By Faisal Anurag
Despite the efforts of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the voices of criticism of India have intensified around the world regarding human rights, democracy and freedom of the press. The US State Department has also commented raising serious questions regarding the murder of prisoner Stan Swamy. After the institutional assassination of Stan Swamy, the world media and many countries including the European Union have reacted.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India has tried to assure the world that special care is taken of the human rights of everyone in India and the democratic rights of the common people are not interfered with. Meanwhile, Reports Without Borders has identified 37 rulers of the world, including Narendra Modi, as predators of the press. This has hurt the global image of India.
The International Religious Freedom of the US State Department expressed deep concern over Stan’s death on Thursday. It has also linked this context to the level of democracy in India.
The US State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom on Wednesday expressed its concern over the death of Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy in custody and urged the Indian government to respect the important role of human rights activists in a healthy democracy. From the perspective of international diplomacy, many meanings are being taken for this criticism. In London last month, India along with the G7 countries had said that it would be a part of the global struggle for democracy and human rights.
The main criticism of G7 countries regarding China is about democracy and human rights. The response of the US and the European Union is very serious and serious.
The Office of Religious Freedom, which promotes religious freedom as a main objective of US foreign policy. The 84-year-old tribal rights activist is the latest in voices around the world to express concern over the death of Father Stan, who died in judicial custody.
The organization said in a tweet: “We are saddened by the death of Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist, who died in Indian custody under charges of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. We call on all governments to respect the important role of human rights activists in a healthy democracy.
The USCIRF said: The death of Father Stan Swamy is a stark reminder of the serious and ongoing persecution of India’s religious minority communities. The USCIRF spoke incessantly when Father Swami was arrested and denied bail. especially given the rapid deterioration in his health as he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and contracted COVID-19 while in prison And the jail authorities did not take prompt action to them. We urge the United States to hold the Indian government accountable and to understand religious freedom concerns in US-India bilateral relations.
After the death of Stan Swamy, the process of reactions and protests continues in the country. The Bar Association of India has also issued a statement, terming Stan Swamy’s death as a failure of the rule of law.
At the same time, calling it an unusual incident, has described it as a pattern of institutional poor management and behavior. This statement has been issued by the general secretary Anandita Pujari on behalf of the association. The Bar Association of India’s response suggests that the incident has created deep unease even within justice groups. The association has generally remained silent on judicial custody deaths.
The statement describing Narendra Modi as a hunter of press freedom is also being discussed a lot in the world. Modi’s name has been taken along with Imran Khan, Kim Jong Un of South Korea. In the context of freedom of the press, the name of any Indian leader has been taken as a hunter for the first time. Meanwhile, many political parties and social organizations in Jharkhand have intensified their agitation demanding an inquiry into Stan’s institutional death.
