Tehran, Oct 1: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected on Thursday the British government’s claim that Iran has “played a part” in a recent incident near the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, a base hosting the US Air Force in southwest England.

British police on Sunday detained five men, all in their 20s, on suspicion of “explosives and terrorism offences” in the Gloucestershire countryside near the air base after they were informed that three vans had been seen heading to the base, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Araghchi issued the denial in a post on social media platform X Thursday, a day after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in an interview with BBC News, “There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation.”

On Monday, the five individuals were all released on police bail after an examination of what was found in the vans and an investigation into the addresses linked to them across London.

“PM Burnham says the UK Government ‘can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part’ in the RAF Fairford incident,” said Araghchi, adding, “I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Britain’s decision to grant the suspects bail was criticised by US officials, including President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had been “disturbed” by the move.

Trump also said that the United States would win its war with Iran “very quickly”, claiming Tehran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded and Washington had established “virtually total control” of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks on Wednesday (local time) during a White House event marking National Hispanic Heritage Month, where he ranged across foreign policy issues including Iraq, Iran and Venezuela before turning to the theme of the celebration.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Launching a direct and fiery broadside at Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday warned the state government against making tactical errors, daring the authorities to arrest him ahead of CJP’s scheduled demonstrations from October 2 in Mumbai.

“Do not repeat the mistake committed on July 20. If you want to arrest us, do it right now,” he declared during a press conference in Mumbai, setting a tense backdrop for his party’s upcoming agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Calling Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar a “traitor to the nation,” Dipke demanded his immediate resignation over allegations of widespread electoral roll manipulation.

He accused the ruling coalition of engaging in state-sponsored disenfranchisement and using the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a political tool.

“Whoever sits as the Chief Election Commissioner must be transparent. The 13 crore voters whose names were deleted across the country will hit the streets, and when they do, the public will demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar’s bosses,” Dipke asserted.

He further demanded that the Election Commission freeze the recent Special Summary Revision (SIR) lists and conduct upcoming elections strictly using the 2005 voter lists.

Addressing questions regarding police authorisation for the demonstrations, Dipke rejected the necessity of official approval, drawing a historical parallel to the Indian freedom struggle.

“Which of our protests was ever granted permission? We are protesting democratically against the ruling power — why would they permit it? Had Mahatma Gandhi asked the British for permission to protest, they would have refused him too. Permission or not, we will march,” he said.

Taking a direct swipe at CM Fadnavis over his recent remarks that protesters face a three-day jail term before securing bail, Dipke scoffed, “Keep me in jail for three months instead of three days… I will return to the streets again and again,” echoing Fadnavis’s famous political slogan.

He also questioned the selective granting of venue permissions: “If Devendra Fadnavis can hold a political rally at Shivaji Park and ask for votes, why are we barred from protesting at the very same site?”

Dipke announced that CJP will extend full support to the opposition’s joint agitation on October 4. While Dipke will be on a nationwide tour, CJP cadres will assemble in force in Mumbai, setting aside party lines to join a larger united front against the ECI.

Looking ahead to future electoral dynamics, Dipke highlighted the power of young voters. He said, “In the 2029 elections, Gen Z will constitute the single largest voter demographic. It is our duty to deliver the kind of country they envision and deserve.”

Addressing recent public criticism of his high-end wardrobe choices during political campaigns, Dipke dismissed the political chatter surrounding his Rs 30,000 shoes. “I wear Rs 30,000 shoes because I can afford them. I am a massive Shah Rukh Khan fan — it was simply a fan moment and a reel,” he clarified.

With opposition parties gearing up for a massive protest outside the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on October 6, CJP’s Mumbai agitation on October 2 marks the start of escalating confrontation between opposition factions and the Election Commission.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Against the backdrop of the severe drought-like situation prevailing across 265 talukas in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday appealed to the public to celebrate the upcoming Navratri festival and other religious and cultural events with utmost simplicity to stand firmly by the farmers, the nation’s providers.

He also urged Shiv Sena office-bearers, public festival committees (Ganesh and Navratri mandals), and citizens to contribute the funds saved from festival expenditure directly as relief to drought-affected farmers.

“Forego lavish festival celebrations this season and reallocate event funds towards the relief and rehabilitation of drought-affected farmers across Maharashtra,” he said in a post on X.

This year, due to failed rains in Vidarbha, Marathwada and other parts of the state, a shadow of drought has spread across most regions.

With nature’s fury ruining standing crops, thousands of farmers are left devastated.

Speaking on this critical situation, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde reiterated his stance, stating that “our Baliraja (farmers) have the primary right over the state treasury”.

He emphasised that during such times of crisis, the Mahayuti government and the Shiv Sena stand resolutely behind farmers with full strength.

While official government-level relief measures are actively underway, he noted that it is equally vital for everyone to step forward as a society and contribute during this hour of need.

He said celebrating upcoming festivals with grandeur and fanfare while farmers are in distress and anxiety would be inappropriate.

Therefore, public committees, Shiv Sena office-bearers, social organisations, and citizens should observe festivals. Instead of lavish expenditure on celebrations, the saved funds should be redirected towards direct relief and rehabilitation for drought-affected farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde expressed confidence that if everyone comes to the aid of food providers during their time of crisis, overcoming this natural disaster would be well within reach.

He noted that if saving festival costs allows society to wipe away the tears of even a single farmer and bring a smile to that person’s face, it would truly be genuine service to Goddess Jagadamba.

Reaffirming the Mahayuti administration’s commitment to the farming sector, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said the government has prioritized mobilizing resources.

However, he called for a broader collective effort to support farmers battling agrarian distress.

“The first claim on the treasury of this state belongs to our farmers,” he said, adding that when farmers are battling the dire circumstances of drought, it is a collective moral and social responsibility to stand firmly by their side. He further said it would not be appropriate to celebrate upcoming religious or cultural festivals with great pomp and show while farmers remain gripped by anxiety.

With dry spells affecting multiple districts, the state government is actively deploying relief measures.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said unified public participation, alongside government assistance, would help the state overcome this natural adversity and restore long-term security to rural Maharashtra.