5 Biggest controversies that made headlines in 2016

New Delhi: The year 2016 has come to end and the year was certainly filled with bipolar takes on issues, various landmark events and massive debates and controversies. As the year is folding, we have penned down a list of the most controversial events of the year. Zakir Naik controversy:  He is a controversial Islamic preacher and televangelist, who was at the centre of a controversy after reports emerged that Dhaka terrorists were inspired by him and his speeches. The controversy was prolonged and resulted in banning of Naik’s organisation named Islamic Research Foundation’ (IRS) in various parts of the world including India. Later, Naik also held press conferences and gave away explanations to clear his stand and ideologies and shed the accusations off his shoulders. Islamic Preacher, Zakir Naik/ Image courtesy: PTI Debate over Burhan Wani’s killing: Wani was a slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander who was shot dead in an encounter in Kashmir. Wani’s death was followed by more than three month long curfew in Kashmir as people could be seen stone pelting and resorting to pellet guns. The people and government seemed divided over Wani. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also said, “We are really surprised that some people are trying to support those so called protesters who are sympathising with the terrorist. He is a Hizbul Mujahideen commander. How can any Indian have sympathy for such people? And as far as the government is concerned, we are very clear that we will not tolerate such activities”. Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani/ Image courtesy: Facebook Kanhaiya Kumar’s ‘anti-national’ controversy: Amidst the controversy engulfing the Jawaharlal National University in the national capital, the JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar emerged as a ‘hero’ in the campus. Kanhaiya was arrested on the pretext of raising anti-national slogans inside the campus. He was later arrested and released. The action came after Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s order to arrest everyone raising anti-national slogans. The arrest of Kanhaiya was followed by massive protests by students inside the campus, which later got escalated and spread across different parts of the country. Former JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar/ Image courtesy: PTI Controversy over demonetisation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes turned out to be one of the biggest controversies of the year. While some welcomed the move and the intent behind it, while others lashed out at the government and called it the ‘biggest scam of the country’. The move, as the government claims was implemented in order to eradicate ‘black money’ from the country; but brought the whole nation on one page. New currency introduced by RBI after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes Tata-Mistry row: In a move that shook many, Cyrus Mistry was sacked as the Chairman of the Tata Sons on October 24, nearly four years after he took over the the USD 100 billion salt-to-software conglomerate. The decision to sack Mistry was taken at a Board meeting held in Mumbai; post which, Ratan Tata was appointed as an interim Chairman for four months. The matter escalated after on October 25, Tata group filed caveats in Supreme Court, Bombay High Court and National Company Law Tribunal to prevent ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry from getting an ex-parte order against his sacking. Cyrus Mistry and Ratan Tata/ Image courtesy: PTI