Social justice campaigners gathered in Parliament last week to discuss the case of a group of human rights’ activists jailed in India under controversial anti-terror laws.
The meeting, which was organised by Jesuit Missions, sought to raise awareness of those known as the ‘Bhima Koregaon 16’ (BK-16), who worked for the rights of minority groups in India, including Adivasi (indigenous tribal), Dalit (low caste) and Muslim communities.
These 16 individuals were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for supposed crimes against the government of India and alleged involvement in violence surrounding protests in 2018 in Bhima Koregaon.
Among them were artists, professors, lawyers, journalists, political commentators, and the late Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy, who died in custody in July 2021, aged 84. Some of the others are still being held in detention without trial.
Chaired by Lord Harries of Pentregarth, the discussions covered the history of the BK-16, what can be done to support its members, and the campaign to clear Fr Stan’s name.
Four parliamentarians, including Lord Harries, attended the meeting, alongside Jesuits, university students, representatives from Jesuit Missions, PEN International, London Mining Network and Fossil Free Science Museum, and Anthropology Professor Alpa Shah, whose latest book, The Incarcerations, covers the BK-16 case.
Professor Shah said she was inspired to write the book due to the “sheer scale of injustice that [the case] signified” and “what it reveals about democracy in India”.
It was noted that the plight of the BK-16 and minorities in India could be debated in the House of Lords, while it would also be brought to the attention of Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Jesuit Missions has consistently campaigned on behalf of Fr Stan following his arrest, calling on the Indian authorities to free him and, since his death, formally declare his innocence.
It wrote to Mr Lammy last year asking him to support this campaign and has contacted the Indian High Commission in an attempt to organise a meeting to talk about the case.
On April 25, the day before what would have been Fr Stan’s 88th birthday, Jesuit Missions intends to deliver memorial cards in his honour to the High Commission to raise awareness of the campaign to clear his name.
Paul Chitnis, Director of Jesuit Missions, said: “Fr Swamy’s death in custody, after being charged with crimes for which there is no evidence, is a stain on the Indian government’s reputation.
“Justice delayed is justice denied and so Jesuit Missions is committed to supporting the efforts of the Jesuits in India in calling for Fr Swamy’s name to be cleared and for the BK-16 to undergo due process in the Indian courts without further delay.”
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