DH 2017: Looking back at top controversies

There have been a lot of controversies that have surfaced over the past one year, escalating into mini-storms that involve politics, religion, media and security.

Alwar mob lynching

Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from Nuh district of Haryana was attacked and killed by a group of cow vigilantes affiliated with right-wing terrorist Hindutva groups in Alwar, Rajasthan. Six others who were with Pehlu Khan were also beaten up by them.

Man lynched by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan, three arrested 

Padmavati

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati stirred controversy for the theme and portrayal of 'Rani Padmavati'. Every word written and spoken on Padmavati merely became the fuel that fans the flames of a fire that refuses to burn out.

Padmavati protests: Cultural Terrorism 'Padmavati', a trial by fire

Hadiya case

Hadiya’s life, cutting across religions and personal relationships, stood scrutinized by the Supreme Court of India. Those who speak for Hadiya’s rights, meanwhile, see hope in one line in the SC order – it says the court will hear her before taking its final decision. 

Hadiya case: One woman's love, another man's jihad? 

Potholes

Why do roads in Bengaluru develop potholes after just one spell of heavy rainfall? This could be the most frequent question that Bengalureans asked this year. Potholes in the city became infamous for increased compression fractures among daily commuters. BBMP missed several deadlines to complete repair works after three deaths in a row on potholed roads.  

Flawed road-building process creates potholes, say experts

Potholed-B'luru leaves motorists with compression fractures

BBMP claim on potholes a sham

Hindi Beda!

The protests over inclusion of Hindi in the signboards at the 'Namma Metro’ in Bengaluru stirred controversy and ended up with the removal of all Hindi boards. Politicians, activists and ideologues came together to protest against the "imposition" of Hindi and its ideological contours.  Many opined that it’s time to launch a movement for replacing Hindi with the regional languages in banks, post offices, railways and a host of public services, defence and PSU examinations.

The larger language issue

Fight against Hindi 'imposition' moves to the next level

Human shield row

Farooq Ahmad Dar was tied by an army major to the bonnet of a jeep and paraded through several villages for nearly five hours. A short video clip that went viral invited criticisms at the international level. Under criticism, the army justified strapping Dar to the vehicle claiming that he was “instigating a stone-pelting mob” and “could have been their ring leader”.

 

'Identify those involved in human shield case'

Human shield row: Is dragging a person for 28 km bravery, victim asks 

(Compiled by Lijo Abraham)