FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY Mithun Manhas elected BCCI chief; Rajeev Shukla, Saikia re-elected as VP and secretary: Mumbai: Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas has been elected as the new BCCI President, while Rajeev Shukla and Devajit Saikia have been re-elected as the Vice-President and secretary, respectively, at the 94th Annual General Meeting held at the BCCI headquarters on Sunday. Moreover, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia has replaced Rohan Gauns Desai as Joint Secretary, and Raghuram Bhat has been elected as Treasurer. BCCI Secretary Saikia said that all the apex council members have been elected unopposed, as there was no opposition against the candidates who submitted their nominations for their respective posts. Page 12 Two terrorists killed in LoC infiltration bid: Jammu: Security forces on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid with the elimination of two terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran sector of Kupwara, in north Kashmir.The heavilyarmed terrorists were intercepted while trying to cross the international border from the Pakistanoccupied side, triggering a fierce gunfight. The search operation is still underway, with reinforcements sealing possible escape routes. The Keran sector, a sensitive zone with repeated infiltration attempts, has been under tight vigil as such bids usually rise before winters. | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR EAM urges world to crack down on terror financing PARWINDER SANDHU New Delhi, 28 September T aking a direct hit at Islamabad, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar called it an epicentre of global terrorism during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today. “India has confronted this challenge since independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism,” he said. Recalling the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead in April, Jaishankar said that while asserting our rights, we must also firmly face up to threats. “For decades now, major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country. UN’s designated lists of terrorists are replete with its nationals. The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year. India exercised its right to defend its people against terrorism and brought its organisers and perpetrators to justice,” he said. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addresses the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. AGENCIES Stating that terrorism is a shared threat, the EAM sought much deeper international cooperation and choking the funding of countries that harbour terrorists. “When nations openly declare terrorism as state policy, when terror hubs operate on an industrial scale, when terrorists are publicly glorified, then such actions must be unequivocally condemned. Relentless pressure must be applied on the entire terrorism eco-system. Those who condone nations that sponsor terror will find that it comes back to bite them,” he added. The EAM further spoke about “de-risking” stating that it has become a “growing compulsion” for countries facing “tariff volatility and uncertain market access.” “When it came to trade, non-market practices gamed rules and regimes. The resulting concentration exposed the world to leveraging. On top of that, we now see tariff volatility and uncertain market access as a result. De-risking is a growing compulsion, whether from limited sources of supply or over-dependence on a particular market,” Jaishankar added. He further spoke about the UN being in a state of crisis adding that when peace is under threat from conflicts, the UN remains gridlocked. He also stated that while the UN remains resistant to reform, most members strongly desire change; but the process is being made an obstacle to the outcome. “It is imperative that we see through this cynicism and purposefully address the reform agenda. The historical injustice done to Africa should be redressed. Both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council must be expanded. A reformed Council must be truly representative. And India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities,” he said. EAM Jaishankar further pointed out that India had undertaken over 600 development projects in 78 countries, along with many community-based initiatives covering infrastructure, livelihoods, capacity building, education, and welfare. | Monday, 29 September 2025 Karur tragedy: Blame game erupts, death toll rises to 40 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chennai, 28 September Even as the toll in the horrendous stampede at the rally of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Saturday has risen to 40, including 10 children and 17 women, a blame game has erupted between the ruling DMK and the principal opposition AIADMK, while the TVK has knocked at the doors of the judiciary, urging Madras High Court to take up a suo motu case and order a probe either by the CBI or a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT). Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) were engaged in a war of words on apportioning the responsibility for the loss of so many lives. Meanwhile, Vijay, expressing profound and immense grief, cancelled the coming Saturday’s campaign. “I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures. My eyes and mind are clouded with sorrow… This is indeed an irreparable loss for us… Yet, as a member Family members mourn the death of the Karur stampede victims on Sunday. AGENCIES of your family, I intend to provide 20 lakh rupees to each family that has lost a loved one and 2 lakh rupees to those who are injured and receiving treatment. This amount is, of course, not significant in the face of such a loss. Still, at this moment, it is my duty as one who belongs to your family to stand by you, my dear ones, with a heavy heart,” he wrote on the X platform, adding “let us strive to recover from all this.” With the TVK facing flak for the tragedy and the Tamil Nadu police registering a case against the party general secretary Bussy N Anand and three others, a team of party advocates accompanied by CTR Nirmal Kumar, approached Justice M Dhandapani at his residence pleading for the High Court to take up a suo motu case and seeking either a probe by the CBI or an SIT. Later, Nirmal Kuamr told the media that it will be taken up by the Madurai Bench on Monday afternoon. • More reports: Page 8 Swami Chaitanyanand arrested Russia preparing for President Putin’s from Agra in harassment case visit to India later this year: Lavrov STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Agra, 28 September A Delhi Court sent Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-proclaimed godman who was accused of sexually harassing 17 girl students at a private institute, to five-day police custody on Sunday, Delhi Police said. He was arrested early in the morning at a hotel in Agra. Delhi Police said that acting on a tip-off, the team reached Agra and arrested Chaitanyananda. He was produced before the judge in the afternoon. During the arguments, the prosecution alleged that Saraswati had molested several women and sought sexual favours from them, and that the testimonies of the victims had corroborated the allegations. According to the FIR against Chaitanyananda, the former chairman of a management institute in southwest Delhi, allegedly pressured female students to visit his quarters late at night, and also used to send them inappropriate text messages at unusual hours. Chaitanyananda is also accused of embezzling Rs 20 crore, falsely claiming membership in a national advisory council, and using photoshopped images to show himself with prominent politicians. Following the investigation into this case, police froze more than 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits linked to a trust established by Chaitanyananda, which collectively held around Rs 8 crore. During the probe, it was also found that Saraswati had allegedly operated a bank account under two different names by submitting documents with conflicting details during account opening and transfers. Police added that approximately Rs 50–55 lakh had been withdrawn since the FIR was registered. Earlier in August, Chaitanyananda was booked in a separate case for allegedly sexually harassing 19 women at the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management (SRIISM) in Vasant Kunj. He served as the chancellor of the institute, which is operated by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 28 September Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday said that Moscow is preparing for President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to India, scheduled for later this year. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Lavrov said the visit is likely to take place in December and will focus on a wide-ranging bilateral agenda. “In December, a visit from President Putin is being planned to New Delhi. We have a very extensive bilateral agenda ~ trade, military-technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high-tech, artificial intelligence, and, of course, close coordination at the international level within the SCO, BRICS, and bilaterally,” Mr Lavrov stated. He also informed about the diplomatic exchanges that will continue at the ministerial level, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expected to visit Moscow this year, while Lavrov will travel to India. “My colleague Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with whom I spoke yesterday, will visit Russia this year, and I will travel to India. We hold regular exchanges,” he said. Mr Lavrov’s remarks come at a time of rising friction between New Delhi and Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil despite Western sanctions. The US administration under President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Indian goods to pressure New Delhi to reduce energy imports from Moscow as part of its broader campaign against Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Mr Lavrov defended India’s right to pursue independent economic and strategic policies, stressing that Moscow does not meddle in New Delhi’s sovereign decisions. “I don’t even ask our Indian colleagues what is going to happen to our trade relations or our oil cooperation. They are perfectly capable of making these decisions for themselves,” he said. Asserting that the economic partnership between India and Russia is “not under threat”, the Russian Foreign Minister also praised India’s stand on global issues, saying it reflects the country’s “self-respect.” ‘Vocal for local’: PM Modi calls for festive season boost to indigenous products SHAHID K ABBAS New Delhi, 28 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday called on citizens to make the upcoming festive season more meaningful by choosing indigenous products. Addressing the 126th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing “GST Bachat Utsav”, encouraging people to take a pledge to support local goods during their festival shopping. “In the coming days, festivals and celebrations will be a succession of joys. We do a lot of shopping for every festival. And this time, there’s even a 'GST Bachat Utsav’ going on," the Prime Minister said. “You can make your festivals even more special by taking a pledge. If we resolve to celebrate this festival with only indigenous products, you will see the joy of our celebrations increase exponentially,” he added. His remarks continue the government’s emphasis on the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and self-reliance. The Ministry of Finance has stated that the rationalisation of the GST structure will provide further impetus to consumption growth, with a new two-rate structure implemented, featuring a standard rate of 18 percent and a merit rate of 5 per cent. PM Modi paid tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Lata Mangeshkar on their birth anniversaries. He described Bhagat Singh as an inspiration for every Indian, especially the youth, citing his fearlessness and sacrifice for the country. “Before embracing the gallows for the country, Bhagat Singh Ji had also written a letter to the British. He said, ‘I want you to treat me and my comrades like prisoners of war. Therefore, our lives should not be taken by hanging but by shooting us directly.’ Amar Shaheed Bhagat Singh is an inspiration for every Indian, especially the youth of the country,” said PM Modi. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to Lata Mangeshkar, calling her songs a reflection of human emotions and patriotism. He spoke of her deep connection with Indian culture and her contribution to popularising the works of Veer Savarkar. He highlighted the achievements of Indian women across various fields, including Lieutenant Commander Dilna and Lieutenant Commander Roopa, who successfully completed the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition. “During this time of Navratri, we worship Shakti. We celebrate the festival of woman power. From business to sports, from education to science, take any field—the daughters of our country are making a mark everywhere,” said PM Modi. Mr Modi discussed the importance of preserving and promoting India’s cultural heritage, highlighting the Chhath Puja festival. He informed that the Government of India is striving to include Chhath Puja in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. “Chhath Puja honours Surya Dev with offerings to the setting sun. Once local, it is now becoming a global festival,” he said. He also emphasised the significance of Gandhi Jayanti and the adoption of Swadeshi. He urged citizens to buy Khadi products on 2 October, saying, “Say it with pride, these are Swadeshi. Share it on social media with VocalForLocal.” PM Modi highlighted the growth of the handloom and handicraft sector, citing examples of entrepreneurs who have successfully blended tradition with innovation. He mentioned Yaazh Naturals in Tamil Nadu, which makes yoga mats from grass and banana fiber, and Johargram brand in Jharkhand, which has brought tribal weaving and garments to the global stage. The Prime Minister also congratulated the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on completing 100 years of service to the nation, praising its dedication and spirit of sacrifice. He also remembered Maharishi Valmiki, saying, “Maharishi Valmiki introduced us extensively to Avatar Kathas of Bhagwan Ram. He presented humanity with the marvellous epic of the Ramayana.” He reiterated the importance of cleanliness and self-reliance, saying, “Cleanliness should extend beyond our homes, becoming our responsibility everywhere – in streets, neighbourhoods, markets and villages.” He called on citizens to embrace Vocal for Local as a shopping mantra and to celebrate festivals with Swadeshi products. Paying rich tributes to legendary Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, Mr Modi said his songs continue to connect people across the globe. He praised an initiative in Sri Lanka where Hazarika’s iconic song “Manuhe-Manuhar Babe” was translated into Sinhala and Tamil, showcasing the global resonance of his music. Two of Hazarika’s songs were played during the episode, highlighting the timeless appeal of his art. PM Modi also paid homage to renowned Kannada author and philosopher S L Bhyrappa, describing him as a great thinker who enriched India’s cultural and intellectual traditions. He shared that Bhyrappa’s works will continue to guide the thinking of younger generations and teach them the importance of being proud of their roots and culture. Prime Minister Modi urged the youth to read Bhyrappa’s oeuvre, emphasising the significance of his contributions to Indian literature and thought.