Archive · 28 Sep 2026
September 28, 1986: Haryana Relief, Reagan Veto, Navy Helicopters
On September 28, 1986, several important announcements and incidents were reported.
Haryana’s chief minister removed a tax on land for farmers.
The change was expected to cost the state a lot of money.
In the United States, President Ronald Reagan rejected proposed economic penalties against South Africa.
He said the penalties might make it harder to end apartheid peacefully.
India was buying British helicopters for Navy commando missions.
Meanwhile, cricket captain Kapil Dev received a mysterious parcel at the Kotla ground.
It contained an old transistor, and security guards took it away because people worried it might be a bomb.
Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal abolished land revenue immediately, costing the state an estimated Rs 113 crore.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan vetoed Congressional economic sanctions against South Africa over concerns about their effect on ending apartheid.
Congress could override Reagan’s veto, potentially creating a major foreign-policy defeat for the president.
India was buying new Westland commando helicopters from Britain for Navy assaults on shore-based targets.
An anonymous parcel sent to Indian captain Kapil Dev contained an old transistor and was removed by security guards amid bomb fears.
- Who
- Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal, U.S. President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Congress, India’s Navy, and cricket captain Kapil Dev were central to the reports.
- What
- The reports covered Haryana abolishing land revenue, Reagan vetoing South Africa sanctions, India buying commando helicopters, and a suspicious parcel sent to Kapil Dev.
- When
- September 28, 1986.
- Where
- Haryana; the United States and South Africa; Britain and India; and the Kotla ground.
- Why
- Bansi Lal announced relief for farmers; Reagan said sanctions could impede a peaceful end to apartheid; India sought helicopters for naval commando assaults; and security guards removed the parcel because it was feared to be a bomb.
Congressional Sanctions Supporters
Reagan Administration
Economic sanctions against South Africa
Congressional Sanctions Supporters
Congress approved a package of economic sanctions, creating the possibility of overriding the presidential veto.
Reagan Administration
Ronald Reagan vetoed the package, arguing that most of its measures would seriously impede the prospects for a peaceful end to apartheid.
- Haryana land-revenue decision
- Abolished with immediate effect
- Estimated cost to Haryana
- Rs 113 crore
- South Africa sanctions
- Vetoed by President Ronald Reagan
- Reagan’s stated concern
- The measures could impede a peaceful end to apartheid
- Helicopter supplier
- Westland of Britain
- Intended military use
- Navy commando assaults on shore-based targets
- Kapil Dev parcel
- An anonymous registered parcel containing an old transistor