India
The problem with India’s ‘love jihad’ laws
By Sumit Ganguly — January 27, 2021
(The Conversation) — The Hindu nationalist-led government is reviving opposition to religious conversion that goes back to British India.
What Christians can learn from Indian Sikh farmers’ desperate protests
By Joseph D'Souza — January 13, 2021
(RNS) — The protesters’ cause and community have shown a way for people of all faiths to go forward in a post-pandemic world.
Open Doors’ 2021 watch list highlights impact of COVID-19 on religious persecution worldwide
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 13, 2021
(RNS) — North Korea leads the organization’s annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution for their faith for the 20th straight year.
Outcry over Jesuit priest Stan Swamy’s arrest tests Indian authorities’ anti-terror sweep
By Priyadarshini Sen — December 8, 2020
(RNS) — Swamy is among 16 writers and activists who have been arrested by the ruling BJP government for allegedly inciting caste-based violence.
California Sikhs to hold caravan and rally in support of farmer protests in India
By Alejandra Molina — December 4, 2020
(RNS) — Protesters are expected to stay in their cars during the caravan and rally to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Faith leaders pair with health officials to save India’s largest slum from COVID-19
By Priyadarshini Sen — December 1, 2020
(RNS) — The densely populated shantytown was the most vulnerable spot for the virus to spread, but Dharavi’s rate of infection is down to 11 cases a day.
Farmers’ protests against India’s new agriculture laws follow long Sikh tradition
By Simran Jeet Singh — November 30, 2020
(RNS) — Protest is not new to Sikhs; rather, it permeates Sikh history, past and present.
Hindu nationalists see Muslim jihad everywhere in India
By Bhavya Dore — October 5, 2020
(RNS) — The Quran's concept of the term 'jihad' is being framed as a conspiracy against India's Hindu majority.
A Catholic priest takes on interfaith fight against COVID-19 in a sacred Hindu city
By Priyadarshini Sen — September 21, 2020
(RNS) — Though anchored in Christianity, Mathew draws from a broad swath of spiritual traditions to reach his fellow citizens, including Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of cosmic consciousness.
Kashmir’s lockdown at one year: A region’s alienation turns to betrayal
By Riyaz Wani — August 7, 2020
(RNS) — Kashmir's loss of autonomy has now taken on a larger figurative dimension: It is also about betrayal of trust, political disempowerment and a deep sense of humiliation.
American Christians need to reinvent their theology and practice of missions
By Joseph D'Souza — July 14, 2020
(RNS) — American Christians shy away from social issues — racial reconciliation, immigration reform and economic inequalities — that they associate with progressive politics.
India’s pioneering transgender activist defends gains in pandemic
By Priyadarshini Sen — July 7, 2020
(RNS) — After helping win a landmark court case for India’s transgender people, Ranjita Sinha has mobilized to counter the community’s drastic loss of jobs and health care during the coronavirus pandemic.
India can take lessons from US in our struggle to end casteism
By Joseph D'Souza — June 11, 2020
(RNS) — While America's response must feel tortuous to those marching, it gives me hope that India, where I sit, can confront its past and present history of casteism.
Making his kitchen his pulpit, Indian priest highlights the pandemic’s hungry
By Priyadarshini Sen — May 21, 2020
(RNS) — D’Souza’s ‘Food for the Soul’ show has gained over 6,000 subscribers across India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a nationwide lockdown.
In India, pandemic turns political opposition group into COVID-19 help line
By Adam Willems — April 17, 2020
(RNS) — By providing basic information and monitoring the government’s performance in fighting the pandemic, the Lockdown Helpline is holding the authorities accountable.