South Asia

Some 18 employees of Andhra Pradesh's main Hindu place of worship have been targeted for transfer to other government offices or voluntary retirement. The new state government is backing identity politics against the previous administration led by a Christian chief minister.

A small community of 5,000 Catholics in the Indian state will be able to celebrate the Eucharist in their native language. A sign of hope for the Indian State that has been wounded by violence for almost two years. The translation is the work of Fr Mark Aimeng, who more than forty years ago became the first local priest.

The boat that set sail from the Libyan coast for Italy on 25 January carried 56 people. At least 10 of the dead came from Rajoir Upazila where residents recognised the photos of their lifeless bodies. The victims left home because of poverty and unemployment, taking out loans worth thousands of dollars to pay traffickers. The authorities pledge to arrest the intermediaries.

Archbishop Girelli's visit among the communities that were victims in 2008 of the most serious violence against Christians in India's recent history. "Happy and moved to find myself here praying before the memorial of the martyrs. Witnesses of peace, harmony, faith and love'. A letter to Pope Francis to include Fr Bernard Digal among the martyrs of the 21st century.

The two main parties are using the same tactic of handing out subsidies to attract the poorest voters. In recent years, support for Prime Minister Modi's party has grown, but several uncertainties remain. Voting takes place on 5 February with results on 8 February.

A report by the University of Vavuniya in collaboration with The Gate Institute shows “significant gaps”, especially among the elderly, economically disadvantaged groups and women in areas affected by the country’s civil long war (1983-2009). The district of Mannar appears to have the highest connectivity rate. The potential of young people was emphasised.

Farhan Javed, 28, lives in a small village with his widowed mother. Family members: ‘Fair investigation taking into account his mental state’. Ashknaz Khokhar, activist: ‘Authorities must treat the case with attention to human rights’. Joseph Janssen, defender of minorities: ‘Extremist groups act without consequences’.

The Pontiff's message to the Assembly in Orissa that brings together the 204 bishops of the Latin Rite dioceses. Card. Ferrao: ‘Despite adversity and threats to religious freedom, the Church in India remains alive and firm in the faith’.

The legislation, which provides for the registration of marriages, divorces and cohabitation for members of all religions, officially came into effect today and will apply to Uttarakhand residents living in other Indian states. For law supporters, it is an important reform in favour of equality, but it abolishes several Muslim religious customs, and risks creating jurisdictional conflicts between the central and state governments.

AsiaNews in conversation with Patras Paul, a Muslim cleric who suddenly - more than twenty years ago - reading the Gospel found in it the answers he could no longer find in the Koran. He tells of the persecution he suffered for this choice and of his difficult life today. His battle to have his new religious identity recognised on his identity card.

Passing of the baton between the cardinal who had led the archdiocese since 2000 and the prelate designated as coadjutor by Francis last November 30. On 11 February the official installation. In a video message, Gracias' gratitude to the Church he led for almost 25 years. Rodrigues: ‘Coming after him I will have very big shoes to fill...’.

Medical director of the TLMI-Bangladesh Institute, Rozario has dedicated his life to leprosy patients for 12 years, inspired by the example of Jesus. Despite progress, the disease is still surrounded by stigma and superstition. Celebrating World Leprosy Day on 26 January, Bangladesh aims to eliminate leprosy by 2030.