In a landmark event, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant handed over the first Indian citizenship certificate under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to Joseph Francis Pereira, a 78-year-old Pakistani Christian. The ceremony, which took place on 28 August 2024, marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the controversial legislation.
India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Modi government's first budget since its narrow election victory earlier this year. The budget, unveiled on 23 July, focuses heavily on job creation, rural development and appeasing key coalition partners in an effort to regain political support, but cuts schemes meant for minority welfare.
Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party has been appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament. What makes this significant is the fact that this marks the first time in a decade that the post has been filled, signalling a shift in the country's political landscape.
The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a slender majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, yet a striking trend has emerged – the ruling coalition failed to win a single parliamentary seat from India's three largest religious minorities: Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. However, compared to the 2019 polls, voting preferences among these groups have undergone notable shifts.
Police in Jharkhand arrested the seven men suspected in the gang rape of a foreign tourist and the assault of her husband last week. The incident highlights India's ongoing struggle to combat sexual violence against women, a challenge that has persisted for decades.
A Christian woman was brutally attacked and murdered at the St. Mary's Cathedral Church compound situated in the Cantonment area in Varanasi on January 1. This, according to local media, marks the second murder of the year already, causing heightened concerns within the locals.
Two Christians were arrested and booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act for praying on New Year’s Eve in Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. Pastor Arun Kumar and Pastor Ram Tahal gathered to pray on New Year’s Eve along with about 100 believers on December 31 in Ram Charan Ka Purwa in Ajrauli, Khandasa.
In a joint press statement released on December 28, prominent figures and political commentators, including Apoorvanand, John Dayal, ASR Mary Scaria SCJM, AC Michael, Minakshi Singh and Shabnam Hashmi, addressed the paradoxical journey of the Christian community in India through 2023.
Police in Uttar Pradesh detained a Christian, along with a guest, for praying in his own house on New Year’s Eve in Maharajganj district yesterday. Pastor Raj Kishore along with some of his friends had gathered in his own house for New Years’ Eve in Sonbarasa village on December 31, when the Kothibari police reached his house around 11 pm and detained him and a friend at the complaint of a neighbour.
In a divisive and polarising turn of events, the Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM), closely aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launched a targeted campaign against Christian tribal communities, strategically timed during the Christmas season.
In a warm and festive gathering at his residence in the national capital on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the Christian community on Christmas. The event, attended by around 80 eminent Christian leaders, saw the Prime Minister lauding the continuous contributions of the Christian community in the health and education sectors, emphasising the significant impact of institutions run by the community nationwide.
Last week, the Nautanwa police released a pastor in Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, on bail after arresting him last month. While speaking to Christian Today, his wife and son alleged, "He is falsely framed."
