Nirmala Carvalho

India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party calls for nationwide demonstrations and strikes. Government beefs up security around religious sites. "It is a cycle of vengeance among fanatics but India has a tradition of inter-faith respect and harmony," says Indian bishop.

The first bishop of the new diocese of Gulbarga is committed to development and coexistence. Muslims and Hindus appreciate the work of Christian missionaries but rightwing groups feed a wave of violence.

India: Hindu extremists attack a Christian gathering

The religious sister presented a petition to the State High Court. For the Catholic Church, the decision of the Chamber of Advocates is a "discrimination against religion and the law itself."

The charge is made by Mgr Mariadoss, bishop of Thanjavur diocese, one of the areas hardest-hit by the fury of the waves. The prelate accuses the "apathetic" administration and describes survivors as "victims for a second time".

Convent attacked, nuns held overnight

Maharashtra state authorities expell eight missionaries guilty of praying. "If they wanted to pray, they should have applied for a missionary visa, not a tourist visa," a police officer said.

The Indian Christian who was freed last after a media campaign on his behalf calls on the press and on international human rights organisations to save the eight Christians arrested in Riyadh.

Hindus want to stop Tribals from getting a Catholic education so as to better control them, says the Bishop of Amravati. Government and press are abetting the whole thing. "The authorities should wake up; such episodes are the seed of a great tragedy", says human rights activist.

Over 70 per cent of projects underway are the work of the Church and NGOs, says rector of the Vailankanni shrine. Clinton's visit in India was quick and brought nothing to the population.

Records and classrooms burned. The local priest: an act by "thugs" against the defenceless, the government must not stand by and watch.

Hindu fundamentalists come under suspicion for the incident. The Archbishop of Hyderabad calls for state intervention. He says that extremists are working underground and fundamentalist spies and informers are penetrating Christian communities to collect information and plan attacks.