This Week in Explainers: Why Ayodhya’s Ram Temple will be like no other

The first week of the year started with protests (now called off) and a sensational murder in India.

For the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), it has been a worrisome few days – the growing buzz around Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and the exposure of a scam linked to its pet project, the Mohalla Clinics.

The Indian Navy pressed into action after a Liberia-flagged merchant ship with 15 Indians on board was hijacked and rescued its nationals. And it has been keeping a close eye on the Arabian Sea after the recent spate of attacks. We tell you what’s going on.

Now moving on to something to look forward to. One of the biggest events of the month (and the year) is the inauguration of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and preparations are in full swing. We have been tracking the story closely.

In our roundup of explainers, we take a look back at the big news of the week.

1. 2024 is a big year for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The general elections will be held between April and May and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eyeing a fourth term. But before the polls, he is all set to complete one of his biggest promises made to the voters – the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It will be inaugurated on 22 January and preparations are in full swing. The idols by renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj will adorn the shrine. The temple will be like no other. Here’s a sneak peek into what the mandir will look it.

Shutters of shops along a road decorated with artwork ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Lord Ram temple, in Ayodhya. PTI

2. India is all set to get a new criminal code, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code. Under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, hit-and-run crimes attract an increased penalty. A punishment of Rs 7 lakh and a maximum ten-year prison sentence may be imposed if an offender flees or neglects to report the crime right away.

However, this has not gone down well with truck and bus drivers. They went on a nationwide strike leading to chaos — long queues outside petrol pumps and traffic jams in several Indian cities and towns. However, the Centre stepped in and the strike was called off. We explain it all.

Heavy rush at a petrol pump following the nationwide strike of truck drivers against a provision in the new penal law on hit-and-run accident cases, in Shimla, on 2 January. PTI

3. Arvind Kejriwal’s rise to prominence was because of his anti-corruption crusade. But now the Delhi chief minister and his Aam Aadmi Party have been embroiled in two controversies – the liquor policy case and the Mohalla Clinic scam.

Earlier this week, AAP leaders expressed concern that their party chief could be arrested. He was not.

The CM has skipped three summons in the liquor case and there were reports that a fourth one would be issued. But what is the alleged scam and how involved is Kejriwal?

That’s not all. The party had more reasons to worry. There are allegations of fraud against its flagship healthcare project in Delhi – the Mohalla Clinics. The alleged scam involving fake patients and fake tests runs in crores. We tell you about it.

The year has started on a sour note for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. There have been reports of his possible arrest in the liquor policy case. File photo/PTI

4. The new year came with some new rules. These are concerning UPI transactions. The changes came into effect on 1 January. There is going to be an increase in transaction limits and cash withdrawals via QR code. And then some more. Read this article to find out how your UPI transactions are changing in 2024.

New changes have been introduced to UPI transactions from 1 January

5. A sensational murder grabbed headlines this week. The victim Divya Pahuja, a 27-year-old former model, was killed in a hotel in Gurugram. She had a murky past — an accused in the murder of her ex, Gurugram’s most wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli. Pahuja allegedly conspired to get him killed in a fake encounter in 2016 in Mumbai.

The woman was shot dead on Tuesday night and her body is still missing. In this story, we tell all about Pahuja and her encounters with the criminal world.

Divya Pahuja, a former model, was murdered in Gurugram on Tuesday. Image courtesy: News18

6. For the Indian Navy, it has been a hectic past few weeks. It has increased surveillance in the Arabian Sea because of rising threats. On Thursday, a cargo ship was hijacked near the coast of Somalia with 15 Indians on board. And the Indian Navy came to the rescue Here’s all you need to know about it.

Those are the big stories from India. If you have missed out on the news because you were recovering from yearend celebrations, this list should be handy. Happy reading!

PS: If reading more is one of your resolutions for 2024, you should bookmark this page.

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Gauri Ghadi