Mosques, churches in Kerala unfurl national flag to protest CAA
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26: Latin churches and mosques under Wakf board in Kerala hoisted the national flag and read out the preamble to the Constitution on Sunday on the occasion of Republic day, in protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Priests of all Latin churches read out a pastoral letter against the law, saying it was "unconstitutional" and affects not just the Muslim community but the whole of the country.
Observing January 26 as the day to protect the Constitution, the letter said the biggest crime was to divide the people.
"Dividing the people is the biggest crime. It's happening here. The CAA is unconstitutional. It's also against the secular democratic values of the country... This is not just against the Muslims. But against the whole population of the country," the pastoral letter said.
It also said the interpretation of the Act and the explanation given by the authorities imply that one religion is going to get prominence in the country.
"As per the Constitution, India is a sovereign,socialist, secular, democratic republic. Everyone has a right to believe and practice in any religion as they like...
But in today's scenario, it seems like we are heading towards a one-religion based community," it said.
The believers were asked to take a pledge to protect the Constitution.
The letter was read out after the Sunday mass in the churches all over the state.
The National flag was also hoisted in the premises of the churches.
All mosques registered under the Wakf Board also unfurled the tricolour as part of the Republic Day celebrations and read out the preamble to the Constitution in protest against the CAA.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
