Priyanka Gandhi seeks probe into RSS worker's 'suicide'; Sangh denies allegations
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has demanded a full investigation into the suspected suicide of a RSS worker in Kerala, who, according to her, had made sexual abuse allegations against members of the organisation in his purported suicide note.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) denied the allegation and filed a petition to the police on Monday seeking a detailed probe into the death of the 26 year-old techie and the conspiracy to defame the organisation.
The police also have not named the RSS or its members in the FIR, nor has the deceased's family lodged a complaint against them so far.
Anandu Aji a software engineer, hailed from Thampalakkad in Kottayam district. He was found dead at a lodge in Thampanoor here on October 9.
"Anandu Aji alleged that he was abused again and again by multiple members of the RSS," Priyanka wrote on her 'X' handle.
Several pro-Sangh Parivar social media accounts have questioned the authenticity of the claims attributed to Aji.
According to Vadra, the Wayanad MP, Aji had clearly stated that he was not the only victim and that rampant sexual abuse was taking place in RSS camps.
"If true, this is horrifying. Lakhs of young children and teenagers attend these camps all over India. The leadership of the RSS must take immediate action and come clean," she said.
Priyanka added that sexual abuse of boys was as pervasive as that of girls. "The code of silence around these unspeakably heinous crimes has to be broken," she said.
Aji, who was an RSS activist, belonged to a family associated with the organisation. A day after his death, a scheduled post appeared on his Instagram account in which he held the RSS responsible for his death.
The post contained a 15-page letter, purportedly written by Aji, in which he accused a man named N M — reportedly close to his family — of sexually abusing him from a young age.
He also alleged sexual harassment during RSS camps by other people in the organisation without taking their names.
In the note, Aji said he had been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) due to the trauma of sexual abuse and claimed that several others within the RSS had similar experiences.
RSS Kottayam Vibhag Karyavah R Sanu on Monday submitted a petition to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kanjirappally, seeking a probe into the death of Anandu Aji.
In the petition, Sanu stated that the allegations against the RSS were false, concocted, and devoid of any factual foundation.
"The RSS, being a patriotic socio-cultural organisation committed to the service of the nation, has absolutely no connection whatsoever with the tragic death of Anandu Aji," the petition said.
The RSS claimed that there was a deliberate and malicious attempt to implicate the organisation in the unfortunate incident, possibly as part of a larger conspiracy to malign and discredit its image in the public domain.
It further requested that the State Police be directed to investigate the authenticity and timing of the Instagram post.
"An independent and transparent probe will not only help bring out the truth behind the unfortunate death of Aji but will also ensure that innocent and reputed organisations like the RSS are not falsely dragged into controversies for ulterior motives," the petition stated.
Meanwhile, when asked about the case during a press conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he had read reports about the incident and that necessary legal steps would be taken.
"In Kerala, legal steps are taken appropriately, and naturally, action will follow," he said.
Thampanoor police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation.
Police said Aji' family has not lodged a complaint yet.
"We are examining the Instagram post and verifying its authenticity. We are also probing whether anyone abetted the suicide," a senior officer said.
The police plan to record the statements of Aji's mother and sister. His father had passed away in an accident a few years ago.
"The family might raise their concerns when their statement is recorded, and further action will be taken accordingly," the officer added.
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
