www.thestatesman.com India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | | FOLLOW US: ` 5.00 | @TheStatesmanLtd KOLKATA 8th Day | @thestatesmanltd NEW DELHI People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW Evolve SILIGURI | 22 March 2026 S P O RT S Bhagvad Gita: It is still relevant today Sitaram Sharma: The founder of TIPs | Another setback for KKR: Akash Deep ruled out of IPL 2026 Page 16 PM speaks to Iran’s President, EAM talks to his counterpart STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Trump considering winding down in Iran New Delhi, 21 March P rime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday and condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the ongoing war in West Asia while underlining the importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation. Later, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and discussed the implications of the conflict for the larger region. The PM conveyed his greetings to President Pezeshkian on the auspicious occasions of Eid and Nowruz. During the discussion, both leaders expressed their shared hope that this festive season would usher in a period of peace, stability, and prosperity for the West Asian region. Condemning the attacks on critical infrastructure, the PM observed that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt vital global supply chains. He reiterated the critical importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation and ensuring that international shipping lanes remain open and secure. Furthermore, Mr Modi expressed his sincere appreciation for Iran’s continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country. President Pezeshkian had briefed the Indian leader on the situation in Iran and shared his views on recent developments in the region. Soon after the PM’s telephonic talk, Mr Jaisahankar spoke to the Iranian foreign minister and later wrote on X: “Spoke this evening to FM @araghchi of Iran. Conveyed greetings for Navroz and Eid. Our conversation was on the latest developments regarding the conflict. And its implications for the larger region.” UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi, 21 March Hinting at wrapping up military operations against Iran in the near future, US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that the United States is 'getting very close' to meeting objectives of 'winding down' military efforts in the Middle East. He said the US is ‘completely degrading’ Iranian missile capability, launchers, and everything else pertaining to them and destroying Iran’s defence industrial base. The objectives of eliminating Iran’s Navy and Air Force, including anti-aircraft weaponry, and never allowing Iran to get even close to nuclear capability, are also being achieved, he said on his social media platform. While hinting at a role for US in the future management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, he said the Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed by other nations who use it. Despite the comments, Washington is continuing to reinforce its presence in the region, with thousands of additional US Marines and sailors being deployed as the conflict with Iran enters its fourth week. • Related reports: Page 7 Indian firms looking to buy Iran oil JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY New Delhi, 21 March Amid indications that the US-Iran war may be winding down, Indian refiners are believed to be looking at buying Iranian oil through a combination of rupee payments, partial deferred accounting and even barters which could later help rebuild Iran's civilian infrastructure now that the US administration has given a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea. Top sources in Indian refining firms said they were looking at "quick purchases" of Iranian crude, much of which is on the high seas in ships that are idling in the Indian Ocean. "We have a long tradition since the 1990s of buying Iranian oil … its natural that we should be among the first to try and corner stores from there," said Sandeep Johri, a commodities trader. At its peak, Iran supplied roughly 10 to 15 per cent of India's crude. The appeal was not merely geopolitical or price-wise, it was geological. "Iranian crude grades suit Indian refineries,"averredJohri.According to estimates about 130-170 million barrels of Iranian crude are at sea, mostly in the Indian Ocean, but also in the Mediterranean and South China Sea. The US waiver announced Friday applies to oil loaded on or before 20 March, on ships, including sanctioned tankers. They must however be offloaded at the receiving port by 19 April. When Western sanctions against Tehran tightened between 2010 and 2012, targeting Iran's financial arteries, the problem for India was not access to crude but the means to pay for it. “So we invented ways including Rupee purchases which were used by the Iranians to pay for rice, tea and other food stocks and machinery which they bought from us,” said top commerce ministry officials. At that time, India devised a split-payment mechanism, Indian refiners deposited roughly 45 per cent of their dues in rupees into accounts held by Iranian banks within India, most notably through UCO Bank, state-run lender with minimalexposuretotheAmerican financial system and, therefore, less vulnerable to secondary sanctions. This was the money that was used for purchases from India. The remainder 55 per cent was deferred and held in escrow accounts. When geopolitics allowed it, this money was converted into hard currencies like dollars or Euros and taken by Iran, with the payments routed through third countries such as UAE or Turkey. The two countries even formalised a new rupee-based payment framework in late 2018, once again relying on UCO Bank as the conduit. "An expanded rupee-based system, perhaps broader in scope, tied to a wider basket of Indian exports will probably be the way forward for refineries like Reliance or Indian Oil if they go for such deals to look at," said Johri. Officials hinted barters could also be considered in the longer run by paying for oil through Indian project spending in repairingoilandportinfrastructure. "Civilian infrastructure which has been devastated in both Iran and Gulf countries will have to be rebuilt. We want to encourageIndianprojectexporters and engineering companies to be ready for work once peace returns," they said. Congress, other Opposition parties condemn police action at UNI office STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 21 March The Congress, AAP and Left parties on Saturday strongly condemned the manhandling of journalists and other employees at the United News of India (UNI) office at 9 Rafi Marg in New Delhi yrsterday evening and called the police action a direct assault on press freedom. In an unprecedented development in the history of Maha women’s panel chief quits amid godman row media in independemt India, the premises of one of the country's oldest news agencies, the United News of India, were forcibly vacated on Friday evening without any prior notice, with a heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces. Strongly reacting to the sealing of the news agency's office, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala in a post on X in Hindi said: "The way the media was treated by the police and paramilitary forces at the UNI (United News of India) premises, one thing is clear that the BJP government has issued a Hitler-like decree for the media fraternity." "In 2016, the central government imposed a one-day ban on NDTV Group's Hindi news channel NDTV India for reporting that was exposing the government," Mr Surjewala further said. Former Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj also condemned the incident. In a post on X, Mr Bhardwaj said: "This is wrong and unprecedented. This is happening to UNI right here in Delhi. Police cannot use force and threats against press. Police has no right to abuse anyone." The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also strongly condemned the alleged conduct of police forces during the operation, with party General Secretary M A Baby terming the incident “shocking” and “unacceptable in a democracy.” In a statement, Mr Baby criticised the role of the Delhi Police and accompanying paramilitary personnel, alleging that journalists were “dragged out and manhandled” during the action. He said the manner in which the operation was conducted reflected “highhandedness” and a disregard for basic rights. “Such high-handedness, denial of advance notice and time to gather personal belongings, and reported mistreatment, including of women staff, is unacceptable in a democracy and cannot be justified under the cover of a court order,” the CPI(M) leader said. The incident took place at UNI’s office on Rafi Marg in the heart of the national capital, a key hub for media organisations and government institutions. Journalists present at the scene have alleged that security personnel entered the premises without prior warning and forcibly evicted staff, leading to chaotic scenes and claims of physical mistreatment. Media bodies slam action against UNI: New Delhi: The manhandling of female journalists and staff of United News of India (UNI) and subsequent sealing of its office by authorities in the national capital on Friday night, has triggered sharp condemnation from media bodies across the country. Several journalist organisations, including the Press Club of India, the Editors Guild of India, the Indian Journalists Association, the Delhi Union of Journalists, the Mumbai Press Club, the Indian Women’s Press Corps, and Ranchi Press Club condemned the action, citing violation of Press freedoms and demanding accountability and a thorough probe into the incident. Page 4 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai, 21 March Rupali Chakankar, a leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, resigned as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission late Friday night after controversy erupted over her alleged links with arrested godman Ashok Kharat. Her resignation came shortly after meetings with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. The move followed the circulation of photographs by the Opposition purportedly showing her association with Kharat, who is linked to the Shree Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust in Nashik district. In a statement, Chakankar said she had submitted her resignation to Sunetra Pawar, taking “moral responsibility” to ensure a fair and transparent probe into the allegations. She maintained that her association with the trust was in a social and religious capacity and denied any knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by Kharat. She also alleged that misinformation was being spread against her and said she would initiate legal action against those defaming her. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the decision regarding her constitutional post was taken after discussions between the Chief Minister and Deputy CM, while a decision on her party position would be taken after a complete investigation. Sushma Andhare of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Chakankar of being part of an alleged organised crime network linked to Kharat and demanded her arrest under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Violence erupts in Mathura after cow vigilante’s death STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mathura, 21 March Tension gripped parts of Mathura after the death of a local cow vigilante, Chandrashekhar, popularly known as “Farsa Wale Baba”, triggered protests, highway blockades, and clashes with police on Saturday morning. According to police, the incident occurred around 4 am on the Delhi–Agra National Highway (NH-19). Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar said Chandrashekhar was allegedly chasing a suspicious vehicle carrying suspected cattle smugglers and attempting to stop it. Amid dense fog, a truck coming from behind — reportedly registered in Rajasthan — hit and ran over him. Police maintain that the incident was a road accident. The truck driver, who was also injured, has been taken into custody, and an investigation is underway. However, members of local cow protection groups and supporters of the deceased have rejected the police’s version, alleging that Chandrashekhar was deliberately killed as part of a conspiracy. Following the incident, large crowds gathered on the highway, blocking traffic and causing long queues of vehicles. The protest soon turned violent as demonstrators began pelting stones at police personnel, injuring several officers and damaging vehicles. Security forces responded by using tear gas shells and mild force to disperse the crowd. After nearly three hours, the traffic blockade was cleared, though sporadic clashes continued. Authorities deployed heavy police forces and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) units to control the situation. Senior administrative officials, including the Additional District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police (Rural), rushed to the spot to manage the escalating tension. The unrest reportedly flared up multiple times during the day, with protesters repeatedly regrouping and engaging in stone-pelting. In response to the deteriorating situation, additional reinforcements were called in to restore order. Meanwhile, the body of Chandrashekhar was being taken to a cow shelter in Anjanokh for final rites, where a large number of supporters had gathered to pay their respects. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident and directed officials to take strict action. He emphasised that accountability must be fixed and that those responsible will not be spared under the law. The situation in the area remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Shankaracharya Av i m u k t e s h w a r a n a n d Saraswati Ji Maharaj of the Jyotish Peeth took a swipe at the government over the death of ‘Farsa Wale Baba.’ Prez Murmu completes 21- km Parikrama, distributes chocolates to children STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Govardhan, 21 March An unique confluence of devotion, faith, and simplicity was witnessed on Saturday in the city of Lord Krishna when President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects at the world-renowned Shri Danghati Temple and completed the 'Saptakosi' 21-kilometre Parikrama. She was accompanied by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, during this visit. The President not only performed the rituals and prayers in accordance with tradition but also interacted with local children and distributed chocolates to them. At the Danghati Temple, Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Ministerin-charge Sandeep Singh received her. The temple's sevayat Sitaram Sharma, presented a chunari (sacred scarf) to the President, following which she performed the Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Thakur Shri Giriraj Maharaj with milk inside the sanctum sanctorum. The President circumambulated the temple and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation. The President and the Governor covered parts of the 21-km-long circumambulation route on foot and other parts using a golf cart.