Newsmakers: The Week That Was 18th to 24th March

  Although there's news everyday and follow up stories too, there are a few that make news throughout the week.

These hot news items become the trending topics on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and other popular micro-blogging sites.
Every weekend, Sakshipost brings you the newsmakers who continued to generate interest. This weekly column will give you a roundup of the most happening news over the week that passed.
Let's take a look at the hot topics that stayed in news over the week...

Sanjay Dutt: Although the news came in towards the end of the week, it still made enough noise to make it the top story of the week. The Supreme court upheld the conviction of Bollywood's Munnabhai alias Sanjay Dutt aka Sanju Baba in connection with illegal arms possession case. Soon as the verdict was out, the actor said he would bow down to the law. However, sympathies and mercy pleas poured in from his colleagues in the film industry. PCI chairman Katju also wrote to Maharashtra governor to pardon the actor and reduce his jail sentence.

CBI raid at Stalin's house: DMK pulled out of UPA over Sri Lankan Tamils issue. Two days after that, the CBI conducted a surprise raid on the house of DMK leader MK Stalin. Although DMK supporters, including its patriarch M Karunanidhi claimed that it was another of Congress' dirty tricks for withdrawing support to the central leadership, the CBI claimed it was routine crackdown on import duty evasion on a luxury car bought by Stalin's family. The raids however, invited the wrath from politicians cutting across party lines in the country.

Blackbuck hunting: Post Sanjay Dutt's conviction the axe is now on the crew of Hum Saath Saath Hain movie. Fresh charges were levelled against actors Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Neelam for hunting the protected blackbuck at Jodhpur during the film shoot.

Italian Marines: After a tough diplomatic standoff between Italy and India. Italy finally gave in to the pressure and sent back the two Italian Marines responsible for killing Indian fishermen along Kerala coast. This was after receiving an assurance from the Indian government about the protection of the marines' fundamental rights. Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone are now back in India to face trial.

Telangana: The pro-Telangana supporters cannot wait anymore. They say they have had enough and defied government's warning to stage sadak bandh to demand a separate statehood for Telangana region. They blocked the Bangalore-Hyderabad National Highway. Some eight senior leaders from the TRS and TJAC were arrested for violating rules. However, they were released later.

Sharmila padayatra: Last but not the least, the YSRCP leader and sister of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Sharmila has overcome all the hurdles on her path and how! Sharmila on Sunday crossed the 100 days milestone. With grit and determination, she has managed to prove her detractors wrong by successfully carrying on her foot march titled 'Maro Praja Prasthanam'. Besides, Sharmila has also garnered immense support for her party and Jagan. And this is just the beginning is the buzz in the political circles.

For all the news and gossips that rock the world every week, watch out for this column every Sunday.

Reshmi@sakshipost