Muslims in Mysuru gather outside church to stand in solidarity with Christians post Sri Lanka attack
Mysuru: Muslims from across the city on Sunday morning gathered outside St Philomena church in the city to express solidarity with the Christian community following the Sri Lanka terror attacks that killed over 250 people.
The idea was first pitched by Munawwar Pasha, President of Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Mysuru who sent his message across through a voice clip on social media platforms. Taking inspiration from Christians who had expressed solidarity in similar fashion after the terror attack on New Zealand Mosques last month, he had urged people to gather outside St Philomena Church of the city.
“The whole Muslim community in India including Jamat-e-Islami Hind strongly condemns such an terrible attack on Churches last week during the Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. We have come here to send the message loud and clear that we are united against the terrorism and stands firmly against it. No religion asks its believers to carry out such acts not any religion teaches it” WPI Mysuru President Sheikh Zabiullah said while speaking to media outside St. Philomena Church on Sunday.
The Christians also lauded the efforts of Muslims for turning out in solidarity. Fr. Williams thanked the Muslim community for showing solidarity and sending out message to the terrorism that the people from all sect are standing united against it.
Mysuru JIH President Munawwar Pasha, T. S Ansar Udupi, Prof. Noor Ahmed Khan, Khaleelur Rahman, Muhammad Aslam, Fazlu Rehman and others were present during the occasion.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
