As 2024 draws to a close and the new year approaches, numerous controversies have dominated the spotlight. These issues sparked widespread discussions, generated headlines, and fuelled debates across social media platforms. Here, we highlight some of the key controversies from 2024 that captured national attention and remained hot topics of debate for weeks.
5 Biggest Controversies Of 2024
NEET Controversy
The 2024 NEET-UG controversy stemmed from several discrepancies during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), one of India's largest exams in terms of the number of applicants. NEET-UG is the nationwide exam for admission to undergraduate medical programmes, organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
On May 5, 2024, the exam was hit with allegations of question paper leaks. While social media posts suggested that the exam questions had been leaked, the NTA denied these claims. In Patna, Bihar, the police arrested 13 individuals, including four students, who allegedly paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh to access the questions in advance.
In Godhra, Gujarat, a raid at an exam centre uncovered a teacher, also serving as deputy superintendent, who instructed students to leave unanswered questions blank, assuring them he would provide the correct answers. Five people were arrested, and it was revealed that candidates from several states had appeared for the exam at that centre. The cases were handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The exam results, announced on June 4, 2024, fuelled further controversy due to an unexpected surge in top scorers. Many students received mathematically implausible scores, prompting complaints and legal challenges. This led to protests by students who demanded the cancellation of the exam and a re-test.
Jaya Kishori Brand Purse Controversy
Spiritual preacher and singer Jaya Kishori faced criticism after being photographed with a Dior ‘Book Tote’ valued at over ₹2 lakh. The 29-year-old Hindu preacher was seen carrying the custom tote at an airport, prompting questions on social media about whether she truly adheres to her teachings on non-materialism and detachment.
Spiritual preacher Jiya Kishori deleted her video where she was carrying a Dior bag worth ₹ 210000 only
— Veena Jain (@DrJain21) October 25, 2024
btw she preach Non-Materialism & call herself as Devotee of Lord Krishna.
One more thing : Dior makes bag by using Calf Leather 🐄
pic.twitter.com/0mg3gcm7l9
Ms. Kishori, known for her spiritual discourses and singing, has frequently emphasised the importance of renouncing material possessions for spiritual growth. However, her appearance with such an expensive item sparked doubts about the authenticity of her message, leading to widespread controversy and debate across social media.
Tirupati Laddu Controversy
The Tirupati laddu controversy erupted when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous government of adulterating the laddu prasadam at the Tirupati temple with animal fats, including beef tallow, fish oil, and pig lard. On September 19, 2024, Naidu claimed that the laddu had been contaminated with animal fat during the previous administration, citing a lab report from the National Dairy Development Board. The allegations triggered outrage among devotees, raising concerns about the authenticity and purity of the temple's sweets.
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In response, the Supreme Court formed an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the claims. A subsequent news report clarified that the claims were connected to a consignment of ghee from a dairy in Tamil Nadu, but assured that rejected batches of ghee were not used in making the laddu prasadam.
Paris Olympics 2024 Controversy
The 2024 Paris Olympics, which kicked off on July 26, 2024, with approximately 10,500 athletes from 205 delegations, became notable for a series of controversial decisions and events. Among the most discussed were the ban on Russian athletes competing under their national flag, which was not extended to Israel, and the prohibition of headscarves for French Olympic athletes.
Additionally, there was widespread criticism over the expulsion of homeless people from the capital to clean up the city ahead of the games. The opening ceremony also drew backlash, with some calling it blasphemous. Another major point of contention was the decision to have swimmers compete in the polluted Seine River, which sparked concerns about health and safety.
Deepfake Controversy
Deepfakes became one of the most talked-about topics of 2023, earning a spot as one of the top searched terms according to Merriam-Webster's online data. These synthetic media, which use artificial intelligence to manipulate visual and audio content to make it appear genuine, are often created with malicious intent. In 2024, the misuse of deepfake technology escalated, with several Bollywood actresses, including Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt, and Deepika Padukone, becoming targets of morphed videos. This alarming trend sparked widespread concern about privacy, security, and the ethical implications of such technology in the entertainment industry.
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Credits: Freepik/ Twitter
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