Kohima: A peaceful demonstration to protest the alleged false implication and jailing of the 83-year old social activist and Jesuit priest Rev Fr Stan Swamy SJ was held in Kohima on November 17.

Updates from the organizers informed that the demonstration began with a prayer led by Rev Fr Richard Fernandes, Parish Priest of St Francis de Sales Parish, Kohima. A Scripture reading that highlighted the “blessedness of peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake” was done by Neizosie-o Jude Rhutsu, President of Southern Angami Catholic Youth Association.

The President of Catholic Association of Nagaland, Johny Ruangmei spoke on Fr Stan Swamy’s contribution to the tribals in Jharkhand and his work to win them their basic rights. He said that Fr Stan had dedicated decades fighting for Adivasi rights and claimed that the government is harassing him with false cases just to derail his work and keep the tribals subjugated and oppressed.

Lhousarovi Paul Rino, the President of Angami Catholic Union, spoke on the contribution of Christians to nation building. He highlighted the yeoman work done by Christian missionaries especially for the marginalized and downtrodden, one of the most well-known person being Mother Teresa. He also elaborated on the educational, medical, cultural and linguistic works of the Christian missionaries in India and the contribution of Christians to the economic progress of the country. He claimed that marginalized communities have benefited immensely from the work of Christian charitable organizations whose work to eradicate social evils and promote just societies is commendable, it said.

According to the release, Rino also underscored that many missionaries have had to pay a heavy price– including with their lives – for the service they rendered. Fr Stan Swamy is one such person who is jailed simply because he worked for a just society where every Indian is treated with dignity and respect, he said.

Rino made a public appeal to the state government of Nagaland, one of the few Christian dominant states in India, to put pressure on the central government to get Fr Stan Swamy released immediately.

The President of the Catholic Union of Christ King Parish, Kohima Keneingu Albert Rutsa spoke on the need to continue working for justice and truth while also praying for the persecutors. He also stressed that Christians do not subscribe to violent means when working for justice while quoting the words of Jesus on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Rev Fr Victor D’Mello SJ, Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Jakhama thanked all those who gathered to show support for the cause to ‘Free Fr Stan Swamy.’ He thanked the speakers, the public administration for providing the required permissions, the police, other public organizations, and all well-wishers who provided support and prayers.

The organizers further informed that all are welcome to visit the website https://standwithstan.jcsaweb.org#support and sign the petition to free Fr Stan Swamy.

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