Nirmala Carvalho

The agreement aimed at resolving the serious dispute over the liturgy within the Syro-Malabar Church was implemented for the first time yesterday at the Cathedral Basilica of St Mary in Kochi, which had become the epicentre of the tensions.

Drawing on the suffering of refugees, “Batwara 1947” seeks to foster unity rather than division in the memory of a deep historical wound. Fr Norbert Herman: “It highlights the values of unity, justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence amongst people of different faiths.”

Mohan Bhagwat – the head of the RSS, which has been accused of violence against Christians in India – is due to appear at Madison Square Garden on 29 August for an event on ‘universal unity’. The Congressional Commission on Religious Freedom is calling for his visa to be refused. Indo-American NGOs denounce the infiltration of radicalism even within the diaspora.

The tragedy has directly affected the local Catholic community: the official version speaks of “self-defence” against a “group of poachers”, but the families deny this. Bishop Serrao: “The Church respects the law, but life must be protected. An independent inquiry and compensation”.

A Joint Parliamentary Committee is set to review a bill amending the rules affecting many NGOs. The All India Christian Council is urging lawmakers to heed schools, hospitals, and charities. Cardinal Gracias speaks out against the risks the bill poses for many NGOs.

Arun Pannalal, 75, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, is accused of offending Hindu religious sentiments. Human rights groups slam the political use of laws against religious incitement. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the Christian minority in the state.

The Archbishop of Nagpur highlighted this point to AsiaNews after Indian President Murmu signed the bill. The state government is now awaiting notification of the date when it will enter into force. Under the new legislation, offences are cognisable and non-bailable. Thus, the very essence of freedom and independence envisioned by India’s founding fathers is at risk.

The church in Nazat is targeted. The radical group's leader issued a seven-day ultimatum to the parish priest to leave. Christian groups reported the incident to the police, to no avail. The bishop of Baruipur, who praises the missionaries' work, expressed his firm condemnation to AsiaNews.  

Heavy monsoon rains have submerged hundreds of villages in the worst natural disaster in recent years. The local diocese is mobilising to help everyone, without distinction, in the emergency and reconstruction efforts. For Bishop Hemron, “let us be instruments of God’s compassion”.

He tendered his resignation to Modi following demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party over irregularities in public examinations. The news comes the day after talks between the CJP and the government. Party leader Abhijeet Dipke said: “This is just the beginning”. Bishop Savio Fernandes tells AsiaNews: “A victory for the people of India”.

The movement born on social media after the public exam scandal continues to bring thousands of young people to the streets despite clashes with the police. Calls for reform of a system perceived as increasingly less meritocratic and the support of various figures now mark a new phase of protest.

The national football team’s victory in the final against Argentina in New York provided an opportunity for many parishes to rediscover the Iberian missionary tradition, which has given rise to numerous educational institutions in India and still maintains a significant presence there. It is no coincidence that Kerala is the football capital of India.