BM Bureau, Nov 17 : Demanding release of Octogenarian Jesuit Priest Rev Fr Stan Swamy, Christians in Belagavi belonging to different churches and denominations staged silent protests in Belagavi on Tuesday. Bishop of Belagavi Rev Dr Derek Fernandes, Rector of Jesuits Fr Ronald D’Souza and Fr Simon Fernandes from Goa , priests, nuns and Christian leaders from different parts of Belagavi district were present. Wearing black masks and holding placards and banners the rally was conducted amid pin drop silence.
Fr Swamy who was arrested on October 8,is imprisoned at Taloja Central Jail under the alleged Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, under which bail is denied. Reportedly he is also subjected to torture and Covid 19 threat.
The rally commenced at the Rani Chenamma Circle at 11.15 am and proceeded to the Deputy Commissioners Office. A delegation comprising of Bishop Fernandes, Fr D’Souza, Fr Simon, Louis Rodrigues and others submitted the memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Dr M G Hiremath who assured that he will forward the memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office .
“ The district administration will safeguard the Christians and also extend all possible cooperation to the community,” Dr Hiremath assured.
In the memorandum Christians have expressed deep shock and anguish at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking into its custody Fr Stan Swamy (84) from his residence at Ranchi, on alleged charges of sedition and connection with the Elgar Parishad that preceded the caste based violence at Bhima Koregaon near Pune on December 31, 2017. He is among the 16 whom NIA has accused of personal links with the banned extremist groups of Maoists.
“ Fr Stan is associated jal, jungle and jameen movement for four decades working for poor tribals, accompanying them closely by defending, propagating and protecting their civil rights.He also heads the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan, a people’s movement against displacement and has filmed and published untold sufferings of Adivasi youth falsely accused and imprisoned.
Christians have also condemned the high handedness of NIA in arresting Fr Stan suffering from comorbidities for which he had expressed inability to travel to Mumbai.
“ Joining the nationwide protest in support of Stan, we hereby condemn his arrest and demand his immediate release along with all those who are arbitrarily incarcerated for championing the cause of the poor and the exploited,” the memorandum states.
Meanwhile tension prevailed in the DC compound as another protest rally by Bajrang Dal too reached the same time demanding removal of speakers from atop the masjids in the city.
Photos : 1. Christians during the silent protests in Belgavi 2. Bishop Derek Fernandes and others submit a memorandum to DC Dr Hiremath. Photos by Stephen