The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced plans for protests in Goa, Bengaluru and Kolkata as it continues its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke made the announcement ahead of the organisation’s “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2. 

Dipke said the protests would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns, according to the report.

CJP plans protests in three cities

The organisation’s next protests are planned in Goa, Bengaluru and Kolkata, marking an expansion of its campaign beyond Mumbai.

The announcement comes ahead of the CJP’s ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2. 

The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 

Dipke says protest will continue

Dipke said the campaign would continue until Kumar steps down from his position. The latest announcement adds protests in three more cities to the campaign. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight, saying his courage helped protect the lives of those on board.

In a post on X on Thursday, PM Modi described Captain Machchhar as a hero and said he displayed courage despite being seriously injured during the incident. The Prime Minister also wished him a speedy recovery and renewed strength.

“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” PM Modi wrote, adding that his courage and determination helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy.

What happened on the flydubai flight

According to the report, the co-pilot of a flydubai flight carrying more than 170 passengers allegedly attempted to sabotage the aircraft while it was travelling from Dubai towards Tel Aviv.

Machchhar confronted the co-pilot during the incident and was stabbed. Passengers subsequently helped overpower the co-pilot.

The Boeing 737 was flying at around 34,000 feet when it began a sudden descent at approximately 10:51 am IST. It descended at a rate of roughly 23,000 feet per minute before reaching around 15,600 feet, according to the report.

Captain Smit Machchhar’s flying experience

Machchhar is an Indian citizen who has worked with flydubai for four years. Before joining the Dubai-based airline, he spent 10 years with SpiceJet.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft and has logged more than 9,750 flying hours. He has also worked extensively as a line training captain.

PM Modi said Machchhar’s actions in the face of serious danger demonstrated his determination to protect others and helped avert what could have been a major tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday and reviewed key areas of India-US bilateral cooperation, including trade and defence.

The conversation came as the two countries continue discussions on strengthening their broader partnership, with economic and strategic issues forming an important part of the engagement.

Modi, Trump discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation

During the phone conversation, Modi and Trump reviewed cooperation between India and the United States across several areas.

Trade and defence were among the key subjects discussed by the two leaders. Their conversation also covered energy and emerging technologies, reflecting the broad scope of the India-US partnership.

The two leaders also discussed issues linked to regional and global peace and security.

India-US trade talks continue

The conversation took place amid ongoing trade discussions between India and the United States.

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting the US from September 29 to October 5 for discussions related to an interim trade agreement and the possibility of a broader bilateral trade deal.

The talks are aimed at advancing trade engagement between the two countries as officials work towards an agreement that is described as balanced and mutually beneficial.

Defence and strategic cooperation

Defence cooperation was another area reviewed by Modi and Trump during their conversation.

India and the US have developed broader cooperation across defence and strategic sectors, and the latest discussion included the two countries’ continuing engagement in this area.

Energy and emerging technologies were also part of the leaders’ discussion, underlining the range of issues covered during the phone call.

Modi-Trump discuss regional and global issues

Beyond bilateral matters, Modi and Trump also discussed regional and global peace and security.

The conversation comes as India and the US continue to engage on issues extending beyond their bilateral relationship.

The latest phone call is part of the continuing engagement between the two leaders on strengthening cooperation across trade, defence and other areas of mutual interest.