This Day in History: March 12

Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha begins

Salt Satyagraha was a pivotal moment in India’s freedom struggle. It was a non-violent satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi with thousands of people. It is also known as Dandi Satyagraham, Dandi Yatra, Dandi March. In defiance of the salt tax against the British government, Gandhi marched 384 kilometres from March 12, 1930, to April 6, 1930, along with thousands of satyagrahis and made salt at Dandi on the Gujarat coast. This trip further ignited the desire for independence among Indians.

Emergence of YSRCP

The Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) was founded by YS Jaganmohan Reddy in 2011. Jagan established the party on March 12, 2011, with the goal of realizing the political vision of his father, Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The party aimed to continue the legacy of YSR amidst the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Jaganmohan Reddy assumed the role of national president of the YSRCP upon its inception, a position he has held since then.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 11

1993 Bombay bombings

The Bombay bombings of 1993 were a tragic event in India’s history. These coordinated bombings resulted in the loss of 257 lives and left around 1,400 people injured. The attacks were orchestrated by underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, along with Tiger Memon and others. The blasts were a retaliatory act following communal riots in Mumbai. After prolonged legal proceedings, Yakub Memon, one of the accused, was sentenced to death, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court of India in 2013. However, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon remain fugitives.

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, a prominent figure in Indian politics, served as the third Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Born on May 18, 1913, in Illuru village, Anantapur district, he held various significant positions in Indian politics, including President of India and Speaker of the Lok Sabha. On March 12, 1962, he took office as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a position he held until February 29, 1964.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 10

Other Historical Events on March 12

2003: The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a viral respiratory illness that originated in China and spread globally.