KOLKATA: A silent and prayerful solidarity walk for Fr. Stan Lourdu Swamy was organised on Saturday. October 17 in Kolkata by Mother Teresa International Award Committee. The Centre should release Father Stan Swamy otherwise all minorities will come together and agitate an Imam of Nakhoda Mosque said at the end of a silent walk on Park Street expressing solidarity with the 83-year-old Jesuit priest. 'If one brother is facing injustice, the other brothers will be silent spectators said Maulana Shalique Qasmi.
Maulana Qasmi added: 'Father Stan Swamy has been arrested without having committed any qasoor and it is our request that the government release him unconditionally. Else, all minorities in the country will agitate against The Imam was part of a protest where a group of Christians including priests and nuns walked through Park Street,School principals and teachers joined them. Archbishop Thomas D' Souza who joined the event after the walk concluded, said: The way he was treated, very inhuman way, cruel way I might say is not acceptable to us, Therefore, along with all countrymen right-thinking people, people of goodwill, we also want to show our displeasure and certainly want to protest against that treatment to an elderly sick person who has worked for the poor,Therefore, today we appeal and demand that he be released and like him so many others.Thank You for coming here to show your solidarity for this particular cause, Once spin we appeal to the government to release Father Stan Swamy-The archbishop added: are here to show our solidarity with him. He is not alone but we are with him so that his suffering and the cause for which he has fought and has been lighting for the tribals the Dalits, their issues of injustice, their human rights has been uppermost tor him all his life to tell him we are with him. Father J Felix Raj one of the leaders of the sally, said the Calcutta protest would inspire many others to raise their strict. 'We are here as brothers and sisters of Father Stan Swamy and raising our voice. And I am sure our rally our attempt our effort will be an Inspiration to many, many churches to many, many communities and centres to many, many organisations to start and express their opposition express their protest raise their voice.' said Father Felix Raj.
This is the 10th day he (Father Stan Swamy) is in jail. Let us wait and see what happens.... Father Felix Raj added. He has been working for the people of Jharkhand particularly for the tribal community. for more than 50 years lie is not an activist alone a man who has studied a man who has researched the lives, the problems of the tribal communities. His life has been Issue-based. His stand for the tribal community has been Issue-based, He has (aced all these issues and stood with the poor tribal people particularly the youth, particularly for their rights for their language so he has been standing with the tribal community and this is the consequence that has happened.
Father Felix Raj said the case against Father Stan Swamy could continue but there must be a compassionate concerned approach towards a senior citizen 'There are protests, rallies, solidarity marches all over the country and in international forums. This is the first solidarity march and this march is irrespective of religion, irrespective of political affiliation and to show solidarity to Father Stan Swamy who Is 83 years old. Fr Felix Raj said "India is a country where senior citizens are respected and there should be a compassionate concerned approach for them. lf the police think there Is something they should investigate but be more compassionate not only this Jesuit father but all senior citizens should be treated with compassion .I want the government to change the attitude of arresting and keeping in jail any senior citizen, Father Raj said "The arrest is politically motivated". As a true Jesuit who follows Christ Fr Stan Swamy is sharing in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of justice and truth.
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