PANAJI
The incessant drizzle on Monday evening did not deter some 200-plus Goans to converge at the Azad Maidan and stand in solidarity to demand the release of 83-year-old Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy, incarcerated in the infamous Bhima Koregao case.
Armed with placards, the Jesuits from Goa, their collaborators and others chanted verses of 'Hum Honge Kamyaab' as they marched along the peripheral footpath of the historic maidan in the capital city.
Some prominent politicians, including GPCC chief Girish Chodankar, former minister Aleixo Sequeira, AAP's Cecille Rodrigues were among the protesters.
Fr Swamy, who for years has been fighting for adivasi rights in Jharkhand, was arrested from Ranchi on October 8. He has since been taken to Mumbai where more than a dozen intellectuals, lawyers, academicians and others are languishing in jail in the dubious case related to the January 2018 riots in Maharashtra.
The case is being investigated by the NIA and all the activists have been charged and arrested under the draconian UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act).
Fr Swamy, based in Ranchi-Jharkand was arrested earlier last week and joins the dozen other intellectuals, civil and human rights activists who have also been incarcerated in the case.
Well known scholar, academician and Dalit icon B R Ambedkar's grandson-in-law Dr Anand Teltumbe is among them. Teltumbde is faculty at Goa's prestigious B-School -- Goa Institute of Management.
Fr Swamy has been an ardent campaigner for land rights of Adivasis in Jharkand. He has filed a petition before the Jharkand High Court on behalf of some 3,000-odd Adivasis languishing in jails after arrests for protesting against acquisition of their lands.
