Nirmala Carvalho

In Andhra Pradesh police fire at leftwing groups who want land distribution for the poor; eight people are killed. In West Bengal clashes between supporters of the state’s leftwing administration and local farmers defending their land continue. Appeals are made to the central government to take action against the two states.

In a July 23 resolution the US Congress invites its most important Asian trade partner to recognise the rights of the Dalits and Tribals. The Catholic Church asks for particular attention to be paid to the Christian Dalits, victims of an even more embedded marginalization.

The Catholic Church launches a new campaign against malnutrition in the country. “Freedom from Hunger” is intended to draw people’s attention to the large segment of India’s population that does not have access to enough food.

A new state law bans non-Hindus from propagating their religion in cities with holy Hindu temples. In many areas violence and threats are proffered for the mere physical presence of Christians. The archbishop of Hyderabad warns that there is a real possibility that the faithful may be chased out of these cities.

Chairman of Bishops’ Conference warns those who kill female foetuses or baby girls. Some 30 corpses are found in a well near a clinic in Orissa.

Pratibha Patil is India’s first woman president. Cardinal Toppo, president of the Indian Bishop’s Conference, greets the news reflecting on its importance. As governor of Rajasthan she had rejected the anti-conversion law, demonstrating her secular convictions and respect for Human Rights.

Hindu and Sikh Dalits enjoy benefits based on Scheduled Caste status but Christians are excluded. Advocacy group raises the issue before the Supreme Court which calls on the government to state its position. An expert with a commission of the Bishops’ Conference expresses his views.

Father Michael is assaulted in his own home in Bihar by a gang of about ten people. He received various injuries, including one to a kidney. As a clergyman he is actively involved in his community where he is well-liked. Cardinal Toppo urges the faithful not to fear persecutions, but demands the authorities protect Christians from too many attacks by organised groups.

Marxist youth groups have attacked Catholic schools whilst the state’s left-wing government has discriminated against them. A Council for Minority Rights Protection was recently created to counter these threats. Irinjalakuda bishop calls for the establishment of protection teams to guard against such attacks.

The draft law, which aims to put an end to abortions of female foetuses, is simply another form of birth control. In the last 20 years more than 10 million female foetuses have been aborted.

Yesterday the first anniversary of the attacks which killed 187 people. Citizens of every faith brought flowers to the train stations where the explosions took place. Bishop of Vasai: religious leaders have a duty to “condemn every form of terrorism” and promote the “true face” of the religions.

The father, a vegetable vendor, did not have the 300,000 rupees necessary to treat his daughter’s renal failure. The girl was saved by a fisherman, but her father has disappeared and the police are searching for him. Now a hospital has offered to treat the girl free-of-charge.