Exactly five years ago, on 5 July 2021, Jesuit Father Stan Swamy died, in what has been widely described as an institutional killing. He was “killed” because he refused to kow-tow to a brutal, fascist regime. He was killed because he took a stand for justice and truth! He was killed because he joined the Adivasis and the other subalterns for a more dignified, equitable, and humane life! He was killed because he refused to compromise with corrupt, communal, anti-people, anti –constitutional forces! He was killed because he believed in humanity and in the power of ordinary people! What Stan’s murderers never bargained for is that Stan the martyr will never die! Stan was a martyr for justice – he lives in the hearts, souls, and minds of millions today and forever!
Stan Swamy, the Martyr, is no longer around today- but if he were physically present in this world today, what exactly would he be doing?
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would be in the midst of the Adivasis. His life would be very simple and frugal. He would eat their food, sing their songs, and dance with them. He would identify with them totally. Yes, of course, he would be angry if others tried to destroy their identity, their culture and customs, their traditions, and their value systems. He would master their language and walk the talk with them.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would accompany the Adivasis and other subalterns in their relentless quest for justice. He would have no qualms of conscience to take on the powerful, vested interests who deny the Adivasis of their legitimate jal- jungle– jameen rights. He would have been fearless in exposing the profiteers, who loot the nation of its precious natural resources for their greed in amassing scandalous amounts of wealth. He would challenge the system for destroying the environment and the fragile ecosystems in Jharkhand, in the Aravalli hills, in the Nicobar Islands, and elsewhere!
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would fight for the land rights of the Adivasis! He would join the Adivasis, the Dalits, other subalterns, and civil society members in the struggles against the violation of laws in acquiring land for mega projects, for mining (coal mining continues to be rampant in Jharkhand and in other tribal areas today), and infrastructural development, which flout the rights of the downtrodden. He would challenge all corporate encroachments. He would raise his voice in democratic, legitimate ways against the state-sponsored violations of laws and the assault on the democratic rights of people, aimed at paving the way for unrestricted exploitation of land and natural resources. He would question the non-implementation of the 5th Schedule of the Constitution, and why the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act [PESA], which is being ignored. He would strongly express his disappointment at the silence of the Government on the landmark 1997 Samantha Judgment of the Supreme Court; he would speak out strongly against the half-hearted action of the Government on the ‘Forest Rights Act, 2006’. He would express his apprehensions at the Amendment to the ‘Land Acquisition Act 2013’ by the Jharkhand government, which was a death-knell for the Adivasi Community. He would strongly disagree with the setting up of ‘Land Banks’, which he saw as a calculated plot to annihilate the Adivasis.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would be with the young adults! He would take seriously the letter (dated May 24, 2026) of Fr Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Jesuits, in which he says that we are missioned “to accompany young adults in their search for a hope-filled future. That search today is not an easy one. We are seeing a trampling on human rights, a disregard for our common home, the breakdown of international order, war, and a recklessness about human life at all its stages.” Through the ‘Persecuted Prisoners’ Solidarity Committee’, he would challenge the indiscriminate arrest of three thousand young Adivasis under the label of ‘naxals’ just because they questioned and resisted unjust land alienation and displacement. He would have supported the demands and the initiatives of the youth protesting (some even fasting) at ‘Jantar Mantar’, Delhi!
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would openly take on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). He would regard it as a blatant attack on the country’s citizens and a gross violation of the Constitutional guarantee of the right to exercise one’s franchise. He would be concerned that thousands of Adivasis, minorities, and other poor people would be systematically disenfranchised for want of ‘legitimate’ documents. He would join civil society groups as they voice their protests on the SIR and highlight the mass disenfranchisement of citizens in West Bengal, Bihar, and elsewhere!
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would take a stand for the small farmers and the ordinary workers! He would voice his concern about how the three Central Farm Laws (which are now on hold) are patently against the small farmer. He would speak strongly against the four labour codes, which have become law today! The small farmers and the ordinary workers are pitted against the powerful corporations.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would have welcomed ‘Magnifica Humanitas’. The first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV makes an unequivocal and non-negotiable case for the protection and the enhancement of the dignity of the human person, the inviolability of human rights and the indispensability of justice and peace in today’s world. Pope Leo states, “human rights are inviolable, since they are “inherent in the human person and in human dignity.” Consequently, they are universal and inalienable. Precisely because they are grounded in the common dignity of every man and woman, they have practical consequences and legal effects, for “it would be vain to proclaim human rights if, at the same time, everything was not done to ensure the duty of respecting them, respect by all, in all places and for all.” Stan would say that this is exactly what the Church should be doing!
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would rededicate himself to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India. He would speak about the sanctity of it and that no one has the right to trample on it. He would insist that justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity, unity, integrity, secularism, and pluralism are the values enshrined in our Constitution. Women should be empowered and given their rightful and equal place in Parliament. That delimitation and delisting are gross manipulations. That citizens have the right to dissent and voice their protest against corruption, communalism, and corporatisation. He would take on the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act(UAPA), which ensured his death, and which still keeps the likes of Umar Khalid and others illegally incarcerated.
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would say once again those immortal words he said before his arrest on 8 October 2020. “Over the last two decades, I have identified myself with the Adivasi people and their struggle for a life of dignity and self-respect… In this process, I have clearly expressed my dissent over several policies and laws enacted by the government in light of the Indian Constitution. I have questioned the validity, legality, and justness of several steps taken by the government and the ruling class. If this makes me a ‘deshdrohi’, then so be it. We are part of the process. In a way, I am happy to be part of this process. I am not a silent spectator, but part of the game and ready to pay the price, whatever be it…. I/we must be ready to face the consequences. I would just add that what is happening to me is not unique. Many activists, lawyers, writers, journalists, student leaders, poets, intellectuals, and others who stand for the rights of Adivasis, Dalits, and the marginalised and express their dissent to the ruling powers of the country are being targeted. Grateful to all who have stood in solidarity with me all these years.”
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today, he would have challenged ME and YOU! He would say in his own calm, gentle, unassuming way, “Wake up, now! It is high time you realise what is happening to the country and to our people! And do something about it urgently and collaboratively!”
If Stan Swamy, the Martyr, were alive today … but Stan Swamy NEVER died! He lives forever!
July 2, 2026
(The author is a human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist trainer & writer.)