Nirmala Carvalho

The spokesman of the Indian bishops' conference described the attacks as a "heinous" crime against humanity; the government is determined to track down the perpetrators and to restore law and order.

State government is led by nationalist BJP. Catholics oppose the bill but local authorities turn a deaf ear to their appeals. With this law, the government is giving its tacit approval to anti-Christian violence, says bishop of Jaipur.

The RSS is calling on the government to be "stricter with minorities". A Catholic activist retorts: "These are proclamations by powerful caste leaders. They are the terrorists."

The provision is part of the government's new economic plan, which seeks to combat money laundering in the country. The 2006 budget confirms the authorities' commitment to rural development. The Finance Minister has pledged to increase the growth rate to 10%.

Christian human rights activists react favourably to the verdict of the court that retried cases from the 2002 sectarian clashes between Hindus and Muslims. In the Best Bakery case, 9 of the 21 suspects, who had been acquitted in 2004, were sentenced to life in prison.

Nationalist Hindu movements are clamouring for new, more severe legislation to "stop conversions to Christianity". A Verbite theologian says: "It's just a political move. They enjoy medical services and missionary schools but feel practically obliged to attack them".

A district judge in Uttar Pradesh is behind the decision. Bishops' Conference secretary tells AsiaNews that this decision "is contrary to God's laws and morality, it must be stopped without delay for the good of the nation".

The infection has been there for two weeks but was confirmed just two days ago. This is the first time the infection has been reported in India. A state of quarantine has been imposed together with widespread culling of poultry; the central government is calling for calm.

Organised by the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the convention is open to Christians of all denominations. The first gathering of its kind took place in 1896; now it is celebrating its 111th edition.

Marriage registration should become compulsory within a few months in India. Under existing rules, proof of marriage ceremony was enough. The Indian Church backs the new rule, but demands it applies to all religions. Human rights activists hail the law: it will help eliminate practices such as polygamy, forced marriages and trafficking in women.

Girija Devi, a dalit committed to fighting alcoholism in her village in India, will address the UN at the end of the month. The woman can barely write and speaks only in a local dialect. Her organization against alcoholism has changed the life of her local community.

A new ceremony was held which "allowed 25 tribal Christians to re-embrace the true faith". John Dayal: "The law should be the same for all, but when it is Hindus who convert, no one utters a word."