur village in Tiruchy, moments after news of Fr Stan Swamy’s death broke in the media. People from near and far descended in the 84-year-old priest’s native village to express their condolences.
“He was a humble man who dedicated a lifetime to the welfare of tribal people,” said Swamy’s brother TPL Irudayaswamy (89).
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Mumbai

Kolkata

Bhilai

Panjim

Chandigarh

Ranchi

• • •

We are ruled by fiends – The have put a curse upon this land

07/07/2021

Newslaundry / by Arundhati Roy

The excruciating, slow-motion, custodial murder of 84-year-old Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest who spent decades of his life in the service of India’s dispossessed, took place in the show window of our democracy. Our judiciary, police, intelligence services, and prison system are responsible. Our mainstream media too. All of them were aware of the case, and of his failing health. And yet he continued to be ground down.
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Stan Swamy’s institutional murder must lead to a nation-wide movement against draconian laws and state repression

Stan Swamy’s institutional murder must lead to a nation-wide movement against draconian laws and state repression

By National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)

NAPM joins citizens and democratic groups across the globe remembering the life and struggle of Stan Swamy with pain and pride

7th July, 2021: The news of the cold-blooded killing of Fr. Stan Swamy by all the institutions that held him arbitrarily in custody for over 9 months has shaken not just the ‘conscience’ of India, but of the entire world. This incident shall remain a permanent blot on India’s claim of being a ‘democracy’, which oversaw the custodial torture and consequent ‘death’ of an 84-year-old human rights defender, living with Parkinsons, for a crime he never committed. As the world mourns this spartan saint, whose only mission was to fight for justice for the oppressed, we are left with many unanswered questions about the state of our nation and the future path of struggle. …

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10 BK undertrials hold hunger strike

10 BK undertrials hold hunger strike

10 Bhima Koregaon case accused demand judicial inquiry into Stan Swamy’s death, hold hunger strike

07/07/2021

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

They blamed the National Investigation Agency and Taloja Jail’s former superintendent for the death of the tribal rights activist.
Ten accused in the Bhima Koregaon case on Wednesday went on a day-long hunger strike to protest against the “institutional murder” of tribal rights activist Stan Swamy, reported PTI. They also demanded a judicial inquiry into the activist’s death.
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Video: Memorial mass for Father Stan Swamy // Online Condolences Meeting: #RIP Stan

Video: Memorial mass for Father Stan Swamy // Online Condolences Meeting: #RIP Stan

Video: Memorial mass for Father Stan Swamy

06/07/2021

By St Peter’s Church

Memorial mass for Father Stan Swamy at St Peter’s Church in Bandra today.

en | 1h57min | 2021
Watch here

St Peter’s Church in Bandra

Video: Online Condolences Meeting #RIP Stan

05/07/2021

en | 2h 38min | 2021
Watch video @ Youtube Indian Social Institute

Stan Swamy – Salutes to an extraordinary rights fighter! / Video: What Stan Swamy said before arrest

Stan Swamy – Salutes to an extraordinary rights fighter! / Video: What Stan Swamy said before arrest

Video: What Stan Swamy said before arrest by NIA


en | 7:50min | 2020
Watch video

Fr. Stan is dead! Salutes to an extraordinary rights fighter!

05/07/2021

By People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)

PUCL is extremely saddened and anguished by the death of Fr. Stan Swamy today, 5th July, 2021 in the Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, where he was undertaking treatment pursuant to an interim order of the Bombay High Court in his bail petition in the Bhima Koregaon case. What is most tragic is that even as the High Court Division Bench had started hearing the bail petition, news trickled in that he had passed away.
Read full statement

Fr. Stan Swamy was a defender of human rights giving hope to thousands of Dalits and Adivasis

05/07/2021

The Leaflet / by Joseph Xavier SJ and Harshita

Human rights activist Fr. Stan Swamy passed away in hospital waiting endlessly for medical bail. He was in jail since last year in the Bhima Koregaon case. Dr. Joseph Xavier SJ and Harshita write about the colourful journey of Fr. Stan Swamy in empowering thousands of Dalits and Adivasis and raising their concerns about justice and displacement.
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Fr Stan Swamy’s institutional murder

05/07/2021

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) / by Teesta Setalvad

Poor health conditions in Taloja prison amidst a raging Covid-19 pandemic, lies fabricated by the authorities, valiant efforts by the Jesuit-Human Rights Community and advocates like Mihir Desai and Krithika, form the vicious cycle witnessed closely by some of us in the tragic case of our beloved Father Stan Swamy (and other fellow inmates) over past months.
Read full statement

Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha: Mahasabha pays its tribute to Stan Swamy, who passed away today. His principles have been a source of inspiration for us and will continue to remain so. Stan lives on in our struggles and memories. His life and work in the thread.

NAPM India (July 5):
NAPM joins every justice loving person across the globe mourning the departure of human rights defender #StanSwamy and vows to continue the struggle for holding the criminal State accountable for this institutional murder. Enough is Enough.
#FreeBK16 #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (July 5):
The news from #India today is devastating. Human Rights Defender & Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy has died in custody, nine months after his arrest on false charges of terrorism. Jailing HRDs is inexcusable. He explains his work here +++

Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for HR (July 4):
I share the concern expressed by the UN Special Rapporteur, Mary Lawlor, about the health and continuing detention of Fr Stan Swamy, whose case the EU has been raising with the Indian authorities +++

SJES Rome (July 5): We are deeply saddened to learn about Fr. Stan Swamy passing away. His life was meaningful and his legacy of this commitment for the rights of the indigenous people will remain. RIP +++

Activists, opposition call out ‘custodial murder’ of Stan Swamy

05/07/2021

Hindustan Times / by Deepali Sharma

Rights activist Shabnam Hashmi called Stan Swamy’s death “custodial murder” and said that the government has to be held accountable.
The death of the 84-year-old activist Stan Swamy on Monday amid his fight for bail on the grounds of health issues sparked off intense responses on social media from political leaders, activists, journalists, intellectuals among others.
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Killing Him Softly With His Song: A Requiem for Father Stan Swamy

05/07/2021

The Wire / by Madan B. Lokur

The entire episode leaves behind a feeling that Stan Swamy was virtually thrust a sentence of death without charges being framed against him and without a trial.
Certain events occurred on January 1, 2018 in Bhima-Koregaon which led to the lodging of an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sedition. After investigation, offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were added. A charge sheet was first filed against some accused persons on November 15, 2018 and a second or supplementary charge sheet was filed against some more accused persons on February 21, 2019.
In the meanwhile, the Maharashtra Police investigating the case searched the residence and office of Stan Swamy in Ranchi on August 28, 2018.
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Urgent need for bail and and specialised medical treatment for critical Stan Swamy

Urgent need for bail and and specialised medical treatment for critical Stan Swamy

An Open Letter To Bombay High Court CJI To Save Stan Swamy

05/07/2021

Outlook India / by PUDR

In light of the worsening health conditions of Father Stan Swamy, who was arrested in connection to the Elgar Parishad case in October last year, the People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has written an open letter to the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, seeking immediate intervention in the case.
The complete letter sent by PUDR is published below.
Read full statement

Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (July 5):
Stan’s condition exposes how the Bhima-Koregaon case, based on fabricated charges, is being used to target activists. We reiterate – Drop all charges against Stan Swamy and all other BK16, set them free and close the BK conspiracy case +++

Urgent need for bail and specialised medical treatment for critical Stan Swamy

04/07/2021

by Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha

Mahasabha demands from the central & Maharashtra governments that all necessary medical and specialised treatment be urgently ensured for Stan Swamy. We further demand that the High Court immediately grants him bail.

NHRC asks Maharashtra Chief Secretary to ensure every possible medical treatment to the imprisoned FR. Stan Swamy as part of life saving measure and protection of his basic human rights

04/07/2021

By National Human Rights Commission

Press release
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India looking into the complaint alleging serious health condition of imprisoned FR. Stan Swamy( 84yrars), has today issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, calling upon him to ensure that every possible efforts are made in providing him proper medical care and treatment as part of life saving measure and protection of his basic human rights. The Commission has also called for a report in the light of the allegations made in the complaint and the treatment record of FR Swamy, who is very old and lodged in Taloja Jail, Navi Mumbai.
Read full statement

by Indian Social Institute (July 4):
Stan is on ventilator and his condition is critical. Prayers requested +++

by Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (July 4):
Horrible news to learn that Indian HRD Fr. Stan Swamy is in very serious condition & was put on a ventilator last night. He’s spent 9 months in jail on unfounded charges.I’m deeply saddened & expect that every possible specialist treatment will be provided to him +++

by Karwan e Mohabbat (July 4):
News coming in that Fr #StanSwamy’s health has deteriorated in hospital. We urge the government provide him the best medical intervention. After a life of selfless service for those who are oppressed, Stan Swamy has been incarcerated under UAPA despite no evidence against him +++

Ensure Every Possible Medical Treatment To Imprisoned FR. Stan Swamy To ‘Protect’ His Human Rights: NHRC To Maharashtra Chief Secretary

Live Law / by Sparsh Upadhay

In a significant move, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has asked Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary to ensure that every possible medical treatment is provided to the imprisoned FR. Stan Swamy (currently lodged in Taloja Jail, Navi Mumbai) “as part of life-saving measure and protection of his basic human rights.”
NHRC has issued the notice in view of the complaints alleging the serious health condition of imprisoned FR. Stan Swamy (84yrars).
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Activist Stan Swamy put on ventilator support at Mumbai hospital as health deteriorates

04/07/2021

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

Swamy is in a critical condition, his friend and colleague Father Joseph Xavier said.
Tribal rights activist Stan Swamy was put on ventilator support at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai on Sunday, his friend and colleague Father Joseph Xavier said.
“He [Swamy] was put on ventilator early this [Sunday] morning,” Xavier told Scroll.in. “He remains in a critical condition.”
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