1. Haryana Political Shake-Up: Nayab Singh Saini has taken oath as the Cheif Minister of Haryana, after Manohar Lal Khattar stepped down. Meanwhile, Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) is parting ways with the BJP in Haryana. The rift emerged over seat allocation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Chautala sought two seats, but the BJP declined. With the BJP holding a majority in the state assembly, the split was inevitable.

2. India Asserts Arunachal Sovereignty: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly dismissed China’s objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh. The MEA emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. China’s objections, it stated, “do not stand to reason.” The state’s status remains unchanged, and Indian leaders continue to visit Arunachal Pradesh as they do other states in the country.

3. CAA Sparks Controversy: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), enacted in December 2019 and enforced on January 10, 2020, has been a contentious issue in India. While the BJP-led government asserts that it aims to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants facing religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, opposition parties view it as discriminatory. The timing of its implementation, just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, has intensified the debate.

4. Veto Power Scrutinized: India has strongly condemned the use of veto powers by certain countries to block evidence-based terrorist listings at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The practice, deemed uncalled for, undermines the council’s commitment to tackling terrorism. China’s recent blocking of a proposal to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist has drawn scrutiny. India calls for transparency and better implementation of peacekeeping mandates, urging UNSC reforms and expansion.

5. Mumbai Coastal Road Unveiled: The first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project is now open to the public. Stretching 10.5 kilometers from Worli to Marine Drive, this ambitious corridor aims to ease traffic congestion. Motorists can access the coastal road from Worli Seaface, Haji Ali interchange, and Amarson’s interchange points. The maximum speed limits are 80 km/h on the main road, 60 km/h in the tunnel, and 40 km/h at turning and entry-exit points. The project cost ₹12,721 crore and includes a sprawling central park along the route.

6. High-Security Gangster Wedding: Notorious gangster Sandeep, alias Kala Jathedi, and Anuradha Choudhary, known as ‘Madam Minz,’ tied the knot in Delhi’s Dwarka. Despite being lodged in Tihar Jail, Kala Jathedi received a six-hour parole for the wedding. Over 200 police personnel were deployed to prevent gang wars or any escape attempts. The Santosh Garden banquet hall in Dwarka’s Sector 3 witnessed the heavily guarded ceremony.

7. Tamil Nadu Rejects CAA: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has unequivocally stated that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will not be implemented in Tamil Nadu. The move comes after the Union Home Ministry notified the CAA rules, which fast-track citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Also, several states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, have voiced their disagreement with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). 

8. Gaza Talks: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. During their meeting, they explored avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as defense, counterterrorism, and technology. The leaders also discussed regional security dynamics, including the ongoing situation in Gaza, and the pressing need for humanitarian assistance. Their exchange emphasized the importance of close ties between India and Israel in addressing shared challenges.

9. Troop Withdrawal: India has initiated the withdrawal of its military personnel from the Maldives. The first batch of 25 soldiers stationed in the southernmost Addu atoll has departed, adhering to the agreed-upon process. The move comes after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for India to withdraw all troops from the Indian Ocean archipelago by March 15. 

10. Mother’s Name Mandate: The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has taken a significant step toward gender equality. Starting from May 1, 2024, the mother’s name will be compulsory on all government documents, including birth certificates, school records, property deeds, Aadhar cards, and PAN cards. This move aims to recognize and acknowledge the role of mothers in official records.

11. Gulmarg’s Winter Wonderland: The ski resort of Gulmarg, nestled in Jammu and Kashmir, is currently experiencing heavy snowfall. With 16 inches of fresh snow in the past 24 hours, the slopes are a pristine white canvas for winter enthusiasts. The temperature hovers below freezing, reaching a maximum of 23°F during the day and dipping to 14°F at night. Visitors can expect calm winds and a magical snow-covered landscape. Lifts are operational, offering thrilling descents amidst the breathtaking Himalayan scenery.

12. Apology Option for Kejriwal: The Supreme Court has given Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the choice to apologize in a criminal defamation case. Kejriwal had retweeted an allegedly defamatory video related to the BJP IT Cell. The court asked whether he wanted to issue an apology, and the complainant suggested that it could be done on platforms like ‘X’ or Instagram. The legal issue of whether re-tweeting constitutes a criminal offense will also be examined.

13. India’s Arms Imports and Suppliers: India continues to hold the title of the world’s largest arms importer. Between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, its arms imports increased by 4.7%. Russia remains India’s primary arms supplier, accounting for 36% of imports. Notably, this marks the first five-year period since 1960-64 when Russia’s share fell below half of India’s arms imports. Meanwhile, China dominates as Pakistan’s main arms supplier, providing 82% of Pakistan’s arms imports. Japan and South Korea have also seen increased imports, driven by concerns over China’s ambitions in the region.

14. Maruti’s In-Plant Rail Siding: India’s first-ever in-plant railway siding at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility has been virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Aligned with the Gati Shakti program, this initiative aims to enhance logistics, reduce carbon emissions, and ease road congestion. By leveraging rail transport, the facility will dispatch 3 lakh cars annually to 15 destinations across India, eliminating 50,000 truck trips per year and saving 35 million fossil fuel liters. The fully electric railway siding is a significant step toward sustainable transportation.

15. Chrome Security Alert: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity warning for Google Chrome users. The vulnerability could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Users of Chrome versions prior to 122.0.6261.111/.112 for Windows and Mac, and 122.0.6261.111 for Linux are at risk. To safeguard against this threat, promptly update Chrome to the latest version. Navigate to Settings > About > Update Chrome to stay protected. 

The post Mar 12, India Top News: Big Haryana Political Shake-Up, States Opposing CAA, Doval Meets Netanyahu, And More first appeared on The New Voice of India - Worldwide | Short Online Top Trending & Breaking News.