Obituary -Father Stanislaus Swamy
( 26.04.1937- 05.07.2021)
What A Black Blot Indeed !
The death of Father Stanislaus Swamy popularly known as Father Stan Swamy
Jesuit in judicial custody is a tragedy indeed too deep for tears and a black blot on
our national polity.His unfortunate demise in a Mumbai Hospital is indeed a ghastly
act of inhumanity on the part of “ powers that be.”It is a sad and stinging
commentary on the hollow ploys and false claims “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas and
Sab Ka Vishwas.”
A crusader for Jal(Water), Jungle(Forest) and Zameen(Land) throughout his whole
life, he was a messiah of the tribals, poor and marginalised sections of society
striving tirelessly for their cause ! A dauntless and valiant warrior while in prison, he
had said,” We will still sing in chorus.A caged bird can still sing.”
The departed soul yearned for an interim bail, not treatment at any hospital but all his
entreaties went in vain.Here, it is pertinent to mention Justice Madan B.Lokur, a
former Apex Court Judge’s deep concern who too could not help expressing his
disgust on our justice delivery system making a grave observation,” I am
disappointed with the courts and prosecution in this case.This is ‘inhuman’.”
This uncommon custodial death of a human rights activist puts many question marks
on the unconstitutional, insensitive, lawless and blind style of functioning of nation’s
polity representing various streams of state’s modus operandi.
The polity must hang its head on various acts of omission and commission on its part
deeming it as an eye- opener and lesson learning exercise.The way things are taking
shape these days,it is foolish to expect the polity to learn any lesson because a large
number of identical intellectual human rights activists too are languishing in jails.It is
for the masses to wake up from their deep slumber to be quite agile, vigilant and
aware of their rights, learning the art of how to safeguard the same ?
The Father Jesuit’s death on July 05 points many inquisitive fingers at the institutions
and organs of the state meant for discharging their duties and responsibilities in the
letter and spirit ! Are National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights
Panels true and sincere to the task for which they are implied to be in their chairs ?
Then are the courts of law, investigating agencies, prosecution and police performing
their duties objectively and independently sans any pressure from “above”? Are
these not white elephants acting as just ornamental decoration pieces only to dazzle
symbolically and to make merry at the cost of tax payers money ?
It is very crystal clear that Father Stan Swamy ‘s expiry in judicial custody certainly
goes a long way in diminishing highest institutions of the justice delivery
system and glory of the tenet of natural justice in India. Are the alarming bells
ringing for those deaf, dumb and blind at the helm of affairs of nation or not is in fact a
multi-million dollar question? Is it ?
May the departed noble and great soul rest in eternal peace !
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Prof PK Sharma
Associate Professor of English(Retired),
Former Reporter The Tribune-Freelance Journalist,
Pom Anm Nest, Barnala(Punjab)
e-mail : profpksharma504@gmail.com
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Prof PK Sharma is an alumnus of Satish Chander Dhawan Government College, Ludhiana
1 comment
Prof.P.K.Sharma has done full justice while writing
obituary for this great human rights activist.
Shame upon those who are responsible for his death.