Nirmala Carvalho

The parents' complaint has led to an investigation: "It is a double discrimination," said Fr Devasagayaraj Zackarias. Tamil Nadu's Minister of Education stands with the student. But in India, the social stigma associated with the menstrual period and the weight of the caste system are still strong.

In an open letter, numerous religious and lay people committed to the defence of the underprivileged criticise the Bishops' Conference for having invited Christian parliamentarians to vote in favour of the measure that came into force yesterday and limits the autonomy of Muslims in the management of their properties. ’This is not the way to solve the problem of the evicted families in Munambam. It sets a precedent that Hindu nationalists will also use against Christians."

In the village of Kondavat, in the district of Khandwa, eight workers had gone down to clean it in preparation for the diving ceremony during the Gangour Mata festival. The victims were trapped and died of suffocation. Compensation of 400,000 rupees (4,200 euros) has been announced for the families. Activist Fr Prakash Louis: ‘It could have been avoided. Do workers come from disadvantaged castes? Is their life worth so little?’

At the end of a twelve-hour marathon the lower house of the Indian parliament passed the law that introduces controls on the management of properties donated to the Muslim organisation. The bishops of Kerala also expressed their support in the wake of the Munambam land affair. The warning of the Jesuit from Gujarat, Fr Cedric Prakash: ‘This is not the way, this law must be opposed’.

The great pontiff who visited India twice is remembered with a Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus. “Pope John Paul II was a prophet, he showed a far-sighted vision,” Card Gracias told AsiaNews. He was “a popular figure for the Hindu community” as well since “his message recalled the urgency to protect personal integrity, and the commitment to charity and love towards all.” He gave “new impetus to evangelise.”

Bishop Valan Arasu reports the incident to AsiaNews. The faithful, a group of 50 tribal people, a priest and two nuns were visiting some parishes in the diocese. The extremists attacked them twice and tried to denounce the priest for ‘forced conversion’. The intervention of the agents to protect the pilgrims.

In Varanasi, the celebrations for the end of Ramadan are blocked due to closures related to a Hindu holiday. Meat, fish and poultry shops have had to close; only a few vegetarian markets are available. Protests also break out in Meerut over the ban on street praying.

A crowd stormed a Sufi shrine, replacing the green flag with a saffron flag, a symbol of Hindu nationalism. In Nagpur, clashes broke out on 17 March after extremist groups called for the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. In this tense climate, Prime Minister Modi is expected in the city. Once a symbol of harmony, it has become a stronghold of the RSS paramilitary organisation and the centre of religious and political tensions.

In a sacrilegious act, thieves desecrated the Eucharist in the Holy Family parish in Titilagarh. The Bishop of Sambalpur, Mons. Sualsingh: ‘Let us remain united and trust in the Lord even in this moment of trial’.

In a letter circulated in the churches, the complaint about the continuous opening of bars and pubs to make money from the proceeds guaranteed to the State with the licences. The Catholicos of the Orthodox Church also speaks of an ‘explosive situation’. About 10% of the population claims to be a consumer of alcohol.

With a Mass presided over by Card. Poola, the Holy Year and the long history of the complex, whose first church dates back to 1820, were celebrated. The commitment of the PIME missionaries was remembered. New areas were inaugurated, including a parish centre and the Adoration Chapel.

More than 50 people have been arrested in the wake of communal violence that included several vehicles and houses vandalised. The authorities imposed a curfew imposed in some areas of the city in Maharashtra. Hindu nationalists want to remove the tomb of a Mughal ruler. Rumours that a copy of the Qur'an was burnt sparked a violent a reaction by Muslims. Archbishop Gonsalves urges respect for everyone, and warns against spreading “rumours and false news.”