Fri Oct 04 18:35:05 UTC 2024: ## Protests and Investigations Dominate Headlines in India

**Mumbai:** In a dramatic protest against the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations to the Dhangar community, Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and several tribal MLAs jumped from the third floor of the Mantralaya (secretariat building) on Friday. The incident, captured on video, showed the leaders landing safely on the building’s safety nets before being rescued by police and security officials. The protest highlighted the ongoing tension surrounding reservations in the state.

**New Delhi:** Iran’s Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, defended his country’s recent missile strike on Israel, claiming it was a necessary deterrent against the “illegitimate regime.” In an interview with India Today TV, Elahi accused Israel of only understanding the language of force and condemned its actions during the war with Hamas. Meanwhile, pilots on a Dubai-bound flight reportedly witnessed missiles launched from their cockpit over Israel on the night of October 1st. Elahi also denied that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, labeling it a political party defending Lebanese sovereignty.

**Tirupati:** The Supreme Court has ordered the formation of an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations that animal fat was used in the production of Tirupati laddus, a popular offering at the Tirupati Balaji temple. The SIT will consist of representatives from the CBI, Andhra Pradesh Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and will be supervised by the CBI Director. This decision comes after a series of pleas demanding a court-monitored probe into the matter.

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