India’s Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a Christian army officer who was dismissed for refusing to take part in a regimental religious ceremony at a Sikh temple. The court called his behaviour “gross indiscipline.” On Nov. 25, the top court upheld a Delhi High Court ruling that confirmed the dismissal of Samuel Kamalesan, a Protestant officer who declined to enter the inner prayer area of a gurdwara during a weekly parade. The High Court had said he placed his religious beliefs above a lawful military order. Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned the officer’s conduct, saying such behaviour was unacceptable in the armed forces. The bench, also including Justice Joymalya Bagchi, refused to overturn the earlier judgment.

Kamalesan had joined the army as a lieutenant and served as a troop leader in a Sikh-majority squadron. In March 2021, four years after joining, he was dismissed without pension or service benefits. As a troop leader, he was expected to lead his unit into the gurdwara’s sanctum sanctorum during weekly prayers. He refused, saying his Christian faith did not permit him to take part in rituals of another religion. His lawyer argued that it was only a single incident and requested his reinstatement. He also said the officer regularly attended multi-faith prayer spaces common in army stations. However, this regiment had only a gurdwara and a Hindu temple. A Catholic lawyer commented that faith and military discipline are separate issues, and no one should be forced to take part in a religious ritual they do not believe in. He also questioned why a secular army requires participation in religious ceremonies. Regimental religious parades have been part of army tradition for many years.

Extending its greetings to all citizens on the occasion of Constitution Day, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) encouraged every section of the population to uphold the foundational principles of Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. These values are essential for the well-being of the democratic Republic and call for renewed commitment and careful preservation, the statement said. The CBCI stated that the Indian Constitution, as envisioned by its framers, stands as a beacon of justice, equality, and fraternity. It noted that the Constitution reflects the shared aspirations of a diverse and pluralistic society, ensuring that every citizen enjoys dignity, rights, and opportunities irrespective of religion, caste, or creed.

Constitutional guarantees provided to all sections of society, including religious minorities and other socially vulnerable groups, should be valued and effectively implemented, the CBCI emphasized. The CBCI affirmed that a credible electoral process is at the heart of any democracy. It noted that concerns raised by different sections of the population regarding electoral processes should be addressed. The CBCI called upon the government to take necessary steps to ensure the independence, functional neutrality, and efficacy of democratic institutions. Reaffirming its commitment to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, the CBCI stated that it would continue working for the upliftment of the marginalized, fostering interfaith dialogue, and contributing to the nation’s progress. The CBCI encouraged all citizens to rededicate themselves to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It called for collective efforts to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and progressive India under the guidance of the Constitution.

The Commission for Laity organised a two-day Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) for lay leaders of the Northern Region at Maithri Bhavan, the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jammu, under the Diocese of Jammu–Srinagar. The training, held from 7 to 8 November, revolved around the theme “Leadership in a Synodal Church.”

A total of 40 lay leaders from four dioceses—Archdiocese of Delhi, Jammu–Srinagar, Shimla–Chandigarh, and Jalandhar—participated in the programme. The event was graced by Dr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, Chairman of the Laity Commission, Northern Region, and Dr. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of Jammu–Srinagar. Both prelates, along with other regional leaders, lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the training.

In their addresses, both bishops underscored the vital role of lay leaders in fostering a truly Synodal Church. The sessions were led by Fr. Anthony Fernandes, National Executive Secretary for Laity, and Ms. Seanna Rodrigues, a professional trainer. Their inputs centred on pastoral and people-oriented leadership, exploring topics such as Mindfulness and Self-Values for Synodal Leadership, Servant Leadership, Creative Collaboration in Ministry, and Jesus’ Model of Leadership. The training encouraged active participation through group discussions and diocesan-level planning.

Adding a touch of camaraderie, cultural activities and team-building games enlivened the two-day programme, fostering fellowship and collaboration among the participants. The training concluded with diocesan teams presenting concrete action plans aligned with the National Pastoral Plan 2033, focusing on strengthening pastoral leadership at parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. The Regional ToT proved to be an enriching and empowering experience, equipping lay leaders to serve more effectively in the spirit of synodality.

Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur in Odisha has urged his faithful to join in prayer for a diocesan priest arrested following a motorcycle accident. The Bishop’s November 11 circular asked Catholics and people of goodwill “to keep Father Paul Adapoor in their prayers, that he may be strengthened by faith and delivered from his present trials.”

Expressing deep concern, the Bishop wrote, “It is with great sadness that I inform you about an unfortunate incident involving Fr. Paul Adapoor, the Parish Priest of Meghpal Parish.” On November 9 at around 2:00 p.m., Fr. Paul was returning from Sambalpur to Meghpal when his vehicle was involved in an accident near Hiro village, under the jurisdiction of Jujumura Police Station. A motorcyclist, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, collided with Fr. Paul’s vehicle and died at the scene.

Following the accident, a crowd gathered at the scene. In the ensuing tension, Fr. Paul was physically assaulted by some members of the mob. The police intervened promptly, rescued him, and took him to Jujumura Police Station for his safety and to complete the necessary legal formalities. A case has been registered under Sections BNS 281 and 106/1, but regrettably, Section 105 has also been falsely added. Due to this additional charge, Fr. Paul was denied bail and was sent to Sambalpur Jail on November 10.

“We are in close contact with the concerned authorities and are taking all necessary legal steps, including applying for bail at the District Court. We remain confident that truth and justice will prevail and that Fr. Paul will be released soon,” the Bishop assured.

Pope Leo XIV spoke of the beatification this week of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, a 19th-century Indian religious and founder of the Third Order of the Teresian Discalced Carmelites, highlighting her “courageous commitment to the emancipation of the poorest girls.” “The witness of Mother Eliswa Vakayil,” the pope affirmed during his greetings in Italian at the end of his general audience on Nov. 12, “is a source of inspiration for all who work in the Church and in society for the dignity of women.”

The beatification ceremony on Nov. 8 was held in the square in front of the Basilica-Shrine of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala, and was presided over by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Archbishop of Penang, Malaysia.

Before thousands of faithful and men and women religious from across the country, the cardinal emphasized that the new blessed represents “a beacon of hope” for all “consecrated women, for all mothers, and for all those who suffer in silence and yet choose to love,” according to Vatican News.

During the homily at the beatification, the cardinal emphasized the “inclusive vision” of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, with which she “was ahead of her time and is a true expression of synodality in action: walking together in communion.” The new blessed, he added, “shows the way” to the Church on its synodal journey “listening, discerning, and walking together.” 

The foundation of her “unwavering faith,” he affirmed, “lies in her spirituality, vision, and mission, all rooted in her identity as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ through baptism, the very heart of synodality.” With the official recognition of her holiness, the Church proposes Mother Eliswa Vakayil  as a model of evangelical life embodied in service to the poor, in the promotion of women, and in the building of fraternal communities.

Church leaders in India have expressed deep sorrow over the reported loss of 13 lives in a powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on the evening of Nov. 10. The explosion took place around 6:52 p.m. inside a car near a traffic signal in a crowded area, injuring around 24 people and damaging other vehicles, said Federal Home Minister Amit Shah

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, which is suspected to have been triggered either by a CNG (compressed natural gas) cylinder or a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED). Officials have yet to formally confirm the cause of the blast or name suspects, but they appear to be treating the explosion as a potential act of terrorism, not just a criminal or accidental blast, according to media reports.

The entire area around the 17th-century Mughal fortress, visited by thousands of tourists every day, and where Indian prime ministers give their Independence Day speeches each year, has been sealed off. India’s national capital and other major cities have been placed on high security alert.

“The Catholic Church in New Delhi joins others to condole the lives lost in the blast and pray for the speedy recovery of the people who are injured,” said Father Savarimuthu Sankar, spokesperson of Delhi archdiocese. He hoped that the federal government would take all the necessary steps to uncover the truth behind the blast and maintain peace. “The Church has always stood for peace and promotes brotherhood among all faiths, and hopes innocent lives are not lost in mindless violence,” Sankar said.

A C Michael, the convenor of the ecumenical United Christian Forum, said civil society needs to work closely with the government of the day to ensure social harmony in the country in difficult times. “It is the responsibility of the incumbent government to maintain harmony in the country,” said the Catholic lay leader, who is a former member of the Delhi Minorities Commission. Michael said that politicians should avoid making statements that “create unnecessary divisive feelings among the citizenry.”

Three Christian tribal women, who were intimidated and assaulted by Hindu activists at a railway station in central India’s Chhattisgarh state four months ago — an incident that also led to the arrest of two Catholic nuns — have begun a relay hunger strike demanding justice.

The women, joined by their families and supporters, launched an “indefinite relay fast” on Nov. 10 outside the Narayanpur district headquarters. “The women were forced to take this extreme step as police failed to register a case against their attackers–Hindu activists,” said Phulsingh Kachlam, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), which is backing their protest.

The Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission, a statutory body, had on Oct. 8 directed the state’s Director General of Police to file a case based on the women’s complaints. The official was given two weeks to comply and report back. But the order remains unimplemented. “Nothing has been done,” one of the women said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We will continue our fast until we get justice.” Their demand is straightforward, she said — to register a police case documenting the incident.

The July 25 assault took place at Durg railway station, where the women and two nuns from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate — Sisters Vandana Francis and Preeti Mary — were stopped by Hindu activists, including some women.

Christian leaders say Hindu groups target Christians in their attempt to turn India into a Hindu-only nation. Last year, the United Christian Forum, a New Delhi-based ecumenical rights group, documented 165 anti-Christian incidents in the state — the second-highest number in India. Christians make up less than 2 percent of Chhattisgarh’s roughly 30 million people.

In a bold move to safeguard the rights of children, Don Bosco Gujarat, in collaboration with Just Rights for Children, launched a 100-day campaign to eradicate child marriage across Anand, Vadodara, and Chhotaudepur districts. The campaign was inaugurated on 13 October 2025 by Don Bosco Kawant and Don Bosco Kapadvanj, both of which have long championed the dignity and future of children. This regional initiative aligns with the national movement Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage-Free India), launched by Union Minister Smt. Annapurna Devi in November 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Under the national umbrella, DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, and DRISTI Don Bosco, Kapadvanj — partners of the Just Rights for Children Alliance — have played a pivotal role in grassroots awareness and prevention. Nationwide, the campaign has prevented over 1.9 lakh child marriages, offering thousands of children the chance to pursue education and personal growth.

The 100-day intensive awareness drive, running from 1 November 2025 to 26 January 2026, aims to mobilize communities, strengthen local participation, and foster collaboration among stakeholders. Religious leaders — pujaris, maulanas, granthis — along with marriage enablers such as caterers, printers, musicians, and halwais, will be engaged to ensure vigilance and accountability. Village panchayats will play a key role in declaring child marriage-free zones. Between June and September 2025, Don Bosco teams profiled 150 villages, conducted community meetings, painted awareness messages on walls in 25 villages, and collected pledge letters from 150 families. A national workshop titled Voices of Survivors brought together 53 participants who shared stories of resilience and transformation. Don Bosco Gujarat continues its mission to educate, empower, and protect young lives. The campaign stands as a clarion call: every child deserves the right to grow, learn, and dream — free from the burden of early marriage.

After decades of marginalisation, the Adivasi and tea tribes of Assam have demonstrated renewed collective strength through massive rallies in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia in October 2025. These mobilisations, which evoked memories of the tragic Beltola mayhem in 2007, signal the community’s resolve to press for long-standing constitutional and welfare demands ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly Elections. With an estimate of around 20% of the state’s population—the Adivasi community is poised to play a decisive role in the electoral outcome, making their demands a crucial political issue.

Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: This is the community’s most significant and long-standing demand. Despite migrating to Assam over a century and a half ago to work as indentured labourers in tea gardens, they have been denied constitutional recognition as an ST, unlike in their states of origin. The All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) argues that the government has demonstrated a lack of political will to grant this status, a demand promised by the BJP in its 2014 campaign. Granting ST status would provide safeguards and benefits essential for their socio-economic upliftment. Impact on electoral dynamics: With millions of votes at stake, the Adivasi community’s united front can determine electoral outcomes in numerous constituencies. By focusing on shared concerns and exercising their voting power strategically, they can hold parties accountable and make their demands a central issue in the election discourse.
The rallies also bring to the fore a crucial need for the community to maintain vigilance over their leadership. History shows instances where internal and external political forces have exploited the community’s aspirations for personal gain. By actively rejecting and boycotting leaders with questionable integrity, the Adivasis aim to protect their collective voice and rights.

The Delhi High Court, the top court for the national capital region, issued a directive to the federal government to respond to the petition seeking explanations for prolonged vacancies in the federal National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed on Oct. 15 that vacant posts of the commission chairperson, vice-chairperson and five members have rendered it ineffective and inoperative.

The court responded to a public interest litigation filed by Mujahid Nafees, convenor of the Minority Coordination Committee, an organisation focused on the welfare of minorities. In the petition, Nafees alleged that the government’s negligence in filling the top posts was a violation of constitutional safeguards for the minorities in the country. The National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 mandates the federal government to constitute the commission as a quasi-judicial body to safeguard the rights of minority communities. The commission remained largely defunct after several of its members moved out since November 2024, following completion of their five-year term.

Religious minorities form around 18 percent of India’s 1.4 billion people, more than 80 percent of whom are Hindus. Muslims are the largest minority community, forming 14.2 percent of the population, followed by Christians at 2.3 percent and Sikhs at 1.7 percent. The other religious minorities are Buddhists and Zoroastrians, the latter also known as Parsis. The Commission is mandated to have one member each from the six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.