RIP Stan Swamy: Politicians condole demise of the tribal rights activist

Tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, one of the accused in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima case, who was suffering from multiple health issues, passed away on Monday. Condolling the demise of the activist, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said, "He deserved justice and humaneness."

Such travesty of justice should have no place in our democracy: Vijayan on Stan Swamy's death

AIKS condemns 'custodial killing' of Fr Stan Swamy

Statement: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) expresses its deep anguish at the passing of Father Stan Swamy in a Mumbai hospital on Monday, July 5. Father Swamy, a well-known tribal rights activist was in judicial custody after his arrest in the Elgar Parishad/Bhima Koregaon case since October last year and was only admitted to a hospital after an intervention by the court in May this year.

Father Swamy was 84 years old and was suffering from several age related ailments. Still he was arrested from his home in Ranchi under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and sent to a jail in faraway Maharashtra despite concerns of rising Covid-19 cases. The NIA, working under the instructions of the Narendra Modi government had obstructed supply of essential medical support to Father Swamy on several occasions in the past as well, and it had opposed his shifting to a hospital until the last moment. In hospital Father Swamy got infected with COVID-19 and was put on ventilator.

AIKS believes that Father Swamy’s death is nothing less than a custodial killing committed by the union government and its agencies which, despite knowing his precarious health condition, arrested him, put him under harsh prison conditions and repeatedly opposed his bail and denied him crucial treatment. It demands that all persons responsible for Father Swamy’s death, should be held accountable and tried for their criminal acts.

Shocked to learn about the demise of Father Stan Swamy: Soren

CPI (M) Polit Bureau said punish those responsible for Stan Swamy's death. The party also called upon people to express their outrage in protest and to rise to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution

Deeply pained & outraged at the death of Father Stan Swamy: Yechury

Fr Stan Swamy will live in our hearts as a hero: Jignesh Mevani

Deeply saddened as an Indian: Shashi Tharoor

It is the Indian state that killed Fr. Stan Swamy: Jairam Ramesh

Deeply disturbed by the passing away of 84 year old tribal activist Stan Swamy: Mehbooba Mufti

Father Stan Swamy deserved justice and humaneness: Rahul Gandhi