For over six months Father Stan Swamy has been awaiting trial in a Mumbai prison.
Now, as Covid-19 continues to overwhelm India, the Jesuit father has fallen ill with symptoms of Coronavirus. Several staff members in the overcrowded prison are reported to have contracted the virus.
Fr. Swamy was one of 15 activists arrested in October 2020 after India's National Investigation Agency accused them of links with extremist groups. Before his arrest he recorded this message to the word:
FR. STAN SWAMY S.J.
Jesuit Priest, Human Rights Activist
“We are all aware of how prominent intellectuals, lawyers, writers, poets, activists, student leaders, They are all put into jail just because they’ve expressed their dissent, or raised the questions about the ruling powers of India.”
The 84 year-old priest suffers from an advanced Parkinson's disease and is hearing impaired, yet the prison where he is being held has no professional medical staff.
Human rights advocates have been calling for the prisoners' release, and Jesuits around the world have been vocal of their support of Fr. Swamy.
FR. XAVIER JEYARAJ S.J.
Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology, Society of Jesus
“The whole Society of Jesus is with him in solidarity. We want to say that 'Stand with the Stan,' who has been standing with the people.”
Fr. Swamy's legal team is now requesting his release from prison on medical grounds.
India remains the global epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic, reporting over 250,000 new cases each day.
JM
