Latest news with #StanSwamy
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Naxals are our comrades who fight for the people: VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan
TIRUCHY: 'Naxals are our comrades who fight for people's rights. They are not anti-social elements,' said Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan, while unveiling a statue of tribal rights activist Fr. Stan Swamy in his native village of Viragalur on Saturday, marking the priest's fourth death anniversary. 'They are the voice for the voiceless. They take up arms not for personal gain, but to protect the forests and resist corporates who loot resources and suppress tribal communities,' he said, referring to the armed movements in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and other forested belts of Central India. While acknowledging that Naxals do not believe in parliamentary democracy and have even criticised VCK and communist parties. Thirumavalavan added, 'We don't accept their path, but we recognise their sacrifice. Like Stan Swamy, they dedicate their lives to the people.' Taking a veiled swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's repeated calls to eliminate Naxals, he questioned the narrative that paints them solely as enemies of the state.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Naxals are fighting for rights of the marginalised, says Thirumavalavan
Challenging Union Home Minister Amit Shah's repeated declarations of eradicating Naxalism, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday described Naxalites as 'comrades' and 'sons of the soil', who resist corporate exploitation and fight for the rights of marginalised communities. On the fourth death anniversary of Father Stan Swamy, a statue in his honour was unveiled at the St. Peter's Higher Secondary School in his native village of Viragalur. The event was organised by the Stan Swamy People's Federation in collaboration with residents of the Viragalur panchayat. 'Dalits should be clear that Naxalites are not enemies of the nation. They are people who have taken up arms in defence of forest land, mineral wealth, and the rights of the Adivasis and Dalits. Naxals live in extreme hardship, not for personal gain, but to resist the looting of natural wealth by corporates,' Mr. Thirumavalavan said. Mr. Thirumavalavan also said: 'We may differ in methods with Naxals on their approach towards electoral politics, but our goals are aligned. What is wrong with having contact with them? How can such relationships be deemed anti-national or anti-people?' However, Stan Swamy was not associated with the Naxal movement, he maintained. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, addressing the gathering, urged everyone to uphold the legacy of Stan Swamy. DMK MP Kanimozhi described the current struggle for human rights as 'another freedom movement', drawing parallels between historical revolutionaries and modern-day activists. Saying that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's consistent opposition towards the Union government must be supported, she said: 'This is not just electoral opposition; it is a fight for future generations. The legacy we must leave behind is not just land or wealth—but freedom, rights, and dignity.' Criticising the Centre, she alleged that it functioned 'not for the people, but for corporates'. 'Any voice raised against corporate exploitation is silenced—through intimidation, false cases, or even murder. Anyone who questions the BJP is branded anti-national or an urban Naxal. If that is the label for speaking truth, we can wear it with pride.' Leaders from various political parties, including CPI State President R. Mutharasan, CPI(M) leader P. Shanmugham, Kolathur Mani of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Lalgudi MLA Soundarapandian, and MLA Inigo Iruthayaraj, along with human rights activist Henry Tiphagne, also addressed the gathering.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Repeal UAPA, withdraw cases: DMK, allies remember Stan Swamy on death anniversary
Trichy: Senior DMK leaders and their allies on Saturday squarely blamed the Modi govt for the death of 84-year-old tribal rights activist Stan Swamy in a Jharkhand prison in 2021, calling it an injustice that cannot be undone. At an event organised by the Stan Swamy People's Federation (Tamil Nadu chapter) in his hometown of Virugalur to mark his fourth death anniversary, DMK MP Kanimozhi accused the Union government of fostering a climate of fear to silence dissent. "Today, asking questions of the Union government makes you an anti-national or an urban Naxal. That's exactly what happened to Stan Swamy. He wasn't even given water in prison, but he was given names," she said. Kanimozhi added that she would move a private bill in Parliament to safeguard human rights . VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said Swamy was targeted for standing up for dalits and tribals, and was wrongly charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). "Amit Shah often says Naxalism will be abolished. For us, Naxals are people who fight for the rights of the people, who fight against the corporates, and who oppose handing over forests, natural resource-rich land, and land belonging to indigenous people to corporations," he said. "The BJP falsely accused him of plotting to kill Modi. His laptop was hacked to fabricate evidence," he claimed. Swamy's death, he said, was part of a pattern of targeting voices critical of the state. "Gauri Lankesh and Narendra Dabholkar were also killed because of their leftist leanings." School education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said the DMK will continue Swamy's work for the marginalised. "The Union government falsely implicated him simply for fighting for the marginalised," he said. "We (DMK) are continuing from where Stan Swamy left off in his fight to uplift the downtrodden," he said. CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan demanded that the Centre withdraw all cases filed against those named in the Bhima-Koregaon case and repeal the UAPA, calling it a law used to suppress dissent. Eight resolutions were passed at the event, including demands for a memorial for Stan Swamy, repeal of UAPA, and immediate withdrawal of cases against Bhima-Koregaon accused.
Scroll.in
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Video: The courage and death of Stan Swamy
On July 5, 2021, Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy, Adivasi rights activist and a central figure in the on fight for justice for India's marginalised communities, died in custody. He had been arrested on October 8, 2020. He was among 16 members of civil society arrested under anti-terror laws. However, reports by independent researchers allege that the evidence being used by the authorities to act against them had been planted by hackers. In this conversation on the life, work, and legacy of Swamy, the panel discusses his decades-long work with Adivasis and undertrials, his commitment to human rights, and the events that led to his arrest. They talk about his time in jail and the denial of basic medical care. It features author and peace worker Harsh Mander, filmmaker Meghnath, activist Aloka Kujur and Father PM Tony, director of Bagaicha, the institute founded by Swamy in Ranchi.
Scroll.in
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Arun Ferreira
Ad Stories written by I saw firsthand how callous prison officials and their negligence lead to Stan Swamy's death The deterioration of the 84-year-old in Taloja Jail was evident. Jail medical staff watched it happen, recalls a fellow prisoner. Arun Ferreira · 10 minutes ago How the system broke Stan Swamy: A cell mate recalls the activist's last days in prison The 84-year-old Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist, who had been arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case in October, died on July 5. Arun Ferreira · Aug 12, 2021 · 06:30 am I was jailed on suspicion of being a Maoist. Kerala verdict could save others from my fate Judge rules that mere membership of a banned organisation is not a crime. The police must prove that the accused person has actually been involved in an act of violence. Arun Ferreira · May 25, 2015 · 09:00 am 'As I stepped into freedom, the police abducted me from the gates of Nagpur jail' In 2007, Arun Ferreira was arrested for being a Maoist. After spending nearly five years in jail, he was cleared of all charges. His searing diary about his time in prison will be in stores this week. Arun Ferreira · Sep 06, 2014 · 05:30 am
