Mumbai: Political leaders cutting across the party lines had evoked outrage in the Indian public sphere ,leaders have condemned death of father Stan Swamy

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the politicians condole his death. Politicians also termed his death as systematic killing by the authorities concerned. 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “ sad to learn of Fr# StanSwamy’s passing. A humanitarian and man of God whom our government could not treat with humanity . Deeply saddened as an Indian RIP”. Father Stan Swamy, an undertrial prisoner in the Bhima Koregaon case, died in the hospital. 

Mr. Rahul Gandhi tweeted that “ he deserved justice and humaneness. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted that “ A humble tribute to Father Stan Swamy. How unfortunate that a person who served the poor and tribals throughout his life and became the voice of human rights, he was denied justice and human rights even in the hour of death”, she tweeted. 

Read: Fr. Stan Swamy, accused in Elgaar Parishad case, dies aged 84

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he was “deeply pained and outraged.” “...A Jesuit priest & social activist, he tirelessly helped the marginalized. Draconian UAPA custody, inhuman treatment since October 2020 with no charge established. Accountability must be fixed for this murder in custody”, he tweets. 

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal tweeted that he passed away without getting bail, and there was “little hope of early trial.” He said others were languishing in jail too. “...Lawyers, Academics, Social Activists....raise their voices for the voiceless They too are now ‘voiceless.’ The State calls them ‘terrorists,” he tweeted.

The Case

Stan Swamy, the Jesuit priest who was arrested in 2020 for his alleged involvement in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the Elgar Parishad case. He died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Monday. His lawyers filed a bail petition seeking an urgent hearing on medical grounds. On Sunday, his health deteriorated, and he was put on ventilator support after breathing difficulties.