Nirmala Carvalho

A particularly brutal case of rape ending in the death of the victim raises serious questions about the conditions of disadvantaged groups. Ambedkar's grandson: ‘The big parties say nothing because she did not belong to a higher caste.’ Sr. Dorothy Fernandes to AsiaNews: ‘The increase in gang rape is a sign of a sick society.’

A celebration presided over by the apostolic nuncio in India has confirmed the supernatural nature of the appearance of the face of Christ on a host 12 years ago. A sign for the Syro-Malabar Church, which has long been wounded by the liturgical dispute. Abp. Girelli: ‘May the Eucharist be a sign of communion with God and of unity among the faithful, not of discord.’

The nun was accompanying some girls to Chhatisgarh for study purposes in preparation for religious life. They were attacked by a group of Bajrang Dal militants despite all being Christians since birth. Stopped by the railway police, they were freed thanks to the intervention of three lawyers. Mgr Sual Singh tells AsiaNews: ‘Freedom of movement guaranteed by the constitution has been violated.’

Despite legislation, abortion based on sex determination remains common. Dr Carvalho to AsiaNews: “It transcends caste; prevalent even among the wealthy and educated”. Former nurse arrested in Bavla: carried out illegal abortions in a guesthouse. Authorities report links with hospitals and ultrasound centres.

The prelate personally visited the areas most affected by the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Shelling has "killed many people" and "destroyed hundreds of houses, shops, vehicles and other infrastructure". The situation now seems to be improving but the fear of fresh attacks remains.

A Yanadi tribal family forced into bonded labour at a duck farm. The mother, desperate for news of her nine-year-old son held as "collateral", was fed a string of lies by the employer. Bishop Thakur of the Indian Bishops’ Commission for Migrants: "Slavery, though officially illegal, remains a deep stain on the conscience of a country that presents itself as an economic powerhouse".

The Madras High Court issues a controversial ruling that strips a woman of her rights as a member of a historically marginalised group because she married a Christian man while remaining Hindu. For Fr Santhanam, a Jesuit and a lawyer, this is a serious violation of the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It is paradoxical that a principle recognised in Canon Law for mixed couples is disregarded by a court in the 21st century.

MP John Brittas calls for compensation for relatives of Covid deaths in light of new Civil Registration System (CRS) data. “Thousands of claimants excluded.” There is a “disturbing discrepancy” between the government’s official tally and the actual number of deaths. Gujarat’s death toll is 33 times higher. The government is estimated to have saved around €1 billion.

Son of a prominent activist and politician, he took office after being sworn in before President Droupadi Murmu. He will serve a six-month term, until 23 November. Fr Raj: the appointment is a “sign” of the “hard work and perseverance” through which Dalits today can aspire to the highest positions.

The Indian military claims that Operation Sindoor against Pakistan was “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.” Pakistan’s response killed students at a Catholic school. Sadly, “two students lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured,” lamented Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu (India). For his part, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore (India), called on the faithful to “pray specially for the leaders of our country to pursue attempts for peace”.

In a town of just 8,000 inhabitants in the state of Goa lie the roots of both the Indian Filipe Neri Ferrão and the Pakistani Joseph Coutts, who from this afternoon are participating as electors in the selection of the new pontiff. A sign of the Church of the peripheries, but also of the vitality of a community founded four centuries ago by Portuguese Franciscans. And in these hours, it is also a symbol of the thirst for peace between the two countries now plunged into a new crisis over Kashmir.

Born Isaac Thottunkal, he chose the name of Clement of Alexandria as bishop. Major Archbishop since 2007, created cardinal by Benedict XVI, he is the first cardinal of this Eastern rite Church that has its seat in Trivandrum in Kerala. In his ministry he has closely followed the communities of the diaspora, but has also promoted numerous social works in India. He was president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.