One year ago, on 5 July 2021, when Father Stan Swamy was called to his eternal reward, the world mourned the death of a prophet! ‘Stan’, as he was lovingly called by those close to him, died while he was still incarcerated. From the time he was illegally arrested on 8 October 2020, he languished in Taloja jail; his deteriorating health conditions prompted the Special Court to direct the jail authorities to admit him to a private hospital in Mumbai where he finally succumbed, despite the best possible medical treatment. It was indeed too little too late. For one, Stan should never have been arrested; secondly, the frail 84-year-old Jesuit priest was suffering from severe health ailments. His death was universally regarded as ‘institutional murder’. It was nothing short of that. Till today, Stan has not yet been exonerated of the trumped-up charges in the Bhima-Koregaon conspiracy case; fifteen others still remain in jail (though a couple are on bail) in the same case.

A few days before his arrest, in a video-message which went viral, Stan said, “What is happening to me is not something unique happening to me alone. It is a broader process that is taking place all over the country. We are all aware how prominent intellectuals, lawyers’ writers, poets, activists, students, leaders, they are all put into jail because they have expressed their dissent or raised questions about the ruling powers of India. We are part of the process. In a way I am happy to be part of this process. I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game, and ready to pay the price whatever be it.” Words of the quintessential Stan: truly a prophet for our times!

There is no doubt that Stan has left behind a rich legacy worthy of emulation. Stan had a legion of friends -- mainly the Adivasis and the sub-altern groups. He identified with them; walked the talk and accompanied them in their struggle for jal, jungle aur jameen. He left no stone unturned, in the defense of their legitimate Constitutional rights. His collaborators were women and men from all walks of life who were convinced that Stan lived his life totally for a more humane and just society. In the realisation of his vision, Stan made many enemies – the rich and powerful, the mafia who were plundering the area for natural resources, the corrupt politicians and their corporate honchos, and other vested interests. Prophets are inconvenient and Stan was a sheer nuisance to them. He thwarted some of their plans of destroying the lives, livelihood of the Adivasis and of their environment. They wanted him out of the way and they succeeded.

Stan was an inspiration to many all through his life and one year after his death he still continues to be so. During his incarceration and on his death, there were hundreds of thousands who came out on the streets, both in India and abroad -- first, condemning his illegal arrest and then his murder. His death was news all over the globe – in the print and electronic media; social media went viral extolling his significant contribution to the sub-altern groups. Like a true Jesuit and a worthy son of St Ignatius, Stan did all he could to “set the world on fire” through the many values he epitomized, among them Compassion, Courage, Collaboration and Commitment are worth noting.

Compassion: Stan’s heart bled for the excluded and exploited; his life was focused on the reality and the cries of the poor. He did all he could to alleviate their suffering by identifying with them, being immersed in their joys, griefs and anxieties; walking with them and addressing the systemic unjust issues which caused their impoverishment.

Courage: Stan lived the dictum of Jesus: “fear no one”, as he spoke truth to power and took on vested interests who denied the Adivasis of their legitimate rights for their identity and culture, land and other natural resources. He fought tenaciously for the youth who were imprisoned without justification. He was not afraid to risk his own life for justice for others.

Collaboration: Stan believed in collaboration with women and men of goodwill. He realised that people from every segment of society have to come together in order that Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity truly belong to “we the people of India”. He forged and belonged to networks and alliances which moved towards that goal.

Commitment: Above all, Stan was unflinching in his commitment to God and in the service of his people. At great risk, he gave himself without counting the cost. He lived the Gospel without compromise and like his Master Jesus he was one-sided in a total commitment to the service of faith and the promotion of justice, for the poor and the excluded.

Few will contest what Stan epitomised and the unparalleled legacy he has left both the country and the Church. There has been a wave of turmoil all over. The situation in the country is bad in every sphere: political, economic and social. Global surveys on significant indicators puts India either rock-bottom or among the worst. Divisiveness, discrimination, demonization and denigration of minorities hold sway; hate and violence is mainstreamed. Human rights defenders and those who take a visible and vocal stand for truth and justice are intimidated and harassed, subject to heavy police interrogations and even incarcerated (as we see in the case of those detained under the UAPA and other draconian laws). Constitutional bodies which are meant to be impartial and objective are pathetically compromised and even destroyed to become pawns of the political masters. The less said about ‘godified’ media the better.

In a nation which is bereft of moral leadership, the Catholic Church (in fact all Christians), however miniscule in number, could have provided (and can still provide) a witness value given to us by the person and message of Jesus: that of being a prophetic Church in today’s India. Interestingly, ten years ago, in 2012, at the 30^th CBCI Meet in Bangalore on ‘The Church’s Role for a Better India’, the Bishops said, “We sensed in our hearts our country’s yearning for a Better India. Our country has been noted for its deep spirituality, its saints and sages, its rich diversity of cultures and religions. People yearn for the ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution of India of a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic which will secure for its citizens justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation. But this yearning has remained largely unfulfilled. Economic development has brought about increasing inequities, an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor with consequent tensions spilling over into violence. We see around us a betrayal of the poor and marginalized, the tribals, dalits and other backward classes, women and other groups who live in dehumanising and oppressive poverty. We witness rampant exploitation of children. There is disappointment with those in public life for whom ethical concerns matter little. The Church does not wish to rest on her laurels. She recommits herself to being a prophetic Church, taking a decisive stand in favour of the poor and marginalized. We envision an India with more attributes of the Kingdom of God such as justice and equity with its consequent fruits of love, peace and joy.”  

At the 31^st CBCI Meeting on, ‘Renewed Church for a Renewed Society – Responding to the Call of Vatican II’, the Bishops’ statement emphatically stated, “We witness the trend to fundamentalism which seeks to dilute the secular character of our nation. Against this trend, we stand by the values upheld by the Indian Constitution and appeal to governments to respect these values …. The experience of God, will lead us to involvement in and solidarity with the marginalized and the exploited, those suffering from disabilities, those living in the peripheries of economic, cultural and social spheres. We will speak out against all forms of injustice meted out to them and we will defend their rights.” The statement of the 32^nd Plenary Assembly in 2016 on the theme, ‘The Response of the Church in India to the Present Day Challenges’ appears like a ‘dhobi-list’ without any direction, leave alone a plan of action.

Whereas the CBCI Statement of the 33rd Assembly in 2018 was surprisingly strong stating, “Any attempt to promote nationalism based on any one particular culture or religion is a dangerous position. It may lead to uniformity but never to genuine unity. Such misconceived efforts can only lead our nation on the path of self-annihilation. Mono-culturalism has never been and can never be the right answer to the quest for peace, progress and development, especially in a country like ours that has a rich diversity of culture, language, region, race and religion. Violence always recoils upon the violent sooner or later…We deplore the rising incidence of atrocities against women, killings, caste rivalries and communal violence which includes attacks on Christian institutions and communities. Therefore, let us follow the path of true nationalism that can lead our motherland to true peace, harmony, progress and prosperity…We wish to urgently call all people of goodwill to uphold the rule of law guaranteed by our Indian Constitution.”

Finally, the last CBCI Statement at their 34^th Plenary Assembly held in 2020 spoke about, “False nationalistic ideologies that instigate contempt for cultures other than the majoritarian dominant culture are capable of perpetrating atrocities. It is necessary to clarify the essential difference between patriotism and pseudo nationalism. Patriotism builds up the nation while pseudo nationalism destroys the integrity, unity and harmony of the nation. Nationalism, particularly in its most radical and extreme forms, is thus the antithesis of true patriotism. We appeal to the State authorities to ensure that pseudo nationalism does not continue to give rise to new forms of totalitarianism. Together with the framers of the Constitution, we, the Catholic Bishops of India, affirm that religion shall not be a criterion for determining Indian citizenship…Needless to say that dissent should not be misconstrued as un-patriotism. Democracy cannot be built on monologue”.

Significant, powerful, incisive statements indeed! But is that enough? What happens after that? Were there any clear directions and actions with definite monitoring mechanisms to internalise them, to propagate them and to ensure their actualisation? If a survey is conducted today most of the priests and religious, leave alone the laity, would never have heard of these statements. Are there effective measures in place to respond to the signs of the times? Is the Church visible and vocal on the current violence regarding the agniveer scheme? Or when derogatory comments were made on the Prophet? What about the anti-farmer laws or the anti-worker Labour Codes? Or in keeping with the mandate of ‘Laudato Si’ – what’s the position of the Church when the environment is being systematically destroyed by the regime and the Adivasis are being deprived of their jal, jungle aur jameen? What about the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the sedition and other draconian laws and for those incarcerated under them – are we visible and vocal demanding the immediate repeal of such anti-people laws and for the unconditional release of all those illegally jailed? What about ‘love jihad’? Some High Courts have already declared it unconstitutional. That some Church hierarchy can support such a law is downright immoral and against the teachings of Jesus. An adult has a right to marry the person of one’s choice and also to embrace the religion of one’s choice. There are sufficient provisions in the CrPC to address any force or fraud. What about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)? or for that matter the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35 A in Kashmir? Are there any statements on the stifling of freedom of speech and expression in the country, the consistent attacks on freedom of religion?

In the recent weeks, the Church in India was embroiled in two controversies: On 19 May, about 150 managers, principals and others of Catholic educational institutions in Kerala were lured to a conclave organized by the BJP Minority Morcha at the five-star Lulu Marriot in Kochi to apparently discuss National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Leading academics and other intellectuals of the country have long trashed the NEP on several counts. It is anti-poor, anti-Constitutional and are a gross violation of the educational rights of minorities. The NEP is non-acceptable and non-negotiable. What is the official stand of the Catholic Church on it? Then there is the Bishop, in a clearly opportunistic but pathetic move, who equates the ideology of the RSS with that of Christianity. Something totally unacceptable. The RSS is against the Constitution of India, the national anthem, the tricolour, against the minorities, it swears by the Manu Smriti – which upholds the caste system and negates equality between women and men. The RSS ideology is in no way compatible with the person and message of Jesus. One always need dialogue, but within the framework of the Constitution where the rights and freedom of both sides are accepted and respected.

There is a deafening silence; perhaps a fear from the official Church on both these ‘events! Why? Prophets like Stan are courageous – in announcing the good news they have to denounce all that is evil in society. In doing so, they have to pay a heavy price. One needs to be reminded of the temptations of Jesus in the desert (Mt 4 :1- 11) during his days of prayers and fast. Satan uses all his wiles to tempt Jesus with the sins of power, privilege, position, possessions and pride. Jesus unequivocally rejects these temptations in totality and unconditionally. He does not hesitate; he does not run with the hare and hunt with the hound. He does not indulge in diplomacy or engage the devil with niceties. Jesus does not sup with the devil! He bluntly says, “get away from me Satan!” one often tends to forget that clear injunction from Jesus “Fear no one!” In our own times, Pope Francis asserts in his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Evangelii Gaudium’, that when human rights and gospel values are threatened “a prophetic voice must be raised.”  Stan did exactly that, all his life.

The Prophet Stan calls us to greater introspection. It is not easy. Like his Lord and Master, he sacrificed his life for a greater cause. We too are called to do likewise.  One may not have friends on the way; most of the disciples deserted Jesus. Our Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore motivates us to have the courage to “Ekla Chalo Re". 

If they answer not to thy call walk alone,

If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,

O thou unlucky one,

open thy mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,

O thou unlucky one,

trample the thorns under thy tread,

and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,

O thou unlucky one,

with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart

and let it burn alone.

It would certainly be a fitting tribute to Stan today, if needed, to walk alone... to burn alone...! Do we have the courage to do so?

(Fr Cedric Prakash is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist/writer. Contact: cedricprakash@gmail.com)