Don’t Miss These Most Memorable Moments of Indian Politics in 2019

Don’t Miss These Most Memorable Moments of Indian Politics in 2019
Year 2019 in review
Don’t Miss These Most Memorable Moments of Indian Politics in 2019
Year 2019 in review

The year 2019 started with a political stir as over 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a ruthless bomb attack on 14 February by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber in the Pulwama district which stunned the entire nation. The ruling and opposition parties made their election agenda. PM Modi succeeded in capitalising this sensitive issue and came to power with a thumping majority.

Rafale fails to help the opposition

The Rafale deal controversy was a prominent political drama that the whole nation was watching. The deal took place in September 2016. This deal was finalised with the French government to purchase 36 new Rafale fighter jets in 7.87 billion euros. The opposition parties blamed the Union government for involving a business tycoon Anil Ambani’s company in this deal instead of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Rahul Gandhi used Rafale as a weapon to gain political mileage before the general election, but it went futile. Later Supreme Court had also given a clean chit to the government. During this time, the Congress Scion also popularised the Chowkidar Chor Hai catchphrase.

Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2019. This Bill has divided the Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs, i.e. Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Govt releases five politicians

Five political leaders were released in Srinagar from nearly five months detention couple of days ago. The government kept them into custody as a precautionary measure ahead of the scrapping of Article 370.

Three veteran politicians still in custody

However, three stalwarts of Kashmir politics – National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti are still in custody. The government has not announced any definite date for their release.

Triple Talaq Bill

The government passed the triple talaq bill in both the houses of the Parliament. This Bill was a bone of contention between the opposition and the ruling party for a long time. The aim behind the passing of the Bill is to provide justice to Muslim women. The Bill cleared the air that triple talaq in one sitting will be considered illegal.

Ready for hefty fines

Motor Vehicles Act 2019 came into effect from 1 September, which has made life difficult for violators of traffic rules. The new Act has boosted the penalty imposed by many folds. The Union government has brought this Bill to check road accidents and improve road safety across the country. Driving without a license will be fined Rs 5,000 as against the earlier fine of Rs 500. Don’t mix drink and driving; drunken driving is likely to end you with a penalty of Rs 2, 000 instead of the earlier fine of Rs 1,000 with six months of imprisonment.

Citizenship Amendment Act

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 got the nod from the Parliament on 11 December 2019. With the ascent of President Ram Nath Kovind, it has now become an act. The Bill has given the provision to members of the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities who have come from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh since 31 December 2014 that they will be given Indian citizenship. There is a countrywide protest going on questioning the nature of this Act. It is much debated that Bill is directly against the secular nature of the Indian Constitution, particularly against Article 14 since the Bill has left out Muslims. Northeast India essentially people in Assam have vehemently protested against this Bill.

NRC another burning issue

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is another hot issue the country has been facing at this moment. The programme means to register all Indian citizens whose creation is essential by The Citizenship Amendment Act 1955 as amended in 2003. It was first implemented in Assam, and the government is planning to introduce across the country until 2021. Several state governments have refused to implement NRC in their respective states.

2019 record bills get a nod

It is better to say that the year 2019 will be remembered for passing the record number of bills. People have come to widely discuss bills such as the CAA though with much interest. Everyone is waiting for how long this stir will continue. What would be the next step of the government to calm down the protesters?

The year 2019 started with a bang for the BJP with the thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls. The saffron outfit bagged 303 seats in its kitty, but it failed to hold the support of the voters in several state assemblies. The BJP’s under-par performance in Haryana and then was unable to make government in Maharashtra and ended the year in despair as it was dislodged from Jharkhand also.