South Asia

The series “Tan Man Neelo Neel”, broadcast by Hum TV, deals with the theme of lynching and accusations of blasphemy used as a tool for revenge. While last year's figures show a dramatic increase in cases related to these laws, activists and intellectuals praise the courage of the production.

The accumulation of waste has reached a height of 15 meters and is located near houses, schools, restaurants and shops. It is the only storage site for non-degradable waste in the capital. Fears of an accident similar to the Meethotamulla landslide in 2017, which caused 32 deaths.

The last time the country hosted such an event was in 1996. It was banished in 2009 after terrorists targeted Sri Lanka’s team, wounding six players. Imposing security measures are in place with the deployment of 20,000 men and snipers on rooftops. Only India refuses to play in the country with matches scheduled in the United Arab Emirates.

The new government's economic plan includes incentives for industry, support for workers and a commitment against corruption. These measures are necessary to obtain loans from the International Monetary Fund and ensure the country's financial stability after a long period of crisis. Northern regions will also receive investments to revive manufacturing.

The initiative by Sister Sheela Savari Muthu was held in a public park in Indore in partnership with St. Francis Catholic Hospital to benefit the children of domestic workers. Police detained participants for a few hours, after moving in following complaints by Hindu extremists. “We do not accuse these brothers,” said Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal. “We respond with prayer."

A woman in Punjab spoke to AsiaNews about her journey and the hardships converts from Islam face. Since she chose to follow Christ, Naseem has endured isolation, death threats, and discrimination. Yet, despite economic obstacles and family objections, her unshakeable faith remains a source of hope. For activist Joseph Janssen, freedom of worship should be exercised without fear of persecution.

The local BJP government wants to implement the contested law that was approved in 1978, but that successive governments had since set aside. On 6 March the discussion in the Legislative Assembly in a state where Christians make up 30% of the population. The Arunachal Christian Forum protests: ‘This law is clearly against us, we demand its withdrawal’.

Signed with then President Wickremesinghe last May, the agreement included the construction of two wind farms on Mannar Island and in the village of Pooneryn. The Dissanayake administration has pulled the plug on the project to cut costs amid the country’s ongoing economic crisis and after fraud accusations were made against the Indian billionaire. Environmentalists are happy since the project threatened fishermen and migratory birds.

Monks and nuns of the Central Monastic Body will have a chatbot designed to answer questions, in English. The technology was created together with Japanese partners. An initial period of six months of experimentation is in the works, with full introduction by 2027.

The 42-year-old nun, of the Associates of Mary Queen of Apostles, has been running the St George dispensary in Sherpur since 2009. She visits 40 patients a day, 90 per cent of whom are Muslim. Infertility and infections are the most common ailments. ‘We don't just offer treatment, but also dignity,’ she told AsiaNews. ‘If we all practised unconditional love, the world would be more beautiful and peaceful’.

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the United States, President’s Rule was imposed on the northeastern state, shaken by almost two years of interethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki. Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, a BJP member, quits, worsening the political crisis. Peace must be restored and the needs of the population must be met, the archbishop of Imphal tells AsiaNews.

After elephants killed two people recently, the Archeparchy of Changanassery issued a circular emphasising how “daily life is becoming difficult”. Minorities are negatively impacted by exclusion from reservation policies as well as environmental and forestry legislation. A rally is scheduled for this Saturday. For Archeparch Thomas Tharayil, governments should promote the public good.