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On Monday, 5 July, human rights activist Father Stan Swamy, who was incarcerated for his alleged involvement in the Elgar Parishad case, passed away as a pre-trial prisoner after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The death of the 84-year-old, who was awaiting bail on medical ground, invited tributes from political leaders and activists across the nation.
Congress leader Jesuits of India; Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi; Historian Ram Chandra Guha; Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren also took to Twitter to mourn Father Swamy's demise.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), too, acknowledged Swamy's passing in a press note on Tuesday, and said that they are "saddened and disturbed" by it.
"In light of the continued, severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more urgent that States, including India, release every person detained without a sufficient legal basis, including those detained simply for expressing critical or dissenting views," Liz Throsell, spokesperson for the UNCHR wrote.
The Jesuits of India, have expressed deep anguish at the demise of Father Stan Swamy, with Dr Stanislaus D’ Souza, the South Asia head of the group writing:
“The Society of Jesuits, at this moment, recommits itself to take forward the legacy of Fr Stan in its mission of Justice and Reconciliation,” wrote Dr D’ Souza.
Meanwhile, the All India Catholic Association, has written in a press statement that "future generations will take courage from his martyrdom".
Reminding that "in jail, with his health failing and advanced Parkinson's 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," the association wrote:
Further, the association pointed out how even in jail, Father Swamy should resilience and wrote: "In life and in his martyrdom, Fr Stan Swamy has become a beacon for all who struggle for human rights, specially the rights of the Tribals and other marginalised people, and a role model for young men and women across the nation."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to point out that Swamy "deserved justice and humaneness".
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed her sorrow at his death, saying that he was deprived of justice and human rights even in the hour of death.
Leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury expressed his anguish and wrote about Swamy's circumstances in his last days: "Draconian UAPA, inhuman treatment since October 2020 with no charge established."
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also expressed his shock at Swamy's passing and said that the Union government should be "answerable for absolute apathy...".
He also paid tribute to the activist through a video message on Tuesday.
"Who in the apparatus of the Indian state will be held responsible for this tragedy?" asked Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Former chief minister of Goa Digambar Kamat also expressed his condolences and wrote, "Feeling devastated by passing away of 84 year old Champion of Human Rights Father #StanSwamy. This is nothing less than Murder by most insensitive and inhuman Government of India of one of the gentlest and kindest person. My condolences to his family and followers. He deserved kindness. (sic)"
The state president of West Bengal, Trinankur Bhattacharjee, tweeted: "His death is a murder and we know who is responsible."
Activist, psephologist, and politician Yogendra Yadav also called Swamy's death a "cold blooded murder by NIA, NHRC, BJP & the judiciary".
Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, and EU Special Envoy for the Peace Process in Colombia also tweeted about Swamy's passing.
The National Confederation Of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO) stated that Swamy, "incarcerated on fabricated charges", "was a commendable activist and had worked for Dalits, Adivasis, and others in the state of Jharkhand".
Dr Kafeel Khan also took to Twitter to call his death a "murder".
Historian Ramachandra Guha tweeted, saying that Swamy's death was a "case of judicial murder".
Journalist Rana Ayub wrote "Rest in peace, Father, hero, champion of human rights".
Writer Meena Kandasamy, meanwhile, tweeted: 'Blood on all our hands'.
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