Today in History (September 4^th, 2016)

On this day, in 2016, Mother Teresa, founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity and winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize for Peace, was canonized by Pope Francis I.

Summary of Today’s News

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991
The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, passed in 1991 by the P V Narasimha Rao-led Congress Government, aims to safeguard religious freedom and maintain the character of places of worship.

Major Provisions:

1. Section 3: Prohibits the conversion of a place of worship into one of a different religious denomination or segment.
2. Section 4(1): Declares that the religious character of a place of worship remains the same as of August 15, 1947.
3. Section 4(2): Abates pending suits or legal proceedings related to converting religious character before 1947; no fresh suits can be instituted.
4. Section 5: Excludes the Act’s applicability to the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case and related proceedings.
5. Section 6: Prescribes a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment and a fine for violating the Act.

Exemptions include the Ram Janma Bhumi Babri Masjid case and ancient monuments. Critics argue it restricts judicial review and infringes on the rights of certain religious groups. However, in the 2019 Ayodhya verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the Act as an embodiment of secular values and a means to ensure the preservation of religious places while allowing litigation in similar cases.

One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE)
The ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE) plan aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across India to reduce the frequency of polls. It was initially practiced from 1951 to 1967 but later disrupted due to various factors. Reports indicate that implementing ONOE would require significant constitutional amendments and ratification from at least 50% of the States. Advocates argue it could save public money, reduce administrative strain, and focus more on development activities. Concerns include feasibility, potential disruptions if Governments collapse mid-term, and the challenge to federalism. Frequent elections are seen by some as beneficial for accountability and addressing different issues at national and state levels.

Aditya L1 mission
Aditya L1 is India’s Sun-focused space mission. Launched by the PSLV-XL rocket, it orbits the Sun-Earth L1 point, offering continuous solar observation. It carries seven scientific payloads to study the Sun’s layers, magnetic fields, and particles, aiming to understand solar dynamics and their impact on space weather.