The Catch Up: 24 December

This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 24th of December, and here are the headlines:

A day after Prime Minister Modi attended Christmas celebrations in Delhi, a senior Orthodox Church Bishop in Kerala criticized the event. Bishop Yuhanon Meletius, Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, shared his thoughts on Facebook, referencing two incidents of disruption at Christmas celebrations in Palakkad schools. He pointed out how bishops are revered and cribs honored at one event, while in Kerala, cribs are destroyed, following incidents involving VHP leaders and ongoing investigations into the disturbances.

Telugu actor Allu Arjun appeared before police today, following a notice issued after a stampede at the premiere of Pushpa 2 on December 4. Police are working to establish a timeline of events leading up to the stampede at Sandhya Theatre. Investigators aim to gather detailed information to assist in preparing the chargesheet. Three VHP leaders were arrested in Palakkad in connection with one incident, and authorities are continuing their search for additional suspects.

Opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi criticized the selection process for the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). At a recent meeting, they labeled the process "fundamentally flawed" and accused it of being a "pre-determined" exercise. They suggested Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph as possible candidates. However, V Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge, was appointed as the NHRC chairperson on Monday, despite their objections.

Goa may face a beef shortage as meat vendors went on strike to protest "harassment" after an altercation with members of a cow protection group in Margao. Three vendors were injured during the incident, leading to a shutdown of vendors at the SGPDA market complex. The traders cited safety concerns and called for police protection for beef transporters. The strike is expected to continue, and vendors are demanding the government take action against vigilante groups targeting them.

France has formed a new government under Prime Minister François Bayrou, marking the fourth administration of 2024. The appointment follows the collapse of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government due to disagreements over budget reforms. Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem group allied with President Macron, is tasked with stabilizing the country and passing the 2025 budget. Macron hopes the new government will navigate the political and economic challenges facing France amid ongoing crises.

This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express