South Asia

On Tuesday the company informed its employees via WhatsApp, shocking workers and unions. A worker told AsiaNews that, “compensation will help us for a few days, but what about after that?” The Ministry of Labour was not informed until the last moment. The “Company has threatened workers against requesting an inquiry,” reports the Dabindu Collective.

Even during military operations against Pakistan-administered Kashmir, false reports had already begun to circulate in India. But the repressive measures have continued even after the violence subsided. The government has shut down thousands of accounts and banned Pakistani media. A university professor has been jailed over a critical post, and at least 11 citizens have been arrested on charges of espionage.

The exiled National Unity Government slammed the summary killing of members of a local defence force by the Assam Rifles in Manipur, a state in north-eastern India affected by ethnic violence for the past two years. Indian authorities claim the dead were “armed extremists" and that they seized a trove of weapons. Myanmar’s resistance movement calls for an investigation into the incident and the suspension of fence construction along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The outcome of the recent round of elections for the renewal of several municipal councils remains uncertain in many cases. In over 150 municipalities, no party or alliance holds an outright majority. The first meeting is scheduled for 2nd June. The opposition parties are attempting a difficult path towards unity in an effort to wrest control of the administrations from the ruling majority.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister travelled to Beijing to boost the CPEC project, which will also include Afghanistan. While tensions with India have subsided, violence continues in Balochistan where a bomb attack against a school bus kills several children. The missile exchange between India and Pakistan is redefining the geopolitical alliances across Eurasia.

For the first time, Sri Lankans were able to pay homage to the memory of the fallen and the missing in an atmosphere of relative peace and security. Rallies were held in the north and in the capital to remember the end of the war in May 2009 between the Tamil Tigers and the military. Tens of thousands of civilians paid the ultimate price. “Reconciliation without justice,” said Sister Deepa Fernando, “is an empty gesture.”

A day after Buddhists marked Vesak Poya, a fundraiser was held in Colombo, attended by 80 Myanmar monks . Muslims, Hindus, and Christians also joined the show of solidarity. After the earthquake in Myanmar, many Sri Lankans raised funds and collected aid for the more than 400 monks studying in the country after their families and donors could no longer support them. For Fr Rohan Silva, the student monks need a helping hand, like Sri Lankans did after the 2004 tsunami.

Nusrat Faria was detained at the airport as she prepared to board a flight to Thailand. She is accused of financing the crackdown on last summer’s student protests. Seventeen other well-known figures from the film industry are also implicated. According to director Farooki, an advisor in the current interim government, the arrest follows public outrage after other Awami League leaders fled the country.

The Archbishop of Goa and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences reflects with AsiaNews on Pope Prevost’s inaugural homily: “Love for all, unity in diversity, closeness to the poor and to cultures – this must be our way of being Church. We await him in our beloved India. And we will invite him to the FABC Assembly scheduled for 2026 in Malaysia.”

On 12 May, Kashif Masih was brutally tortured and killed over a false accusation of theft. A former police officer is under investigation in connection with the case. The incident has reignited outrage over the persecution of Christians in Pakistan and the impunity often granted to those in positions of power. Human rights activists: "No uniform should place anyone above the law."

MP John Brittas calls for compensation for relatives of Covid deaths in light of new Civil Registration System (CRS) data. “Thousands of claimants excluded.” There is a “disturbing discrepancy” between the government’s official tally and the actual number of deaths. Gujarat’s death toll is 33 times higher. The government is estimated to have saved around €1 billion.

After years of disregarding opposition demands, the Indian government has changed course and decided to include caste classification in the next national census. Behind the political move lie electoral pressures and the growing influence of disadvantaged castes. No official date has been set, but according to local media, the census is expected to take place in 2026.