By Matters India Reporter
Mumbai: Jesuit tribal activist Father Stan Swamy was on May 18 taken to a hospital in Mumbai to give Covid-19 vaccine.
The octogenarian Jesuit was then brought back to the Taloja jail near Mumbai where he was lodged on October 9, 2020.
The vaccine was given at Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital or J J Hospital, according to people monitoring the Jesuit’s legal matters.
According to them, the 84-year-old priest was given the first dose of vaccine for Covid-19.
Father Swamy was taken to the hospital after his friends and conferrers raised a much hue and cry after he developed symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
Father Swamy’s “health condition is getting worse. He has severe cold, fever, body pain and diarrhea,” Irudaya Swamy, the priest’s elder brother, told a press conference on May 15.
The 90-year-old elder brother also said that Father Stan could not attend his lawyer’s the call on May 15. “We doubt that he is affected by Covid 19. We are worried,” he had said.
On May 18, Shashi Tharoor, a former UN official, demanded the immediate release of Father Swamy from the jail or provide him treatment on humanitarian consideration.
“Father Stan Swamy has to be released on the basis of human consideration. He has all the rights for this. If his release is not possible, admit him to a hospital at least. Please treat him as a human at least,” in a statement published in a Congress website.
On May 16, Jesuit Father Arockiasamy Santhanam, spokesperson for the National Lawyers Forum of Religious and Priests, wrote to the National Human Rights Commission to direct the Taloja prison authorities to strict follow the Covid 19 protocol issued by the commission. He also wanted ailing prisoners in the jail, especially Father Swamy shifted to a well-equipped private hospital for treatment.
The Jesuit lawyer also urged the commission to set up a high level committee or delegation comprising retired Supreme Court Judges, doctors and Civil Society leaders to make an on the spot study of the Taloja prison without any delay.
Wishing the Reverend Stan Good health. God bless.
Stan was taken to the hospital for check up and vaccination only. As per one Jesuit’s WhatsApp message, he was taken back to the Jail.
In spite of having numerous “mighty institutions”, presence of highly qualified scholars, writers, social/human rights activists, human/material resource, the Catholic church has “utterly failed” to bring Stan out of jail.
How can this church work to liberate and empower millions of marginalized communities?
Great relief to know. How is it that he didn’t get his vaccination upto now. Shame on the government. Praying for Stan. Also appreciate Tharoor’s timely intervention.