Nirmala Carvalho

Court accepts to hear a complaint by some Catholic families in Tamil Nadu over caste segregation in burials for Dalits in the village of Kottapalayam. The diocese has until 15 April to respond. Fr Devasagayaraj told AsiaNews that such situations, unfortunately, persist in southern India. For him, “Christ and Caste can’t go together.”

Robert Naorem presented his collection, which uses the local tradition of hand-weaving to promote indigenous embroidery. He also offered a message of peace for the Indian state shaken by violence between Meitei and Kukis in the past two years. He calls for an end to clashes, and for everyone to get involved in development.

In a video that went viral in the state of Chhattisgarh, Aadesh Soni calls on thousands of Hindu nationalists to target Christian women and ‘erase all traces of their faith from the region’. The bishop of Raipur tells AsiaNews: ‘The local government is silent, if anything happens we will hold them responsible’.

While the pontiff remains in serious condition at the Gemelli Hospital, people of other religions are joining Christians to pray for him. “May the divine mercies surround Pope Francis for his speedy recovery,” reads a prayer by the secretary general of the Lotus Bahá'í Temple. Imam Yahya Pallavicini sends his best wishes from Islam’s holiest place.

The initiative by Sister Sheela Savari Muthu was held in a public park in Indore in partnership with St. Francis Catholic Hospital to benefit the children of domestic workers. Police detained participants for a few hours, after moving in following complaints by Hindu extremists. “We do not accuse these brothers,” said Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal. “We respond with prayer."

The local BJP government wants to implement the contested law that was approved in 1978, but that successive governments had since set aside. On 6 March the discussion in the Legislative Assembly in a state where Christians make up 30% of the population. The Arunachal Christian Forum protests: ‘This law is clearly against us, we demand its withdrawal’.

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the United States, President’s Rule was imposed on the northeastern state, shaken by almost two years of interethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki. Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, a BJP member, quits, worsening the political crisis. Peace must be restored and the needs of the population must be met, the archbishop of Imphal tells AsiaNews.

After elephants killed two people recently, the Archeparchy of Changanassery issued a circular emphasising how “daily life is becoming difficult”. Minorities are negatively impacted by exclusion from reservation policies as well as environmental and forestry legislation. A rally is scheduled for this Saturday. For Archeparch Thomas Tharayil, governments should promote the public good.

In the eastern Indian state shaken by violence that has claimed more than 250 lives in less than two years, Biren Singh has resigned to avoid a no-confidence motion. In recent days, the Supreme Court had asked for verification of the authenticity of an audio in which he is heard ‘claiming’ to have instigated the clashes between Meitei and Kuki. The association of tribal groups: ‘Delayed gesture, we will continue to demand a separate administration’.

Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering that violence already out broke for the same reasons in the tribal-majority state in 2008.

Some 18 employees of Andhra Pradesh's main Hindu place of worship have been targeted for transfer to other government offices or voluntary retirement. The new state government is backing identity politics against the previous administration led by a Christian chief minister.

Archbishop Girelli's visit among the communities that were victims in 2008 of the most serious violence against Christians in India's recent history. "Happy and moved to find myself here praying before the memorial of the martyrs. Witnesses of peace, harmony, faith and love'. A letter to Pope Francis to include Fr Bernard Digal among the martyrs of the 21st century.