• 19 Apr 2024

Shri Ram Parivar Bhakti Movement launched

Why in News?

The Vishal Bharat Sansthan, in collaboration with the Ram panth, launched a ‘Shri Ram Parivar Bhakti Movement’ on the occasion of Ram Navami in the presence of senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary.

Key Points

• The movement started with a ‘Mahadiksha Sanskar’ organised at Lamahi village, where 1,100 people pledged to take the Ram Parivar Bhakti Movement across the country.
• A group of Dalits, tribals, eunuchs, and women were ordained as priests after undergoing diksha.
• The Rampanthis will spread the culture and bring the Rambhakti movement to a wider audience. The construction of the Ram Sambandh temple in Lamhi will allow people from all faiths to visit.

Rama Navami

• It is a spring Hindu festival.
• The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• The day is the ninth and last day of Chaitra Navaratri. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year.

'Ram Lalla' Temple Built in Sonipat

Why in News?

Nirmohi Akhara, a key plaintiff in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, has constructed an impressive ‘Ram Lalla’ Temple in Khanda village, Sonipat district, Haryana.

Key Points

• The installation of the ‘Ram Lalla’ idol in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum was a highlight of the ‘Ram Navami’ celebrations.
• The 416-year-old ‘math’ underwent a significant renovation to accommodate the new temple. Saints from Nirmohi Akhara, hailing from various parts of India, participated in the week-long ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals.
• Crafted from white ‘Makrana’ marble the ‘Ram Lalla’ idol mirrors the one at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple.
  • Surrounding the idol are twelve golden arches depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
  • A symbol of Lord Vishnu, the ‘Vaishnav Dharma Istambh’, has been installed in the ‘math’.

Nirmohi Akhara

• It is an ‘akhara’ of the Ramanandi order of the Vaishnava sect, established in the early 18^th century.
• It is one of the fourteen akharas recognized by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and belongs to the Vaishnav Bairagi Sampradaya.

Preparation for Casualty-Free Lok Sabha Polls in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

According to Uttarakhand's Additional Chief Electoral Officer, preparations are under way for the Lok Sabha elections. All five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand are scheduled to take place in a single phase on 19^th April 2024.

Key Points

• According to the officials, they have arranged two helicopters for emergency service, and voting will be casualty-free and no emergency situation will arise.
• To increase voter turnout in the hill state, more than 11,000 polling booths are being set up across the state.
  • The counting of votes is scheduled on 4^th June 2024.

One Nation-One Election (ONOE)

• About:
  • The concept talks about a scenario where all State elections will take place simultaneously with the general elections of Lok Sabha, once every five years.
  • The idea is to streamline the electoral process and reduce the frequency of elections, thus saving time and resources.
• Background:
  • The idea has been around since 1983, when the Election Commission first mooted it. However, until 1967, simultaneous elections were the norm in India.
    • The first General Elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and all State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously in 1951-52.
    • That practice continued in three subsequent General Elections held in the years 1957, 1962 and 1967.
  • However, due to the premature dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969, the cycle got disrupted.
    • In 1970, the Lok Sabha was itself dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held in 1971. Thus, till 1970, only the First, Second and Third Lok Sabha enjoyed full five-year terms.

Properties Seized In Jharkhand MGNREGA Scam

Why in News?

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached four immovable properties having a value of ₹ 22.47 lakh belonging to the accused in case of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scam in Jharkhand.

Key Points

• The probe agency had initiated an investigation on the basis of 16 FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police in reference to embezzlement of ₹ 18 crore in MGNREGA work in Jharkhand's Khunti district.
• ED had conducted several searches under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) in 2022 during which huge cash of ₹ 19.58 crore was recovered and seized.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA)

• About:
  • The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prevent money laundering and provide for the confiscation of property derived from money laundering.
  • It aims to combat money laundering related to illegal activities such as drug trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism financing.
• Key Provisions of PMLA:
  • Offences and Penalties: PMLA defines money laundering offences and imposes penalties for such activities. It includes rigorous imprisonment and fines for offenders.
  • Attachment and Confiscation of Property: The Act allows for the attachment and confiscation of property involved in money laundering. It provides for the establishment of an Adjudicating Authority to oversee these proceedings.
  • Reporting Requirements: PMLA mandates certain entities, such as banks and financial institutions, to maintain records of transactions and report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
  • Designated Authority and Appellate Tribunal: The Act establishes a Designated Authority to assist in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences. It also provides for the establishment of an Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals against orders of the Adjudicating Authority.
• Amendments to PMLA, 2002 in 2023:
  • Clarification about the Position of Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of the Crime not only includes the property derived from scheduled offence but would also include any other property derived or obtained indulging into any criminal activity relate-able or similar to the scheduled offence.
  • Money Laundering Redefined: Money Laundering was not an independent crime rather depended on another crime, known as the predicate offence or scheduled offence. The amendment seeks to treat money laundering as a stand-alone crime.

Voting To Be Held On 19th April in Bastar

Why in News?

In Bastar parliamentary constituency of Chhattisgarh, voting will be held on April 19 under the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Key Points

• In this Left Wing Extremism affected constituency, about two thousand polling stations have been set up. More than 200 of these polling stations have been shifted due to security reasons.
• The Election Commission has made all preparations to conduct the voting in a fair and peaceful manner.
• Under this Lok Sabha constituency, there are six polling stations in Bijapur district where people will be able to vote again after about twenty years.

Left Wing Extremism

• Also known as left-wing terrorism or radical left-wing movements, refers to political ideologies and groups that advocate for significant societal and political change through revolutionary means.
• LWE groups may target government institutions, law enforcement agencies, or private property to further their agenda.
• The LWE movement in India originated in a 1967 uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal.