New Delhi: An advocacy group for Catholic religious has “strongly and unequivocally” condemned the arrest of a Jesuit priest for his alleged links with Maoists and other terror groups.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which deals with terror related crimes across India, October 8 arrested Jesuit Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy from his residence near Ranchi, capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand for his is alleged links with Maoists and banned organizations.
The Jesuit has spent more than half a century serving tribal and other vulnerable communities in eastern India, says the forum of Religious for Justice and Peace. It termed the arrest as an “inhuman treatment” that “speaks volumes of the deterioration of the democratic ethos in the country.”
The federal counter terrorism law enforcement agency arrested the Jesuit priest is in connection with the ongoing investigation into the 2018 violence at Bhima Koregaon, a tiny village near the western Indian city of Pune.
The Bhima Koregaon case dates back to January 1, 2018, the day of the bicentenary celebrations of the Bhima Koregaon battle. The celebration was marred by violence leading to death of one person and injuries to several others. Dalits and higher-caste Maratha people clashed in several parts of Maharashtra.
Police investigation into the incident led to the arrest of several activists for their alleged “Maoist links.” The police alleged that they funded the Elgar Parishad meeting on December 31, 2017, where inflammatory speeches were made, leading to the violence.
The NIA has taken the Jesuit priest to an undisclosed destination.
The form comprising Catholic nuns, brothers and priests urged the Indian government to ensure the Jesuit social activist’s “unconditional and immediate release.”
It has decided to observe October 10 as day of prayer and fast in solidarity with Father Swamy and hundreds of others arrested for their involvement among the poor.
The forum points out that the anti-terror agency had interrogated the priest for more than 15 hours spread over six days. Therefore, it seeks a guarantee from the government that Father Swamy is no longer “victimized.”
“We also demand the immediate and unconditional release of all human rights defenders and other dissenters who have been illegally detained and incarcerated for the last several months,” a statement from the forum says.
The forum also called upon fellow citizens “who cherish the rights and freedom enshrined in our Constitution to join us in condemning Stan’s illegal detention and to help ensure his immediate release.”