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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline JULY 16, 2021 | The Indian Eye 26

india-uS Democracy Foundation holds

remembrance meeting for Fr Stan Swamy

Our Bureau its own citizens!

New York Father John Thomas of Or-
thodox Church pondered what
iving Stan was a noble- it would be like if any one of
man, but the departed us would be in Fr. Stan’s shoes.
LStan is unstoppable and Will we get intimidated or pull
his voice on behalf of the poor back? Father Stan’s life is a tes-
and the downtrodden is even tament to all of us and should
stronger and will resonate it inspire us to stand up and fight
throughout history,” said Father for what is right.
Noby Ayyaneth of the Malan- Father P.M. Thomas, Vicar-
kara Catholic Diocese of North in-charge of Marthoma Church
America condoling the death in Queens Village, said Father
of Father Stan Swamy at a re- Stan’s passing had created a big
membrance meeting organized void, and each of us has a role to
under the banner of Indo-US play in continuing his work. He
Democracy Foundation in Flo- asked not to be discouraged but
ral Park, New York. Jesus Christ to continue the fight until the
was a master humanitarian, and truth is revealed.
Fr. Stan was following in his Mr. Amir Rashid, Director
master’s footsteps. For him, suf- at NYPD who hails from Bi-
fering was not a tragedy in the har, described the hardships the
face of injustice and as he could marginalized people suffer at
not be a silent spectator”. the powerful hands in States like
Mr. George Abraham, Exec- Jharkhand. Father Stan Swamy
utive Director of the India-US was the voice for the voiceless,
Democracy Foundation, wel- and as long as this same power
comed the gathering and stated structure exists, these injustices
‘it is a dark day for democracy in will continue to be tolerated.
India and Father Stan Swamy’s Dr. Surinder Malhotra, for-
detention, treatment in prison mer President of the Indian
and death is a blot on the na- Overseas Congress described
tion’s consciousness and a trav- the pathetic situation in India
esty of justice. He expressed his as far as caste and religion is
disappointment that in today’s concerned. Unlike the United
India, the presumption of inno- States, even for a job applica-
cence is becoming a thing of the ally and spiritually to carry on political leaders and the judi- tion, they want to know your
past. India is about to celebrate with his work on behalf of the ciary treated him in India. Fa- religion. Even in our Diaspora
its 75th Independence Day, and weaker sections of society. As ther Stan represented Christ’s here, they tend to ask wheth-
our founding fathers built dem- Indian Americans, we must teachings to its core and did er he is a Hindu or a Christian,
ocratic institutions that stood demand our politicos to speak his best to uplift the neglected north Indian or south Indian,
the test of time and protected out when authorities target the ones by a caste system that is in and such intolerance is so evi-
democracy, freedom, individual poor and downtrodden in In- place over centuries. Jesus said, dent and has become part of our
liberty, and equal justice under dia. UAPA is a draconian law love your enemies and pray for mindset. He condoled the death
law. However, these institutions that the Supreme Court should those who persecute you, and of a man who dedicated his en-
are increasingly under attack have reviewed, and it is a shame Fr. Stan’s life exemplified those tire life to doing good but ended
and are being diminished. To- that an innocent man had to pay principles. During the freedom up dying in custody.
day, anyone who dares to criti- with his life this way. struggle, Mahatma Gandhi was Dr. Anna George, President
cize the authorities is in danger Pastor Wilson Jose, Pas- jailed many times by the Brit- of the Indian Nurses’ Associa-
of being termed anti-national. tor of the Grace International ish authorities. However, they tion in New York, called Father
Professor Indrajit Saluja, Church in Mineola, said while respected his ideals and made Stan Swamy’s imprisonment
Publisher of Indian Panorama we have gathered here to cel- sure no harm happened to him. and death cruel and unusual
Newspaper, said Father Stan ebrate Father Stan’s life, we Sadly today, the Government of punishment. She asked for rais-
Swamy was a frail and weak would like to express our indig- India lacks even that basic level ing our collective voices to stop
man physically but strong mor- nation as Pravasis, the way the of humanity in the treatment of this from this happening again.

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