India

A group of Hindu fundamentalists carried out an unprovoked attack on the Christians as they waited to carry out medical tests. Following the beating they were dragged to the police who wanted to arrest them. Currently they have been hospitalized under shock.

Public officials and human rights groups want the 1958 law repealed. It gives India’s armed forces unrestrained special powers. Adopted to fight rebels, the law has often led to unaccounted actions. Human rights activists denounce the resulting violence and killing.

Yesterday in Berhampore the local bishop and civil authorities unveiled a statue dedicated to the Blessed who had visited the city in 1988. The honour was the idea of a former district magistrate. The Mother Teresa International Film Festival will also open on this occasion featuring a movie by Dominique Lapierre on the life of the missionary.

The president of India’s Bishops’ Conference comments on Pratibha Patil candidacy for president with AsiaNews. She has been in politics for years and has long opposed Hindu extremism. She would be the first women President.

In answer to violence against Christians which in recent months has hit an increasing number of Indian states, Bangalore’s Global Council of Indian Christians has organised a demonstration in support of human rights for June 22.

The prelate has convoked a meeting with representatives of the Neocathecuminal Way this week in Ranchi. He speaks to AsiaNews about his desire to succeed in spreading a new evangelization in Jharkhand and all India, restoring hope, love and unity to the Church, and overcoming ritualism.

More than a thousand Muslims, including women and children, were killed by Hindu extremists in 1989 in Bhagalpur. Almost 20 years later many trials of those involved are still underway. Sentencing for the latest trial is expected in late June.

In an interview with AsiaNews the executive secretary of the National Commission for Justice, Peace and Development explains how India’s economic boom is often taking place on the backs of the poor, who often lose the little they have to the benefit of big corporations. The Church fights for their rights. Gandhi’s example is remembered.

In the past few days in India schools have been at the centre of discussion. Bvs students have protested against Mumbai’s Catholic schools. In appearance their motivations are economic; the Bvs have in fact requested a lowering in fees. But Mumbai’s Archbishop maintains that the real reasons are religious, while the president of the Bcs says it may be political. The decision by St Stephen's College to admit Dalhit Christian’s has met with public outrage.

Before he converted, Laxmi Narayan Gowda, an independent pastor and representative of the Global Council of Indian Christians was a member of a Hindu nationalist group. Aggressors beat him up and attempted to set him on fire. Now he is in hospital.

Legal actions are expected against the state ban on non-Hindu religions in a Tirumala and other areas in Andhra Pradesh. The measure violates constitutionally-guaranteed rights and will affect Christians’ freedom of movement and livelihoods. Father Thumma laments that since a Christian has become chief minister, Christians face more problems.

Clashes between the two ethnic tribes Meitei and Kuki result in deaths, widespread unrest and burnt homes. A curfew is imposed with the order to shoot on sight. Today a general strike blocks the state. Experts say that is a battle between armed groups for control of the drug and arms trade with nearby Myanmar.