India

Yesterday, in the final of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, India beat New Zealand. Indian player Sanju Samson attributed his success to God. A key athlete and the player of the match, the Kerala wicket-keeper-batter was seen praying on his knees. Simple gestures can have profound meaning for the country's Christian minority.

In Gujarat, an amendment to the marriage registration law introduces new requirements that risk hindering unions between people of different religions or castes. The High Court of Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh, had to reiterate that interfaith relationships between consenting adults do not constitute a crime. Two parallel cases that reignite the debate on the relationship between state legislation, constitutional rights and political campaigns against so-called “love jihad”.

Built around 1526, the protected structure is at the center of a legal dispute that has caused violence: Hindu petitioners claim it was built on top of a Shiva temple. The Archaeological Survey of India states that it has no documents on the state of the site prior to construction. The Central Information Commission has rejected the appeal.

Asian bishops express concern over the escalation in the Middle East. In communion with Leo XIV, they call for stability, dialogue, and reconciliation that “prioritize human dignity.” They also call for prayers for civilians and migrant workers affected by the conflict; meanwhile, prayer initiatives for peace are growing at the diocesan level.

In Karachi, several people die in an attempted assault on the US consulate. Tensions were high across Pakistan, home to the world’s second-largest Shia community, with the authorities imposing a ban on public demonstrations. Protests also erupted in India, from Lucknow to Kashmir, as well as in the Karnataka city where Iran's late supreme leader opened a hospital in 1986.

The attacks launched by Israel and the United States on the eve of Purim and Iran's retaliation against US bases in the region have already claimed the life of one Asian immigrant, a Pakistani national working in Abu Dhabi. In India, the opposition has criticised Modi, who has just returned from Israel. Indonesia’s Prabowo (who promised soldiers for Gaza) offers to mediate. China ponders the repercussions.

With a reserved order, the court halted for “for 15 days” the film's premiere, today. Questions remain about the certification and classification of a work that presents an "unfiltered" reality. Of greatest concern are the repercussions at the community level, given the sensitive issues such as reconversions.

Two days in Israel to strengthen cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Meetings with migrants and Indian businesses, trade, and strategic agreements consolidate an increasingly close alliance between the two countries, voluntarily keeping the Palestinian question in the background. There are also ideological affinities between the BJP and the Israeli right. According to SIPRI data, India already accounts for 34% of Israeli arms exports.

Originally from Kerala, he had travelled to the district of Ballia for a meeting with several families. Hindu nationalists accuse him of luring people with financial incentives, but the case is part of a wider context in which Bajrang Dal “vigilantes” are breaking into Christians' homes. Activist Dinanath Jaiswar of Alliance Defending Freedom India: “Attacks on the rise, fear in communities”.

In London, the award for Best Children and Family Film went to a Manipuri-language production directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. Filming wrapped up before the outbreak of ethnic violence in 2023. The film touches upon timely topics such as migration and political tensions. In calling for peace, the filmmaker said that “forgiveness” is “humanity’s greatest strength”.

Fr. Arisher Joseph, principal of St. Francis School in Khunta Kheda, was detained and released on bail after being physically assaulted following accusations of “inappropriate behavior” with students. But many parents of the school are defending him, claiming it is an attempt to discredit the Catholic institution. Bishop Jesuraj: “No one can take justice into their own hands; the incident must be properly investigated.”

A ruling has called for a halt to the forced exhumation of the bodies of tribal people who converted to Christianity, which often meets with opposition from villagers. Similar incidents have also occurred in Orissa, where a family was denied burial of their son in the village cemetery.