By Irudhaya Jothi SJ

Konchowki: There is a renewed vigor and commitment for the cause of social justice among the Jesuits today than a month back.

Hundreds of young Jesuits are willing to replace Father Stan Swamy, an 83-year-old Jesuit Tribal rights activist, who on November 9 completes one month in Taloja Central Jail in Mumbai.

The National Investigation Agency arrested Father Stan on October 8 for his alleged involvement in the Bhima-Koregaon case. The agency presented him in a Mumbai that sent him to judicial custody.

Stan moved the special court in Mumbai for permission to use a straw and sipper cup for drinking as he suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

Due to this sickness of tremor he has been finding it difficult to hold a cup and so needed a sipper.

He also suffers from hearing impairment and has fallen in the jail multiple times. He has been operated on for hernia twice and still suffers lower abdomen pain.

The NIA has alleged that Swamy is a member of banned communist party of India (Maoist) and is involved in a conspiracy to instigated caste violence in Bhima Koregaon near Pune in 2018.

The Bhima-Koregaon case refers to violence that erupted in the vicinity of a war memorial in the village of that name on January 1, 2018.

This was allegedly after provocative speeches were made during the Elgar Parishad conclave held a day earlier at Shaniwarwada in Pune.

The NIA had opposed bail, declaring that the octogenarian had been booked under the stringent UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) and was therefore not allowed bail.

Last one month has been soul searching for the Christians in general and Jesuits in particular in India who are known educators of the country.

The issue of ‘Preferential Option for the poor’ as mandated in the General Congregation of the Jesuits surfaced once again clearly.

“I am not a silent spectator but part of the game’ and ‘I am ready to pay the price whatever be it,” were the words of Father Stan before his arrest. His statement has evoked deep sense of commitment among many Jesuits today.

Jesuit novice master Father Sajeev Painungal, who trains young Jesuits in Dhyan Ashram in Kolkata. says, Tthe young Jesuits are very inspired by all that is happening to one of their elder brother and they are motivated.”

Saying of Tertullian, “The blood of the martyr is the seed of Christianity’ is very relevant today for us in the context of Stan’s arrest,” says the novice master.

The director of Indian Social Institute Delhi, Father Denzil Fernandes says Father Stan’s imprisonment has evoked mixed responses from the Jesuits all over the world.

Father Fernandes says many Jesuits have recommitted to the justice issue and stand with Stan and the cause for which he is paying the price in jail today. “Others are shocked by the government response and wonder if Stan stretched his mission a bit too much?,” he adds.

One of the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Jesuits is to walk with the poor, the outcaste of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice.

The 32nd General Congregation, the apex body of the Jesuits, in 1975 defined the mission of the Jesuits on this line as Service of Faith, of which the promotion of justice is an absolute requirement.

But the phrase, “preferential option for the poor” was first used in 1968 by then Superior General of the Jesuits, Pedro Arrupe, in his letter to his order.

The term was later picked up by the Catholic bishops of Latin America.

It was a point of arrival and a point of departure. It transformed the Jesuit identity and mission.

Father Stan is the product of such a transformation.

The young Jesuits are energised today and ready to even replace Stan in the Jail if that is possible.

One thing is clear, many Stans among the Jesuits are in line for the cause of justice for Dalit, Adivasis, Minorities, children, Environment, women, migrants and refugees.

Stan stood for the rights of Advasis, namely, Jal, Jangal, Jamin (water, forest and land) which are guaranteed to them. The corporate houses are grabbing them and pushing the Adivasis to the peripheries.

Without land, forest and water the Adivasis lose their identity and dignity. Fr. Stan stood with these people as a beacon, “a fire that kindles other fire.”