House Resolution Honors Father Stan, Urges India to Investigate Death Linked to Fabricated Evidence

This Congressional Resolution is a formal statement honoring the life and work of Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy, a Jesuit priest and human rights activist who died in Indian custody in 2021. The resolution lays out a detailed history of his activism, particularly his defense of the indigenous Adivasi community against land grabs, and highlights the highly problematic circumstances surrounding his arrest and death.

The Activist Who Knew the Law

Father Stan spent decades working with the Adivasi people in Jharkhand, focusing on land and constitutional rights. He wasn’t just protesting; he was training leaders and pushing for the proper implementation of existing Indian laws, like the PESA Act and the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which are supposed to protect tribal self-governance and land ownership. When the State began arresting thousands of Adivasi youths for protesting land acquisition, Father Stan formed a committee to fight those detentions, essentially becoming a major thorn in the side of authorities by using the law against them. This is the background that led to his legal troubles.

The Digital Evidence That Wasn't

The resolution focuses heavily on the evidence used to arrest Father Stan in 2020 under anti-terror laws related to the Bhima Koregaon case. The key detail here—and the reason this resolution matters—is the forensic report from Arsenal Consulting (dated December 11, 2022). This report suggests that over 50 files containing incriminating evidence were planted on Father Stan’s computer between 2017 and 2019 by hackers. Think of it like this: someone broke into his digital workspace and left a bunch of illegal documents before calling the police. The resolution notes that the attackers even tried to erase their tracks the night before the police seized the computer, suggesting they knew the raid was coming. This points to a massive issue of digital security and due process, where evidence can be manufactured to silence critics.

Encouraging Accountability, Sending a Message

Because Father Stan, an 84-year-old with Parkinson’s, died in custody after his health severely declined, the resolution strongly encourages the Government of India to conduct an independent investigation into his arrest, incarceration, and death. While a resolution is non-binding—it doesn't impose sanctions or force action—it serves as a strong diplomatic signal. It also sends a clear message to governments worldwide: the U.S. House of Representatives will monitor and support human rights defenders, specifically naming vulnerable groups like the Adivasi and Dalit communities in India.

Crucially, the resolution applauds India's Supreme Court for temporarily halting an old, colonial-era sedition law and urges India’s Parliament to make that suspension permanent. This is the political science equivalent of giving a high-five to a positive step while still demanding more accountability. For anyone concerned about international human rights, this resolution is a formal recognition of the dangers activists face when governments use anti-terror laws or fabricated evidence to suppress dissent.