In a corridor of the Bagaicha center in Ranchi, a photo of Jesuit priest Stan Swamy hangs beside portraits of changemakers.
Down the hallway, his small room remains untouched — a quiet reminder of the priest who spent his final years defending India’s Indigenous communities.
A report by AsiaNews quoted Fr. P.M. Tony, the center’s director, who recalled, “I was there when Father Stan was arrested.”
He described Bagaicha as a place built for “all those who are interested in issues that concern marginalized people.”
Fr. Stan died on July 5, 2021, in a Mumbai jail at 84. He had Parkinson’s disease and contracted COVID-19 in custody.
The terrorism charges that led to his detention were later discredited, with investigators confirming digital evidence on his computer had been planted.
Originally from Tamil Nadu, Fr. Stan moved in the 1980s to Jharkhand to live among the Adivasis, Indigenous groups whose lands remain threatened by mining.
In 2000, he founded Bagaicha — meaning “clearing in the forest” — as a hub for grassroots organizing. “He used to close his eyes in prayer in front of this stele every morning for five minutes,” said Fr. Tony, referring to a stone memorial honoring tribal martyrs.
“There is a lot to do, and the issues that Father Stan was dealing with have gotten worse,” said Fr. Tony. “They often accept amounts from mining companies far lower than what is allowed by law.” \
He also criticized education cutbacks. “Until about ten years ago there were many more educated people,” he said. “But then the Bharatiya Janata Party… closed hundreds of schools in Jharkhand… forcing local people to go to private institutions, which their families cannot afford.”
Sister Leena, of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, teaches villagers their rights. “We try to create informal schools… and we support them in their choices against big companies,” she said. “The population lacks everything, for example medicines.”
Among the younger collaborators at Bagaicha is Deepti Mary Minj, a Catholic from the Oraon tribe, who draws strength from her deep sense of justice to continue the work.
“Father Stan used to say, ‘I will not be a silent spectator.’ As long as the fight for justice continues, Father Stan lives,” she said.
