In India, prejudices about skin color, closely linked to the caste system, are still widespread. But a couple from Madhya Pradesh who ended up in the crosshairs of haters after posting pictures of their wedding is offering an original response, starting with their own story. It is a countercultural message in a society where everything from Ayurveda to Bollywood films still suggests that skin must be light.
The Supreme Court has asked states and the central government to urgently identify and repeal all obsolete provisions that continue to contain discriminatory references to people with leprosy. According to the National Human Rights Commission, there are nearly 100 laws that limit the rights and access to services of even those who have been cured.
India is preparing its first entirely digital census after 15 years of delays. Caste will once again be included, as well as details on internal migration. However, in the poorest and most remote regions, millions of people are at risk of not being counted, with repercussions on federal funds and welfare programmes
The CBCI has filed an appeal pointing out that the legislation grants arbitrary powers to the authorities, vaguely defines the modalities of unlawful conversion and obliges citizens to reveal their personal faith choices to the state. The Supreme Court has asked the Rajasthan government to submit its response. The case could also have national implications.
SRM University in Chennai fired Lora Santhakumar for posting comments on her WhatsApp status critical of Operation Sindoor. First suspended on 8 May, she was fired a few days ago. Over this period, she was the target of online attacks and death threats from far-right groups.
In his first visit to New Delhi since 2021, Vladimir Putin announced an economic cooperation plan with India between now and 2030. India has been trying to balance relations between the United States, which has imposed heavy tariffs, and Russia, which remains the country's leading arms supplier. No new defence contracts were signed, but the two sides inked energy, nuclear power, shipbuilding, and labour deals, to reach US$ 100 billion in bilateral trade a year.
