Goodbye 2024: 10 defining events that shaped India | Take a Look
PTC Web Desk: As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at the key events that shaped India this year. From historic elections to groundbreaking achievements, here are 10 moments that defined the year.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were undoubtedly the biggest event in India this year. The world’s largest democracy voted in a new government to lead the nation for the next five years. Held over seven phases from April 19 to June 1, the elections saw 543 members elected to the Lok Sabha. The Election Commission reported that 97.9 crore people were registered as voters, with 64.64 crore votes cast. The results, announced on June 4, marked a historic victory for the BJP-led NDA, which secured 293 seats. The INDIA bloc, comprising opposition parties, won 234 seats. Narendra Modi made history by becoming the first leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to serve as Prime Minister for three consecutive terms.
State Assembly Elections
Several states also held Assembly elections this year, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
In Haryana, the BJP defied anti-incumbency and exit-poll predictions to secure a landslide victory, winning 48 of the 90 seats, an increase of eight seats from 2019. Maharashtra saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party, winning 132 seats in the 288-member assembly. The party’s Mahayuti Alliance, which includes Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 219 seats.
Arunachal Pradesh saw the incumbent BJP government retain power, improving its tally to 46 seats. Meanwhile, Sikkim’s ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) increased its tally to 31 seats. The BJP’s alliance with the SKM was dissolved earlier in the year, with the party labeling SKM as "corrupt." The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which had ruled the state for 25 years until 2019, managed to win just one seat.
A historic shift occurred in Odisha, where the BJP ended the Biju Janata Dal’s 24-year rule by winning 78 seats in the 147-member Assembly. In Jharkhand, the INDIA bloc emerged victorious. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) became the single largest party with 34 seats, while the Congress secured 16. Together, the alliance formed the government with 50 of the 81 seats.
Jammu and Kashmir’s historic election
For the first time since 2014, Jammu and Kashmir held Assembly elections. This marked a historic moment as it was the first election since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which changed J&K’s status to a Union Territory. Held over three phases in September and October, the elections recorded an overall voter turnout of 63.88%, with the third phase seeing 69.69% turnout.
The National Conference (NC) emerged as the largest party with 42 seats, while the BJP won 29 seats. The Congress, in alliance with the NC, secured six seats. This election was a pivotal step in restoring democratic processes in the region.
Opposition leaders’ arrests
The year saw high-profile arrests of two chief ministers. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy of 2021-22. Later, on June 26, the CBI also arrested him. However, the Supreme Court granted him bail on September 13.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 by the ED in an alleged money laundering case related to a land scam. After nearly five months in custody, Soren was granted bail on June 28 by the High Court. The ED’s investigation claimed Soren acquired 8.5 acres of land through fraudulent means, recovering Rs 36 lakh in cash during the probe.
India and China’s border agreement
In a significant development, India and China reached an agreement on October 21 to address their long-standing border dispute. The deal focused on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), reducing tensions that had persisted since 2020. The standoff was initially triggered by China’s objections to Indian infrastructure projects near the Galwan River Valley. This agreement marked a step towards resolving one of the most contentious issues between the two nations.
India’s T20 World Cup triumph
Team India broke its ICC tournament jinx by winning the T20 World Cup in 2024. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final. This victory came after a 12-year gap since India’s last ICC trophy win.
Gukesh’s chess glory
Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju made history on December 12 by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion. At just 18 years old, Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in a dramatic final. This victory surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record, making Gukesh the youngest champion since 1985. The tournament saw ten drawn games before Gukesh capitalized on a critical error by Ding to secure the title.
Olympics: Hits and Misses
India’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was a mix of achievements and disappointments. The country bagged six medals, including one silver and five bronze. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal, while shooter Manu Bhaker created history by winning two bronze medals. Other medalists included shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, wrestler Aman Shehrawat, and the men’s hockey team, which clinched bronze after missing the finals.
However, India’s performance fell short of expectations, with no medals from badminton or boxing and a solitary wrestling medal. Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification in the gold medal match due to being overweight was a major setback, as was PV Sindhu’s early exit.
Kerala RG Kar Medical incident
The nation was shaken by the tragic case of a resident doctor’s sexual assault and murder at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The incident sparked nationwide protests by doctors demanding justice and raised critical concerns about women’s safety and workplace security in India. Healthcare services across the country were disrupted as doctors participated in strikes to express their outrage.
Farewells and celebrations
The year saw India bid farewell to several prominent personalities, including industrialist Ratan Tata, musicians Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Rashid Khan, singer Pankaj Udhas, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Their contributions left an indelible mark on the nation.
Grand wedding of Akash Ambani and Radhika Merchant
On a celebratory note, the grand wedding of Akash Ambani and Radhika Merchant captured global attention. Estimated to have cost Rs 5,000 crore, the event featured a host of Bollywood and international celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, John Cena, and MS Dhoni. Jamnagar even saw the establishment of a temporary international airport to accommodate the guests.
- With inputs from agencies
