"He Deserved Justice...": Rahul Gandhi Joins Tribute For Father Stan Swamy

Elgar Parishad Case: Stan Swamy had repeatedly complained of inadequate health facilities at the Taloja prison near Mumbai, where he was jailed to await his trial

Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor were among dozens of political leaders, journalists and civil society members to mourn the death of Stan Swamy - the 84-year-old activist arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, and charged under draconian anti-terror law UAPA. Heartfelt condolences on the passing of Father Stan Swamy.He deserved justice and humaneness. Who in the apparatus of the Indian state will be held responsible for this tragedy? Make no mistake — it is the Indian state that killed Fr. Stan Swamy, who was such a passionate crusader for social justice. https://t.co/gAbZL2Y8aI Deeply pained & outraged at the death of Father Stan Swamy.A jesuit priest & social activist he tirelessly helped the marginalised.Draconian UAPA custody, inhuman treatment since October 2020 with no charge established.Accountability must be fixed for this murder in custody. pic.twitter.com/iQ8XrfRb9n This is nothing less than murder by the State of one of the gentlest & kindest men I have known. Unfortunately our judicial system is also complicit in thishttps://t.co/r7DPK2DH87 Father Stan Swamy, we as a country killed you. My head hangs in shame. Rest in peace Father, hero, champion of human rights. 84-year-old Jesuit Father #StanSwamy has passed away. Let us not talk about this as mere death. This is a judicial murder--and everyone is complicit: NIA, Modi- Shah, the judiciary that never saw the nonsense-upon-stilts which was Bhima Koregaon case, jails, ruling class & media pic.twitter.com/P8x2PHhBce Just heard that Father Stan Swamy passed away. The Indian Government and our insensitive Judiciary are responsible for all that he went through towards the end of his life. The last I read about the octogenarian activist, the late Stan Swamy which made me tear up, was that he'd requested for a straw/sipper as he was unable to drink water due to Parkinson's. And his request was denied!What a shame! What a shame! Widely seen as an icon fighting for the rights of Jharkhand's tribal populations, Stan Swamy had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease before being jailed, and contracted COVID-19 while in prison. He had approached the courts repeatedly, complaining of inadequate health facilities and neglect by prison officials in ensuring basic medical aid, tests, hygiene and social distancing. In May, Stan Swamy had told the Bombay High Court that his health had consistently declined, and that if the current situation continued, he "would die soon".