As activist Stan Swamy’s heath worsens, civil society members call for bail, specialised treatment

Members of the civil society on Sunday demanded an intervention from the authorities for the release of tribal rights activist Stan Swamy because of his deteriorating health condition. He had been in jail for nine months in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case.

The 84-year-old activist, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was put on ventilator support on Sunday morning at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai. In May, Swamy had tested positive for Covid-19 after being shifted to the hospital on the Bombay High Court’s orders. The court had later extended his hospital stay till July 5 as he needed extensive care.

“On 4th July early morning, his [Swamy’s] heart rate started falling and he was put on the ventilator,” a statement from Father Joseph Xavier said. “Twice in the morning the hospital has administered CPR [Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation] and revived the heartbeat. Father Stan revived to some extent. He was conscious, with eyes open. Currently he is sedated, and doctors are attending to his needs.”

Swamy’s lawyer Mihir Desai on Monday morning said that as the activist was on ventilator support, the current priority was his treatment. “His health condition is such that he will continue being in the hospital,” he told PTI.

Father #StanSwamy stands as a symbol of struggle and resistance against the repression of tribals.
Falsely implicated and…

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