The Catch Up: 20 December

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.
Today is the 20th of December and here are the headlines.

The ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with strong opposition from Congress and Samajwadi Party. The bill, supported by 269 MPs, aims to synchronize elections across India. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal defended it, while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it unconstitutional, warning of its impact on democracy. The bill seeks to amend three Constitution articles, based on recommendations from a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the 'Sanjeevani Yojana' on Wednesday, promising free medical care for all citizens over 60, in both government and private hospitals. The scheme is seen as a counter to the BJP-led Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Kejriwal aims to attract senior voters ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

In the wake of an altercation on Parliament premises, Congress MPs, led by Pramod Tiwari, filed a complaint with the Sansad Marg police station accusing BJP MPs of manhandling Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyanka Gandhi, witnessing the incident, described how Kharge fell after being pushed, with a CPIM MP also collapsing on him. She expressed concern that Kharge might have been seriously injured. The confrontation follows tensions between NDA and INDIA MPs during parliamentary proceedings.

Meanwhile, an Indian Navy craft, which was undergoing trials for a newly fitted engine, experienced malfunction and crashed into a passenger ferry boat, off the Mumbai coast on Wednesday that killed 13 people. An inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident but it is believed that the engine malfunction led to the rider losing control of the craft, resulting in the collision. After the Mumbai ferry accident, boat operators are pointing to the lack of regulation and monitoring in one of India’s busiest harbours. They said the Navy generally conducts its boat testing during non-peak hours, primarily in the mornings.

On the global front, Israel has announced it will close its embassy in Ireland after Dublin supported a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies” for backing the case. In response, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, emphasizing Ireland's commitment to international law.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.