Kerala High Court has ruled that parents cannot challenge an adult woman’s decision to join a religious congregation simply because they disagree with it.

The judgment was delivered on April 27 by a Division Bench of Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian in Ernakulam. The court dismissed a petition filed by three parents who claimed their daughters were being illegally detained at the Monastery of Holy Ruah.

The court made it clear that decisions about faith and religious life belong to an individual’s private choice. It said that interfering in such matters could weaken important constitutional freedoms like personal liberty and freedom of belief.

The parents had argued that their daughters were under pressure and not staying in the convent by their own will. However, the court found no evidence of force or illegal detention. Police reports and statements from the women confirmed that they had chosen to remain in the religious order voluntarily.

The judges also explained that a writ of habeas corpus is a serious legal remedy and should only be used when there is clear proof of unlawful detention. In this case, such proof was not found.

The court added that parental concern or disagreement cannot override the rights of adults to make their own life decisions, including choosing a religious vocation and a life of celibacy.

With this ruling, the court reaffirmed that personal freedom and individual choice must be respected, especially in matters of faith and belief.

The Kerala Fish Workers Forum has urged the govern-ment to take immediate action to protect the livelihoods of fish workers across the state.

The demand was raised during the forum’s State Annual Conference held in Kollam on April 25, 2026. Leaders expressed serious concern over growing econo-mic problems affecting both coastal and inland fishing communities.

One of the main issues discussed was the recent increase in kerosene prices. The forum said this has badly affected traditional fishers who depend on kerosene for their daily work. It called for an immediate rollback of the price hike, stating that many families are struggling to meet basic expenses.

The forum also highlighted that inland fishers are facing similar difficulties. Rising costs, low income, and lack of proper support have made the situation worse. Leaders said the crisis needs urgent and strong government inter-vention.

During the meeting, Baiju Julian encouraged fish workers to stay united and work together to protect their rights. He stressed the importance of collective action for a better future.

The conference also elected a new leadership team. Henry George from Kollam was chosen as State President, and Basil Mookkath from Ernakulam became General Secretary.

The forum ended the meeting by renewing its call for fair policies and long-term support to ensure the survival and dignity of Kerala’s fishing communities.

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III has called on people in Kerala to avoid costly and extravagant Church feasts and instead use that money to support the poor.

The head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church made this appeal after a tragic firecracker factory blast in Thrissur on April 21, which killed 14 people and injured around 25 others.

In his message, he urged people to think carefully about safety and the true meaning of celebrations. He said that God is not pleased by fireworks but by a pure and sincere heart. He also asked people of all religions to take a responsible stand against dangerous and wasteful practices during festivals.

Kerala is known for its grand temple and Church feasts, where fireworks are widely used. The Church leader pointed out that large amounts of money are spent on such celebrations, while many people still struggle with poverty.

He encouraged believers to use festival funds to help those in need, such as building homes for the poor or supporting struggling families. He also offered to personally support parishes that choose to celebrate their feasts in a simple way.

Many people have welcomed his message. Some said helping the poor is more meaningful than spending large amounts on fireworks. Others added that this message should guide not only Church feasts but also personal celebrations like weddings and birthdays.

The call highlights the importance of simple, safe, and spiritually meaningful celebrations.

A Christian cou-ple in Uttar Pradesh has faced public humiliation after villagers allegedly targeted them for refusing to take part in Hindu rituals following their conversion to Christianity.

Balram Singh and his wife, Rani Devi, were reportedly garlanded with slippers and paraded through their village, Garaw Garhi, in Hathras district on April 20. The villagers also warned them of social boycott unless they abandoned their Christian faith and returned to Hinduism.

Singh later filed a complaint with the local police, naming several individuals, including members of his own family, as being involved in the incident. He also sought protection for himself and his wife. However, police reportedly refused to register a First Information Report (FIR), stating that the issue was a family matter.

The couple is said to be deeply distressed following the incident. Legal and community representatives have expressed concern over the police response, stating that such cases require immediate action regardless of whether the accused are family members.

Church and social leaders have strongly condemned the incident, calling it a violation of human dignity and religious freedom. They stressed that no one has the right to humiliate or force individuals to change their faith.

Activists have also demanded justice for the couple and urged authorities to ensure their safety. They continue to press for the registration of a criminal case against those responsible.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about religious freedom and the protection of minority communities in the region.

Churches in Meghalaya have joined hands with the state government to address the growing drug crisis affecting many families, especially young people.

Representatives from different Chri-stian denominations met with officials from the government’s Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission, known as DREAM, on April 23. During the meeting, the premises of the Baptist Church in Tura were identified as a suitable location for a rehabilitation centre.

Officials said the partnership between churches and the government is an important step in building a more caring and community-based response to addiction. The goal is not only to treat substance abuse but also to restore dignity, rebuild lives, and protect future generations.

Church leaders welcomed the initiative and noted that Christian institutions in the state have long served people through education, healthcare, and social service.

Bishop Andrew R. Marak said drug abuse has become a major concern in the state, especially among youth. He expressed hope that the joint effort would bring real support to communities struggling with addiction.

Church representatives also stressed that solving the crisis will require cooperation from families, civil society, and the wider public, not only the Church and government.

According to official estimates, nearly 10 percent of Meghalaya’s 3.2 million people are affected by substance abuse. Authorities said the state’s location near the Golden Triangle region has worsened the drug problem.

The crisis has also led to rising cases of HIV and Hepatitis B and C due to unsafe practices such as needle sharing, making it a serious public health concern.

The Catholic community in Manipur is celebrating the success of several young Catholics who performed well in Union and state civil services examinations, inspiring many young people in the region.

The Manipur Catholic Youth Organization congratulated four of its members for their achievements in highly competitive exams. Dr. Vapani John Tao secured Rank 800 in the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination 2025. Lawrence Masouhrii cleared the UPSC Assistant Commandant (CAPF) examination.

In the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination, Laijing Leikhulshim Maring secured Rank 24, while Katalanpou Rongmei achieved Rank 40.

MCYO also honoured its former president, Napoleon Rongmei, on joining the Indian Forest Service through UPSC. He had earlier served in the Manipur Forest Service and led the youth organisation for nearly eight years.

Laijing Maring said his success came from resilience, discipline, and learning through repeated failures. He said true success is not only about passing exams but also about personal growth and helping others.
Katalanpou Rongmei thanked God, family members, and well-wishers for supporting him.

Goan Christians and diverse religious communities have welcomed the arrest of YouTuber Gautam Khattar following his offensive remarks against St. Francis Xavier, the state’s patron saint. During an April 18 event, Khattar allegedly labeled the saint a “terrorist” and insulted his preserved remains, sparking widespread protests and multiple police complaints.

Khattar was apprehended in Himachal Pradesh on April 24 after attempting to hide and was subsequently remanded to six days of police custody in Vasco. His brother, Madhav, was also arrested for assisting with the speech’s online distribution. Church leaders, while advocating for calm, have emphasized the necessity of strong legal action against hate speech to protect communal harmony. This incident highlights a collective stand against religious intolerance in a region long celebrated for its peaceful interfaith relations.