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.
In India's most populous state, which is ruled by Hindu nationalists, the stricter law now includes life in prison. Minorities are often targeted by such legislation. The law “violates the provisions of the Indian Constitution,” warns the National Council of Churches of India. “Presently 28 Christians, mostly pastors are languishing in UP jails because of their faith,” Fr Mathew told AsiaNews.
The drowning of three students earlier this week has reignited the debate over such facilities. Young people from all over India are crammed into overcrowded classrooms and student residences and find themselves studying up to 18 hours a day to pass a government or college entrance exam. The costs fall on families while students feel all the pressure. The government has been forced to intervene because of a high number of suicides in recent years.
China condemns the raid that led to the death in Tehran of the Hamas leader. Only a few days ago, Beijing brokered a deal among Palestinian factions. Caught between Israel and Iran, India has remained silent. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was harsh, saying that such a crime was only possible “in an environment of utter impunity.”
Two landslides caused by heavy rains have swept through districts in the hilly region of Meppadi. Among the people missing are many tea growers. Field hospitals have been set up in a church and the local university. The Catholic Bishops' Conference is working with government agencies to speed up relief operations.
India has a very good bid after the Games in Los Angeles and Brisbane, but things could change when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elects a new president in 2025. Meanwhile, cricket is back as an Olympic sports in 2028. Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto travels to Paris to push his country's bid.
A village panchayat in Uttar Pradesh is said to have ordered the inhumane treatment over an extramarital affair. Police arrested 15 people in connection with the incident.
The BJP-led state government wants hoteliers and restaurateurs to display their names, so that Hindu pilgrims visiting Shiva temples at this time of the year can avoid Muslim-run establishments. The Supreme Court stayed the state order and will re-examine the matter later. The district where the order was supposed to apply saw serious violence in 2013.
In Madhya Pradesh a misunderstanding during a school lesson is exploited by Hindutva group to attack school run by the Sisters of Sain t Elizabeth. Bishop Athikalam slams the shameful violence against women who have been serving the community for 50 years, “working towards nation-building.”
The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revoked a rule in place since 1966 that prevented civil servants from being members of the RSS, a paramilitary group that promotes the Hindutva ideology. Originally, the ban also prevented membership in the Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist organisation, but the latter is not mentioned in the ban revocation. INC members speak out against the government’s decision.
The vice president, who is now running for the White House after Joe Biden bowed out, has never shied away from her roots in Tamil Nadu. Meeting Modi last year, she said that she got her passion for democracy from her grandfather in Chennai. The very story of her mother Shyamala Gopalan epitomises the rise of the Indian-American community in the country. And Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of the Republican vice-presidential candidate, is also of Indian origin, from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
For almost two months a priest, a Protestant bishop, and some principals have been in prison on charges of collecting exorbitant school fees. The increase was calculated on the first COVID-19 year, when prices had been reduced by order of local authorities. “We've done nothing in mala fide,” said Bishop Arasu speaking to AsiaNews. “We're willing even to approach the Supreme Court.”
The decision was taken to support Pakistan and is linked to geopolitical and trade factors. The sensitive news is found in minutes of a recent meeting at the Foreign Affairs Committee. The number two of the defence industry agency told the committee that no sales are allowed if the buyer is based in or is linked to India.
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