Anand Teltumbde reflects on Stan Swamy’s health struggles and their friendship during incarceration.
In his prison memoir, ‘The Cell and the Soul: A Prison Memoir’, Anand Teltumbde recounts the poignant moments he shared with Stan Swamy, particularly during the latter’s final days. On May 28, 2021, Teltumbde, along with Arun Ferreira, took Stan in a wheelchair to the gate of the jail hospital, feeling a sense of optimism due to the Bombay High Court’s decision to allow Stan a temporary transfer to Holy Family Hospital for treatment. The hope was that his bail petition might also be resolved favorably during this time, leading to his release. Stan had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after his transfer, and despite also suffering from heart-related issues, reports indicated he was responding well to treatment. The court extended his hospital stay until July 18, and for a time, it appeared that his health was improving.
However, the situation took a serious turn on July 3, when Stan’s health began to decline. He was moved to the intensive care unit, and the following day, he was placed on ventilator support. Tragically, on July 5, 2021, during a hearing for his bail application, his lawyer, Mihir Desai, informed the Bombay High Court that Stan had passed away earlier that morning. Teltumbde reflects on his first encounter with Stan, noting that he had not known of him prior to their connection through the Bhima Koregaon case. Both men found themselves in similar circumstances, and when Teltumbde filed a petition to quash the FIR against him, Stan’s petition was also submitted, leading to their shared experiences in the judicial system.
During their time in prison, Teltumbde found solace in the company of fellow inmates like Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, and others. While direct meetings were prohibited, they managed to communicate through letters and informal channels. Teltumbde recalls the day Stan was brought to Taloja Hospital. Stan was found lying on the floor of the common barrack, struggling due to his health conditions. Upon waking, he was delighted to hear Teltumbde’s name, displaying affection through his handshake, despite the challenges posed by his Parkinson’s disease. Following their meeting, Teltumbde advocated for Stan’s needs, leading to his relocation to a separate cell with caretakers, including Arun Ferreira.
Stan’s health issues were exacerbated by the prison environment, which limited his access to basic necessities. He struggled with simple tasks such as drinking water, relying on a sipper and straw outside prison, which were not allowed by the prison staff. Teltumbde highlights the bureaucratic challenges they faced in seeking basic accommodations for Stan, such as winter clothing and drinking aids. The process to secure these items was fraught with delays, and the court often required the prison authorities to respond formally to requests. Despite the hurdles, Stan’s defense team worked diligently to advocate for his needs, ultimately leading to his receipt of a straw, sipper, and winter wear on December 4, 2020. This struggle for basic rights within the prison system serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding incarceration and health care access.
