Amit Shah says Maoism has nearly ended in Chhatisgarh’s Bastar; Trump threatens to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure if no deal is reached, and more in The Hindu’s top news of March 30, 2026.

Maoism almost ended in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, Amit Shah says

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on Maoism, said that the movement has “almost finished” in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. “Those who were advertising theory, a wrong narrative, a wrong dream was being presented in front of the innocent Tribal people that they are fighting for their rights, to bring justice to them… Today Naxalism is almost finished in Bastar, there was a movement to make school, ration shops at each village, 5 kg food grain is being distributed, we are making Aadhaar cards,” he said.

Trump threatens to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure if no deal is reached

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (March 30, 2026) threatened to strike Iran’s oil, power and water infrastructure if Tehran did not agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon. “The United States of America is in serious discussions with a new and more reasonable regime to end our Military Operations in Iran,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post. “Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).”

Lok Sabha passes insolvency law amendments; Sitharaman says Bill will help maximise value for stakeholders

The Lok Sabha on Monday (March 30, 2026) passed a Bill to amend the insolvency law to provide for strict timelines, an out-of-court settlement option and enable the framework for cross-border insolvency processes. Piloting the bill in the Lok Sabha, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that 12 amendments are being made in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which came into force in 2016, that would help maximise the value for stakeholders and improve the governing process itself.

Tamil Nadu polls: Vijay cancels rally in Chennai’s Villivakkam citing lack of security

TVK president Vijay was scheduled to campaign in Perambur, Kolathur and Villivakkam Assembly segments from 2 p.m. till late evening, on Monday (March 30, 2026). However, he began his campaign earlier than the scheduled time. He ended the campaign after addressing the public for a few minutes in Perambur and Kolathur. He did not proceed to Villivakkam as planned. The party cited lack of security as the reason for the change in schedule. It also wrote to the Election Commission citing lapses in security arrangements.

Earliest Census data to be available in 2027; first phase to start from April 1: RGI

As the Population Census 2027 is being conducted digitally, most census data will be published in 2027, said Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) Mritunjay Kumar Narayan on Monday (March 30, 2026). He said that the caste enumeration methodology, which will be conducted in the second phase, is yet to be finalised and they are studying multiple suggestions received on the subject.

BJP seeks campaign ban on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over alleged MCC violations

The BJP on Monday (March 30, 2026) urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to initiate legal proceedings and prohibit West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from participating in the election campaign for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the State. A delegation comprising Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, and Sukanta Majumdar, BJP national general secretary and MP Arun Singh, BJP national media head and MP Anil Baluni and Om Pathak submitted the complaint at the EC headquarters.

Kerala polls: Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi ‘silent’ on Sabarimala issue

Launching a sharp attack on Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday (March 30, 2026) alleged that the Prime Minister remained silent on the Sabarimala issue during his Kerala visit, indicating that “the BJP-LDF works together.” Addressing a Congress election meeting in Adoor in Kerala, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha claimed that the party was facing a “combination” of the CPI(M) and the BJP in the April 9 Assembly elections in the State.

Assam saw long span of instability, but things changed in past decade: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 30, 2026) said Assam saw a long span of instability, but things changed in the past decade as the BJP’s double-engine government made every effort to ensure peace in the State. Twelve peace agreements were signed by the government with different organisations in the northeast, Mr. Modi said while addressing the BJP’s booth level workers in poll-bound Assam as part of the ‘Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot Samvaad’.

Iran confirms Revolutionary Guard navy chief Alireza Tangsiri’s death

Iran confirmed on Monday (March 30, 2026) that an Israeli strike had killed the commander of the naval force of the Revolutionary Guards, who Israel had said was responsible for the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. A statement carried by the Guards’ Sepah News website said Alireza Tangsiri “succumbed to severe injuries” from the attack last week.

Nepali protesters demand release of detained former PM Sharma Oli

Hundreds of Nepalis on Monday (March 30, 2026) demanded the release of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, arrested for his alleged role in a deadly crackdown on 2025 protests that ousted him. Mr. Oli, 74, and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested in pre-dawn raids on Saturday (March 28, 2026), a day after Prime Minister Balendra Shah was sworn in following the first elections since the September uprising.

Earthquake of magnitude 7 strikes Vanuatu Islands

A ​magnitude ‌7 earthquake ​struck ⁠the Vanuatu Islands on ‌Monday (March 30, 2026), the ‌German ‌Research ⁠Centre ⁠for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The U.S. Tsunami ​Warning ‌Center said there was no ‌tsunami threat ​from the ⁠earthquake.

WTO meet concludes; no consensus on extension of e-commerce duty moratorium

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded on Monday (March 30, 2026) in Yaounde, Cameroon, with members failing to resolve the contentious issue of extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic commerce, such as digital downloads and streaming. In May 1998, WTO members agreed for the first time not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions for two years, a moratorium that has been extended biennially since then. Its expiry would open the door to imposing tariffs on e-commerce.

Rupee breaches 95/dollar level; settles at 94.78 against U.S. dollar

The rupee on Monday breached the 95/dollar-mark in intra-day trade on Monday (March 30, 2026) and settled at 94.78 (provisional) against the American currency after Iran war escalation jolted global markets, fuelling rupee volatility and risk-off sentiment. Forex traders said the USD/INR pair witnessed high volatility and swung 165 paise during intra-day trade as the West Asia crisis entered the 31st day keeping energy markets nervous.

Improvement in manufacturing keeps IIP growth steady at 5.2% in February

India’s industrial production grew 5.2% in February, mainly due to an improvement in manufacturing output, according to official data released on Monday (March 30, 2026). The factory output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), expanded by 2.7% in February 2025, an official statement said.

IPL 2026: Varun Chakravarthy is working hard and his attitude is right, says Ajinkya Rahane

Ranked No. 2 in the ICC men’s T20I bowlers’ rankings and the joint-highest wicket-taker in India’s successful Men’s T20 World Cup title defence, Varun Chakaravarthy entered the Indian Premier League with considerable expectations. Yet, over the last month, the mystery spinner has appeared a shadow of his usual self.

Published – March 30, 2026 07:02 pm IST