Fr Stan Swamy Selected for Mukundan C Menon Award 2020
This is in recognition of people’s struggle for democratic and human rights of adivasis led by Fr. Stans Swamy, said NCHRO…
New Delhi 14 Dec 2020: Fr. Stan Lourdu swamy S.J, a member of the Jesuit congregation and a tribals rights activist for several decades in Jarkhand has been selected for the Mukundan C Menon Award 2020 instituted by NCHRO in memory of Late Mukundan C Menon, the noted journalist and human rights activist. He was the first general secretary of the confederation.
The jury made up of Dr. J Devika (Thiruvnanthapuram), IbnuSoud (Chennai) Prof. AmithBhatacharya (Kolkota), N P Chekutty (Kozhikode) and Adv.JayaVindhyala Hyderabad) selected Fr. Stans Swamy among many nominations received from different parts of the country. The award includes a cash prize of 25,000 and a citation.
This is in recognition of people’s struggle for democratic and human rights of adivasis led by Fr. Stans Swamy, said NCHRO. He has questioned the non-implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which stipulates setting up of a Tribes Advisory Council with members solely of the Adivasi community for their protection, well-being and development.
One of the major campaigns he is associated with was the Jharkhand Organisation Against Uranium Radiation (JOAR). The campaign successfully stopped the construction of a tailing dam in Chaibasa which, if constructed, would lead to the displacement of adivasis in Jadugoda’sChatikocha area.
He has also continued to work with the displaced people of Bokharo, Santhal Parganas and Koderma.In 2014 when a report was published discussing the plight of the arrested youths, Father Stan Swamy came into the state machinery’s radar. According to the report 98% of the 3000 arrested were falsely implicated and had no links to the Naxal movement. Some served years in jail without trial.
_ Prof A Marx, Chairperson
Prof P Koya, General Secretary
