In gratitude and solidarity with Fr Stan and in recognition of his contribution to upholding democracy in our country, the BJES organised a silent, peaceful protest on 12 October, 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, with a human chain starting from Brigade Road Junction to Shantinagar Bus Depot.
For SJBHS, it was a deeply meaningful day as 160 plus staff members, parents and alumni of the school were on the streets and in our institutions, expressing solidarity with Fr Stan and the many other Human Right Defenders.
Using our social media platforms, we created awareness and staff members are attending webinars to express their solidarity with Fr Stan and seeking justice for other nation builders, social activists and public intellectuals.
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Press Release
The Bangalore Jesuit Educational Institutions (BJES) Bengaluru, expresses its deep anguish at the arrest of Fr Stan Swamy SJ from his residence in Jharkhand. He is being falsely accused in the Bhima Koregaon incident of 2018 as punishment for democratically expressing dissent with several policies and laws enacted by the Government.
Fr Stan has cooperated with investigating agencies and provided detailed statements to prove his innocence. A Jesuit priest, Fr Stan is 83 years old and has spent 50 years with Adivasi and indigenous people, supporting their struggle for land rights and economic self-sufficiency.
His arrest during the pandemic poses great risk to his frail health and the future of civil rights in our country.
In gratitude and solidarity with Fr Stan and in recognition of his contribution to upholding democracy in our country, there will be a Silent Human Chain on 12 October 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, starting at Brigade Road Junction to Shantinagar Bus Depot.