Nirmala Carvalho

Four people, including the Reverend, are hospitalized in serious condition. The extremists also attempted to attack them in the hospital. Desecrated the altar, and a Bible, community’s vehicles destroyed. Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "The violence spreads a culture that holds religious conversions to be illegal ".

On the 50th anniversary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an extremist leader calls for Christians and Muslims to return to Hinduism. For the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), such statements are "absolutely illegal" and "feed suspicion and mistrust" towards minorities. By contrast, the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

In addition, another 25 and more have been hospitalised in serious condition. The incident took place in a state-run family planning facility in the state of Chhattisgarh. Three doctors operated 83 women in a single day. In several parts of the country, tubal ligation is "encouraged" in exchange of a financial reward. At more than 65 per cent, female sterilisation is the most widely used form of contraceptive.

Fr. Lino Fernandes SFX led a pilgrimage to celebrate "Kuntpani Mata". The celebration is in memory of the first six indigenous families who were baptized in 1873. The missionary: "It is Mary who draws all people to her and through her, to her Son Jesus."

Bajrang Dal activists take advantage of the state's anti-conversion law to attack a small Pentecostal community. For the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "it is essential that Hindu and Christian leaders engage in an active dialogue and genuine collaboration."

The new clergymen will be ordained in 2015, the Year of Consecrated Life. Fr Errol Fernandes SJ led the novices in a retreat. The Asian Church also "faces many challenges, but with its selflessness and other-centredness, it has a message to deliver to the world."

Two well-known activists speak to AsiaNews about legislative changes that focus on the economy, not on "real" problems. Prison reform and police abuse are not addressed. India's attempt to globalise leaves little space for human rights.

The Archbishop of Mumbai greets the executive formed by the Hindu ultra-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress lost the election after 15 years in office. Need to "create an atmosphere of harmony and peaceful co-existence in our pluralistic society". The administration should resolve "the tragedy of farmers' suicides."

According to Jesuit priest Santhanam, the judgment issued by the Sri Lankan court is the result of decades of conflict between Delhi and Colombo over trespassing in territorial waters. The verdict "contradicts Pope Francis’ position against the death penalty".

It is the third incident in less than two months in the northern Indian state. Brahmins (priests), and Hindu radicals have "sacrificed" Bibles to their gods and given sacred books to the Christians to validate the ceremony. Christian leader: "alarming trend".

The attack took place in Bastar district, home to an ongoing systematic persecution of the minority. Extremists often invoke the anti-conversion law to attack Christians. President of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "We demand the immediate end of violence."

Arun Ferreira spent four years in prison on false charges: he was tortured and learned about the terrible reality of the judicial system. He tells AsiaNews: "Francis powerfully told the truth, making it clear that life imprisonment is a death sentence in disguise. Hopefully his words will give strength to the Indian Church, which must address the issue of reform of the judicial system."