Following objections from some MPs, the head of the local government has decided to withdraw the controversial bill from the Legislative Assembly’s agenda; like in other Indian states, the bill targeted “unlawful religious conversions”. Catholic leaders and representatives of other minority groups had expressed concern.
Msgr. Linus Neli's Christmas message to the faithful in the Indian state rocked by violence. Let us bring flashes of God's peace to the world around us. Yesterday, meanwhile, interreligious prayers were held in Imphal and many other cities in India for the suffrage of the dead and for reconciliation
The comment was made at an event organised by the ultranationalist Hindu far right. Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav made similar anti-Muslim comments in the past and recently reiterated his support for a uniform civil code. Opposition parties filed a complaint with the Supreme Court.
The National Inclusive Children's Parliament writes to India’s Chief Justice. Interruptions not only lead to learning problems, but deprive many pupils of a regular meal. For NICP president, “Schools are not just classrooms – they are spaces where we grow, thrive, and feel safe”.
The Indian government has adopted infrastructure development policies for the country’s north-eastern state to increase connections with Bangladesh, but political and religious tensions now risk complicating the situation. Despite calls for diplomacy in New Delhi and Dhaka, Tripura hotels and hospitals say they do not want Bangladeshis.
The head of the transitional government met 32 representatives of religious communities, declaring that everyone in Bangladesh is part of the same family and pointing the finger at the ‘disinformation’ of some Indian media. The pastor of the Dhaka cathedral told AsiaNews, ‘We recognised that although some incidents have occurred, exaggerated or false news is also being spread. We want to live in harmony’.
Hundreds of students have taken to the streets in recent hours to demonstrate against the attack on the diplomatic representation, with serious damage to the building. Earlier there had been demonstrations in India against the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring country. The two governments tighten control and security measures.
The Society of Pilar is hosting the world meeting for the first time in the Indian city from 2 to 6 December, concurrently with the exhibition of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier. Card Ferrão hopes the societies can “inspire the Church” to embrace her “synodal journey". PIME superior general was also present.
Recent studies show that the toxic cloud released into the environment in 1984 continues to impact the health of residents. The site of the US-owned plant responsible for the tragedy still holds over 330 tonnes of toxic waste. No one has ever been seriously prosecuted for the disaster and today, only grassroots associations are taking care of the survivors.
In the State of Nagaland, at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians recently recognised by the Indian federal government as a national pilgrimage centre, an initiative to praise God through the beauty of creation. Bishop Thoppil: ‘We no longer use plastic flowers in our churches. Now with the commitment of women in the cultivation of fresh flowers this message is reaching everyone'.
Sree Narayana Guru already a hundred years ago in India brought together representatives of all religions in his ashram to experience fraternal relations. The Pontiff: "Our religious traditions are ways to defeat the culture of individualism, exclusion, indifference and violence".
A native of the same Indian metropolis, 57 year-old Msgr. John Rodrigues has led the diocese of Pune since last year after serving for ten years as auxiliary bishop to Card. Oswald Gracias, who will turn eighty on 20 December next. As of 25 January, he will be at his side with right of succession. He comes from a family in which the widowed mother accompanied all three of her sons to the priesthood.
Local councils forced about a hundred Christians to leave or renounce their faith. The police did not intervene immediately and at least 40 people were forced to take refuge in churches after their property was destroyed. According to some oraganizations, there has been an increase in violence against the Christian community in this Indian State this year.
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