Hindu right-wing groups in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district have escalated their campaign against Christians, with two tribal villages—Kudal and Junwani—banning the entry of pastors and priests. On August 5, the Sanatan Samaj organized a protest in Bhanupratappur, leading to a complete shutdown of local businesses. Demonstrators submitted an 11-point memorandum demanding government action to curb Christian religious activities, effectively challenging constitutional rights to religious freedom and movement.

Village councils in Kudal and Junwani passed resolutions prohibiting Christian from entering. Warning signs posted at village borders cite the Fifth Schedule and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, as justification for the ban. Local leader Rajendra Komra accused Christian pastors of persuading tribal villagers to convert, claiming they exploit the simplicity of rural communities. These restrictions, however, violate constitutional guarantees of religious expression and mobility. Media reports indicate that 18 families in these villages had embraced Christianity in recent years, though five later reverted under community pressure.

Allegations suggest conversions were encouraged through access to education, healthcare, and financial aid—yet no evidence was presented to support these claims.
During the protest, speakers made sweeping accusations against Christian missionaries, alleging foreign funding was being used to promote conversions through social services. Municipal council president Nikhil Singh Rathore called religious conversion a “sensitive issue,” urging Hindu unity. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced plans to strengthen the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, following consultations across 52 meetings. This move signals potential legal tightening amid growing hostility toward Christian communities, who are already facing systemic exclusion and threats to their constitutional rights.

Sister Sujata Jena, a lawyer and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, has denounced recent allegations of religious conversion by nuns in tribal areas as “unfounded and politically motivated.”

In an interview with Matters India, Sr. Jena, who serves in Odisha, issued a pointed challenge to Church authorities: “If you’re going to insist that we wear habits everywhere, then be ready to defend us when we’re attacked on the streets.”

Her remarks follow a disturbing incident in her state Odhisha which occurred at Khordha Road Railway Station on the night of May 31, when Sister Rachana Nayak of the Holy Family Congregation was detained for nearly 18 hours along with four girls and her younger brother. The group was forcibly removed from the Rourkela Rajarani Express by Bajrang Dal activists, who falsely accused them of trafficking and religious conversion. Despite the girls affirming their Catholic faith and voluntary travel, the group was held until human rights lawyers intervened and officials confirmed the allegations were baseless.

Speaking to Matters India, Sr. Jena noted that all three major attacks on nuns in less than three months this year involved Sisters wearing habits. “To those who insist on habits during travel—and to congregations unwilling to reflect or adapt—I say: be prepared to defend these Sisters when they’re attacked,” she asserted.

On August 10, Prison Ministry Day, we honour the remarkable journey of Father Scaria Nedumattathil, a Salesian priest from Kolkata province, who founded the Don Bosco Prison Ministry (DBPM) after a compassionate visit to Berhampore Central Correctional Home in 1995. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a nationwide mission of hope and transformation. For three decades, Father Scaria’s vision has remained steadfast: to restore dignity, freedom, and honour to those behind bars. His guiding principles—Reform, Release, Rehabilitate, and Reintegrate—have shaped DBPM’s outreach, impacting over 25,000 inmates and 45,000 family members. The ministry offers legal aid, counseling, vocational training, and cultural programs, helping prisoners rebuild their lives.

On August 10, Prison Ministry Day, we honour the remarkable journey of Father Scaria Nedumattathil, a Salesian priest from Kolkata province, who founded the Don Bosco Prison Ministry (DBPM) after a compassionate visit to Berhampore Central Correctional Home in 1995. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a nationwide mission of hope and transformation. For three decades, Father Scaria’s vision has remained steadfast: to restore dignity, freedom, and honour to those behind bars. His guiding principles—Reform, Release, Rehabilitate, and Reintegrate—have shaped DBPM’s outreach, impacting over 25,000 inmates and 45,000 family members. The ministry offers legal aid, counseling, vocational training, and cultural programs, helping prisoners rebuild their lives.

Prison officials praise DBPM’s impact. Superintendent S. Chatterjee notes improved inmate behaviour and reduced conflict, while the Inspector General of Correctional Services calls the ministry a model for reform. Father Scaria’s mission was shaped by collaborators like Father T.L. Francis and supported by the Salesian Provincial Team, including late Fathers C.J. Jacob and Thomas Panakezham. Lay leaders like Anupam Choudhury and partners like DB Tech India and Schneider Project have strengthened the ministry’s reach. Honoured with the Rector Major Paschual Chavez Award and recognized during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Father Scaria continues his work at the Human Resource Development Centre in Dhobasole, West Midnapore. His legacy lives on through Prison Ministry India, a national movement dedicated to restoring dignity and hope to society’s forgotten.

Christians of various denominations in Tamil Nadu marked Black Day on 10 August with public demonstrations, gatherings, and awareness campaigns across all 18 dioceses of the state. In addition to parish-level meetings, the programme was conducted in 51 prominent locations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Catholic Bishops, Protestant Bishops, priests, religious congregations, and lay faithful gathered — many in the streets — to hold public meetings and present memoranda to the government. The state-wide network was coordinated by the Chairman, Bishop Jeevanandam, and the Secretary, Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap, of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC) Commission for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, working through all Diocesan SC/ST Commission Secretaries and staff.

Black Day is observed by Christians in India, particularly Dalit Christians, to highlight the injustice stemming from the Presidential Order of 1950. This order decreed that the entitlements granted to Hindus from the Scheduled Caste category would not be extended to Dalits of other religions. Despite facing similar socio-economic challenges, such as discrimination, lack of education, and limited employment opportunities, Dalit Christians and Muslims remain excluded from these benefits. In addition to diocesan headquarters events led by bishops, priests, and religious, several meetings were held at parish level. Leaders from other faiths — including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs — attended, alongside political leaders, laity movements, and social activists. The public meetings were held under police protection.

The day’s observances included hoisting black flags in Christian homes and churches, wearing black badges, conducting public meetings and protest gatherings, delivering speeches on constitutional injustice, holding media briefings, passing resolutions demanding Scheduled Caste status, submitting memoranda to government officials and the SC/ST Commission, organising rallies and peace marches, drum beating, and forming human chains for awareness campaigns.