WASHINGTON: US lawmakers on Tuesday addressed the death of Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy, known as Father Stan Swamy, a prominent human rights activist who died in custody, urging India to conduct an independent inquiry into his arrest, detention, and demise.
Three US representatives, led by Congressman Juan Vargas, have tabled a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding Father Stan’s arrest, detention, and death.
Introduced by Vargas, alongside Congressmen Jim McGovern and Andre Carson, the resolution voices concern over the alleged misuse of anti-terrorism laws against human rights advocates and political adversaries. It commends a recent decision by India’s Supreme Court to suspend a contentious colonial-era sedition law and calls on the Indian Parliament to make this suspension permanent.
The resolution emphasizes that “freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, which protects the rights and freedoms of all individuals.”
“Father Stan devoted his life to empowering the marginalized. He tirelessly championed the rights of the indigenous Adivasi people, mentored young community leaders, and pursued justice for various communities across India,” remarked Vargas.
Vargas, a former Jesuit, expressed his dismay over the conditions Father Stan endured in custody, including denial of medical care. “I introduced this resolution to ensure that Father Stan’s dedication to justice and the greater good is remembered,” he stated.
The resolution also highlights Father Stan’s roots in Viragalur, a village in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district, where he was inspired by Jesuit missionaries from an early age and began studying theology in 1957. It notes his significant role in the Pathalgadi movement, a major Adivasi movement that utilizes traditional stone carving to educate Adivasi communities about their constitutional rights.
