Anto Akkara

Anto Akkara

Anto Akkara is a journalist writing from Bangalore, India. He is a regular correspondent with the National Catholic Register. Besides international reporting, Akkara has written books and produced documentaries telling the stories of the martyrs of Kandhamal. He has recieved the St. Titus Brandsma Award for journalism.

Articles by Anto Akkara

Father Caleb Laldawngsanga leads refugees from violence-torn Manipur in the praying of a rosary. Credit: Anto Akkara

Refugees of ethnic clash in India find open arms in majority-Christian state

Dec 6, 2023 / 17:05 pm

“We are grateful to God [that] we are safe here,” said Mercy Tungdian, who now lives with her three small children in a government apartment.

Photos of martyred Christians at a public event in Bhubaneswar in 2010. Credit: Anto Akkara

Vatican puts 35 Catholic ‘martyrs of Kandhamal’ in India on road to sainthood

Oct 26, 2023 / 13:05 pm

The Christians were killed in the 2008 Christian persecution that took place in the remote jungle district of the eastern Odisha state.

Journalists gather at the courtyard of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi on Oct. 17, 2023, ahead of India’s top court ruling on same-sex marriages and abortion rights. Credit: Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images

Church in India celebrates two recent Supreme Court verdicts 

Oct 19, 2023 / 11:00 am

The cases, involving abortion rights and gay marriage, came down within the same 24-hour period.

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo blesses refugee Christians at Barakhama in Kandhamal in January 2008. Credit: Anto Akkara

Thousands mourn Indian Cardinal Telesphore Toppo at funeral Mass

Oct 11, 2023 / 15:00 pm

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, Asia’s first tribal cardinal who died on Oct. 4, was remembered for his humility, simplicity, and care for the poor.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the his supporters during a political event organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the GMIT College Grounds on March 25, 2023, in Davangere, India. Credit: Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images

Indian priest who joined Hindu nationalist party relieved of duties by bishop  

Oct 4, 2023 / 13:45 pm

The priest’s action took place at a time of rising persecution of Christians in India.

John Dayal (middle) and activists in July 2022 in New Delhi to mark the anniversary of Jesuit Father Stansamy, who died in police custody on trumped up terrorism charges. Credit: Anto Akkara

India’s Christian rights network not hopeful after meeting with minorities commission

Sep 26, 2023 / 17:30 pm

“While the positive is that there is some conversation, I do not set hopes very high,” said John Dayal, an outspoken Catholic activist.

U.S. President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 10, 2023. Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

India’s Modi government invites Christian rights watchdog to discuss concerns 

Sep 15, 2023 / 15:40 pm

The head of the Christian human rights group had written to the prime minister’s office about three major grievances.

Kolkata Archbishop Thomas D’Souza gives a message at the tomb of St. Teresa of Kolkata in the Missionaries of Charity motherhouse in Kolkata, India, after a Mass on her feast day, Sept. 5, 2023. Credit: Anto Akkara

Mother Teresa is ‘teacher of love’ says Kolkata archbishop on anniversary of saint’s death

Sep 6, 2023 / 09:57 am

The feast of St. Teresa of Kolkata was celebrated by Catholics and non-Catholics alike with Mass, prayers, tributes, and visits to her tomb throughout the day.

Father Isaac Honsan, pastor of St. Paul's Church, in Imphal, capital of Manipur state, stands in the rubble after the church was set on fire in a recent attack, Photo credit: Anto Akkara

On Indian Independence Day, bishops reiterate Christians’ patriotism

Aug 16, 2023 / 13:30 pm

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India also called for “resolving internal challenges with empathy, understanding, and unity.”

Goa, the former Portuguese colony on the west coast of India, was evangelized by St. Francis Xavier whose mortal remains are preserved in the Bom Jesus Cathedral (pictured). Anto Akkara

Hindu nationalists demand arrest of Catholic priest in India for saying king was not a god

Aug 9, 2023 / 12:35 pm

Hindu groups had staged demonstrations in front of the police station calling for criminal charges to be brought against Father Bolmax Pereira.