BrahMos NG Push, LAC Border Friction and India's Need for Rocket Force
In this special edition of Battle Cry, host Gaurav Sawant explores the operational prowess of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile following Operation Sindoor and evaluates India's evolving defence strategy. BrahMos CEO Dr. Jaiteerth Joshi discusses the weapon's tri-service readiness, precision strikes, stealth capabilities, and the drive towards complete indigenisation with assembly lines active in Nagpur, Pilani, and Lucknow. DG ITBP Shatrujeet Kapoor highlights ongoing friction along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh, stressing that modern drone technology allows smaller forces to effectively challenge larger conventional adversaries. Panellists Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, Sandeep Unnithan, and Manjeet Singh Negi examine emerging non-contact warfare trends from the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-US conflicts. They debate the urgent necessity of establishing a dedicated drone, rocket, artillery, and missile force, leveraging existing artillery divisions and domestic manufacturing to plug squadron voids and safeguard national security.
Battle Cry: Gaurav Sawant With Lt Gen PR Shankar, Sandeep Unnithan & Manjeet Negi
On this episode of Battle Cry, host Gaurav Sawant discusses India's missile modernisation and conventional deterrence against regional adversaries with Lieutenant General PR Shankar, Sandeep Unnithan, and Manjeet Singh Negi. The panel analyses the combat performance of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the development of BrahMos NG and BrahMos-II, and the imperative for indigenous military production lines. Addressing border dynamics along the Line of Actual Control, the experts evaluate strategic shifts, the necessity of a dedicated drone, rocket, artillery, and missile force, and lessons from modern conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Emphasising national defence readiness, Lieutenant General PR Shankar highlights: 'The alternative to air power is missile power. The alternative to air power is rocket and drone and artillery power.' The discussion also focuses on closing force structure voids, establishing robust command and control kill chains, and securing critical maritime choke points through ground-based standoff strike capabilities.
Rahul Foreign Visits Row, Soros Link Claims & Voter List Irregularities Debate
On India First, Gaurav Sawant moderates a political debate following the Bharatiya Janata Party's fierce attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his foreign visits, political associations, and alleged regime change rhetoric. The BJP questioned Rahul Gandhi's leadership record and cited meetings abroad with figures such as US lawmaker Ilhan Omar, Sunita Viswanath, and Salil Shetty, alleging links to organizations connected to George Soros. On the show, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh argued that an opposition leader's foreign trips must be transparent and accused Gandhi of meeting individuals who take anti-India stances. Congress National Spokesperson Ruchira Chaturvedi dismissed the allegations as fabricated distractions, challenging the government to present evidence or initiate legal action instead of leveling baseless charges. Chaturvedi countered by demanding answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on electoral roll discrepancies, including the deletion of crores of voter names and unauthorized form changes, stating that the opposition has approached the courts to safeguard constitutional democracy.
Row Over Foreign Visits, Voter List Deletions & Electoral Irregularities
A debate on India First highlights a confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress regarding overseas trips by opposition leaders and accusations surrounding voter list revisions. The BJP questioned visits abroad and meetings with international figures, asking why details are not made public and alleging attempts to build narratives against national interests. In response, the Congress dismissed the allegations as fabricated attempts to distract from critical matters, pointing to large-scale irregularities in the electoral roll, unauthorized changes via Form 6, and concerns over the deletion of voter names. While the opposition demanded accountability and a press conference from the government on the sanctity of the electoral system, the ruling party maintained that voter roll updates account for shifted, deceased, or absent individuals and challenged the opposition to furnish verifiable evidence in court.