The death of the 84-year-old Tribal rights activist, Fr. Stan Swamy in the judicial custody on July 5th, 2021, is considered by millions in India and abroad an institutional murder orchestrated by the Indian State. Hence, they consider him a martyr. But the ruling caste, class and establishment considers him a Maoist. This book aims at presenting facts and figures, arguments and counter-arguments, dates and data to highlight this fact that Fr. Stan Swamy was a law-abiding, constitution-upholding and truth-speaking citizen of this country. It also examines the fact that he was associated with the lives and the struggles of the Adivasis whose lives, dignity and constitutional rights were his primary focus. To achieve these, he aligned with the Adivasis, tribal activists and leaders, social and human rights activists and every conscious citizen.
This book is dedicated to the Adivasis who were the real motivators of Fr. Stan Swamy, since it is their lives and struggles which inspired him to commit himself with them for their emancipation. This book is dedicated to all the Tribal activists, social activists, human rights activists, political and cultural activists, and others who – like Stan – accompany the Adivasis, Dalits, minorities and most backward caste and class citizens of this country, for their rights and dignity. It is dedicated to the 15 co-accused in the Bhima Koregaon case and are languishing in jail, and thousands of others who oppose any form of fascism, authoritarianism and oppressive regimes.
Title: Fr. Stan Swamy: A Maoist or A Martyr?
Author: Prakash Louis
Publisher: Media House, New Delhi
Price: Rs. 290/
Pages: xvi + 279
The author is part of the team that is to explore the Uttar Pradesh Mission.
