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Madhya Pradesh. Illustration photo.

Located in Madhya Pradesh, in central India, the Saint-François Institute, which has worked for more than 150 years to support lonely or disabled children, is currently on the verge of closing. An “attack” occurred in mid-May to search for but also destroy equipment and desecrate an adjacent church.

Another historic Catholic charity was attacked in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, located in the eyes of the authorities. This is the Saint-François orphanage, one of the main institutions in the Sagar district, which has worked for 150 years to support lonely or disabled children. In an organized raid on May 8, documents were destroyed, cell phones and computers were confiscated and the church next door was vandalized. Two priests were beaten and arrested before being released on bail.

The authorities’ attack on the orphanage came a day before a hearing at the Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the application for renewal of the orphanage’s registration. A centuries-old process, which has been going on for three years now with institutions that block recognition of activities and that have never responded despite numerous requests from ecclesiastical officials. The recording had been “delayed” for at least “three years”, Pastor Sabu, who works at the orphanage, told Asianews.

2.3% Christians

Crushed under the influence of Hindu nationalism, religious minorities struggle to find their place. Founded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, it regularly targets the country’s Christian and Muslim minorities. Christians, mostly Protestants, represent 2.3% of India’s total population, or 30 million people out of 1.3 billion people. Although present since the 4th century, they are the object of discriminatory action by government and federal authorities.

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