BEL Gets Rs 30,000 Crore Order For Air Defence Systems; Vijay's TVK And Tamil Nadu Govt Attack Each Other Over Karur Tragedy; And More

Indian Army Orders Indigenous 'Anant Shastra' Air Defence Systems Worth Rs 30,000 Crore

The Indian Army has issued a tender to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procuring five to six regiments of the indigenously developed 'Anant Shastra' surface-to-air missile system, defence officials told news agency ANI.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and formerly known as Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Rs 30,000 crore project aims to bolster air defence capabilities along Pakistan and China borders.

The Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement following Operation Sindoor in May, during which Army Air Defence units successfully countered Pakistani drone attacks using existing MRSAM and Akash systems alongside the Indian Air Force.

The mobile Anant Shastra system can search, track, and engage targets while moving, with a 30-km firing range. It has completed extensive day-night trials and will complement current defence platforms.

Army Air Defence is also inducting advanced radars, short-range missiles, jammers, and laser-based anti-drone systems to counter Turkish and Chinese-origin drones used by Pakistan.

Karur Stampede: Vijay's TVK Alleges Conspiracy, Police Blame Organisers

A day after at least 40 people died and over 100 were injured at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, state authorities and the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) have engaged in mutual blame.

Police have filed an FIR against three TVK officials—district secretary Madhiazhagan, general secretary Bussy Anand, and joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar—under sections including culpable homicide and endangering lives.

Additional DGP Davidson Devasirvatham cited multiple failures: 'Vijay arrived three hours late, didn't exit his bus for 10 minutes despite restless crowds, and organisers ignored police instructions on parking. The crowd swelled to 25,000 despite permission for only 10,000, with inadequate arrangements'.

TVK counsel S Arivazhagan alleged a "political conspiracy" and demanded an independent probe, accusing authorities of rushed autopsies.

Chief Minister MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for victims' families and appointed Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate. "Such tragedy should never happen again," Stalin said, not ruling out Vijay's arrest.

Other developments

India Signs Rs 1.02 Lakh Crore Food Processing Deals at World Food India 2025

The government secured investment commitments worth Rs 1.02 lakh crore from 26 domestic and global companies at the World Food India 2025 summit, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced on September 28.

The four-day event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, concluded with landmark agreements expected to create direct employment for over 64,000 people and indirect opportunities for 10 lakh individuals.

Major investors include Reliance Consumer Products (Rs 40,000 crore for integrated facilities), Coca-Cola India bottlers (Rs 25,760 crore), and Amul. Other signatories include Nestlé India, Tata Consumer Products, Carlsberg, Patanjali Foods, Dabur, and Haldiram.

Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Refutes Centre's Allegations, Calls Detention "Witch Hunt"

Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, has dismissed all allegations against her husband following violence that killed four during his hunger strike demanding Ladakh statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

Angmo told a private news channel that the "witch hunt" began four years ago when Wangchuk advocated for Ladakh's legislature. She alleged Intelligence Bureau officials threatened them over foreign funding licenses for their NGO, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL).

Last week, the Home Ministry cancelled the FCRA license of Wangchuk's other organization, SECMOL, citing violations including using foreign funds to "study national sovereignty."

Defending her husband's Pakistan visit, Angmo said he attended a UN-backed climate conference and praised PM Modi there. "Not everybody who goes to China is a terrorist," she stated.

Angmo denied Wangchuk incited violence, saying he immediately stopped his fast and condemned the unrest. Wangchuk faces charges under the National Security Act.

Mithun Manhas Elected BCCI President, Third Consecutive Cricketer to Hold Office

Mithun Manhas was unanimously appointed BCCI president at the Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Sunday, becoming the third consecutive former cricketer after Sourav Ganguly and Roger Binny to lead Indian cricket's governing body.

The 45-year-old, who previously served as Director of Cricket for Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, succeeds Binny.

Rajeev Shukla was elected vice-president, while Devajit Saikia became honorary secretary and A Raghuram Bhat treasurer. Jaydev Shah joins as Apex Council member, with Arun Singh Dhumal and M. Khairul Jamal Majumdar inducted into the Governing Council.

Manhas enjoyed an 18-year domestic career, scoring 9,714 first-class runs including 27 centuries. He captained Delhi to Ranji Trophy glory in 2007-08.

UP: Yogi Adityanath Issues Stern Warning To Those 'Dreaming Of Ghazwa-e-Hind'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday addressed a public rally in Balrampur, Uttar Praesh where he strongly warned those dreaming of “Ghazwa-e-Hind” or creating hurdles in the state’s development. He declared that such elements would face the same fate as “Chhangur Baba” and be 'pushed directly towards hell'.

He said that anyone attempting unrest ahead of festivals would be remembered by future generations for their misdeeds.

Citing recent incidents in Bareilly, the Chief Minister said that whenever such “daring acts” occur, strict action would follow. “Remember, whenever you indulge in violence, you will be beaten the same way as in Bareilly,” he asserted.

Adityanath also criticized those who involve children in protests, particularly referring to demonstrations where minors carried “I Love Mohammad” placards.