By Thomas Scaria

Mangaluru, Oct 7, 2021: Some right wing Hindu groups in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have objected to naming a private park after Jesuit Father Stan Swamy, who died in judicial custody three months ago.

The park is situated inside the campus of 140-year-old St Aloysius College in Mangaluru, a port city in the state.

The college is part of a network of educational institutions administered by the Society of Jesus in India.

The Mangalore college recently decided to name their park after Father Swamy, who is revered by many for sacrificing his life for the poor tribal communities in Jharkhand, eastern India.

However, Hindu groups on October 6 condemned the college’s decision threatened to protest if the management goes ahead with its plan.

The opposing groups are the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the students wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that heads the federal and several state governments, including Karnataka, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and Bajrang Dal (the party of the strong and stout).

Sharan Pumbwell, VHP zonal secretary, told reporters that Father Swamy was arrested under India’s anti-terror law — the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act – as he had faced serious allegations like promoting terrorism and Maoism.

“It is an insult to society if the park is named after him,” he added. He also said the Hindu groups would protest if the management goes ahead with its plan. The groups have also submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner in this regard.

The ABVP secretary suggested that the college could name the park after renowned politicians and college’s alumni such as Oscar Fernandes or George Fernandes, who, he said had contributed to society.

Oscar died September 13 this year, aged 80, while George passed away on January 29, 2019, when he was 88.

Some Catholic leaders say the controversy is unnecessary and urge groups to keep away from the internal matters of private institution.

“The political groups have no rights to interfere with the internal matters of St. Aloysius College,” asserts Jesuit Father Joe Xavier, the director of the Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru, where Father Swamy had served as a trainer and director for years.

Speaking to Matters India October 7, Father Xavier, a close friend of Father Swamy, said the park is proposed inside the college property and “Father Stan Swamy was the member of our congregation.”

Father Faustine Lobo, the spokesperson of the Catholic Church in Karnataka, points out that St. Aloysius College has served society for 140 years without discriminating anyone on the religious, caste or social grounds. The extremist groups, he asserts, should not interfere with the college affairs.

“Moreover, Father Stany is a Jesuit who had worked for the empowerment of the downtrodden, especially the tribal communities and the Jesuits have every right to name the park after his name,” the Mangalore diocesan priest told Matters India.

Meanwhile the college has postponed naming of the park respecting the advice of City Police Commissioner K V Rajendra. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is in the city for a October 7-9 visit.

The college, established in 1880, has more than 15,000 students.

Father Swamy died July 5 this year, while undergoing treatment for Covid-19 related complications in Mumbai’s Holy Family Hospital. He was arrested October 8, 2020, from his residence near Ranchi, Jharkhand state capital, by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.