South Asia

The nun was accompanying teenagers to a training seminar organised by the Social Services Centre of the Diocese of Jamshedpur. Accused of ‘trafficking and conversions’, she was detained for hours at a station until late at night. Once the accusation was proven unfounded, the activity went ahead as planned. But the episode confirms a worrying trend that sees fundamentalists targeting educational activities promoted by Christians in the service of all.

The High Court of Anuradhapura has upheld an appeal by an association of disabled women, ordering the Ministry of Transport and the railway company to take measures to ensure accessibility on the high-speed line in the Southern Province. An important precedent for the whole country.

Following the approval of the anti-conversion bill in Rajasthan and the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, protests have broken out in India. In Rajasthan, the law even affects voluntary conversions and interfaith marriages, while in Maharashtra, the executive will be able to declare entire organisations ‘illegal’ without concrete evidence. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the states for clarification on the constitutionality of these laws.

Sri Lanka's prison population exceeds 35,000 in facilities designed for 12,000. Drug-related offences account for more than half of all inmates. Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe calls for urgent reforms. Some lawyers told AsiaNews that pre-trial detention is used far too often and a legal system is slow in adopting non-custodial sentences.

Behind the controversy is a demand from Muslim leaders and movements to revoke the government circular regarding the hiring of music teachers in public primary schools. They call it an "Islamophobic" decision. Civil society groups are up in arms, defending the secular nature of the schools. The clash reflects the deep tensions between those who support Sharia (Islamic law) and those who defend the constitution.

The form for the census, which will begin on 22 September, includes a list of caste names associated with the adjective “Christian”. The BJP opposes the local Congress-led government: ‘This opens the door to the admission of Christians among disadvantaged groups.’ Archbishop Machado: ‘We have told the faithful to choose freely whether to identify with one of these groups or to declare themselves simply as Christians. But it is essential to cooperate with the census.’

The incident took place in the Churachandpur district. The attack occurred just over 24 hours after the Prime Minister's visit to the area, which has been the scene of sectarian violence. The target was the home of Khenthang Calvin, a member of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), which signed a ceasefire agreement with Delhi. A second attack (unsuccessful) targeted the residence of Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC).

To reduce dependence on China, India has initiated direct contacts with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The Indian Ministry of Mines has engaged state-owned IREL and Midwest Advanced Materials, a private firm, to explore potential large-scale exports from Myanmar. Meanwhile, India’s government has decided to exempt mining projects from mandatory public consultations, effectively excluding local communities from vetting mining projects.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa identified four challenges: aging population, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and nutrition. He stressed the need for better diagnoses and treatment. One of the objectives is to improve the country's ranking on the Universal Health Index.

New guidelines from the state education department are designed to curb marginalisation and discrimination based on ethnicity and caste. Strict confidentiality regarding caste affiliation is required, especially for scholarship recipients. For Fr Devasagaya Raj, Catholic schools should do more to promote the Gospel values of equality.

Emerging out of the rubble of the 2015 earthquake, the group has worked across the country for the past ten years to help people in need, earning trust for its transparent management of funds. In its anti-corruption campaigns, it has become a point of reference for young Nepalis disillusioned with the country’s political elite. It also organised the online poll that led to the appointment of Sushila Karki as caretaker prime minister, who will now lead the country through the 2026 elections.

During the ecumenical celebration at St Paul's Outside the Walls in honour of the 1,624 Christians of all denominations who gave their lives for the Gospel in the first 25 years of this century, Pope Leo XIV quoted the words of a child who died at the age of 10 among the victims of the Youhanabad massacre on 15 March 2025. ‘Although they were killed in body, no one can silence their voices or erase the love they gave.’