Mangaluru: Former DU Prof. Dr. Shamsul Islam unveils posters on 1857 War martyrs from Karnataka
The event was organized as part of the 'BV Kakkilaya Inspired Oration for 2023'
Mangaluru: On Saturday, at the University College campus in Mangaluru, Dr. Shamsul Islam, a retired Associate Professor of Political Science from the University of Delhi, unveiled posters containing the names of four significant incidents in the state and the names of 132 martyrs from Karnataka who participated in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857. This event was organized as part of the 'BV Kakkilaya Inspired Oration for 2023' on the topic of "Joint Martyrdoms, Joint Heritage of 1857 War of Independence" by the BV Kakkilaya Foundation.
The names of these martyrs were compiled by Dr. Islam from the 'Dictionary of Martyrs: India's Freedom Struggle 1857-1947' and included those who participated in battles at Nargund, Koppal Fort, Halagali, and Surapur in Karnataka.
During his oration, Dr. Islam emphasized that paying tribute to martyrs is a way of showing respect to Mother India. He stressed the importance of acknowledging and discussing the contributions of these martyrs, stating that failing to do so sends a negative message. Dr. Islam also touched upon the principles of the Rashtriya Swayamseva Sangh (RSS), asserting that they were against both the nation and humanity.
"The person who assassinated the Father of the Nation was neither a Pakistani nor an agent of the IS. Gandhiji was assassinated by a person who impersonated a fake sense of nationalism," he asserted.
Prior to Dr. Islam's lecture, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who are students of the University College, staged a protest against the lecture alleging the lecture aimed to propagate leftist philosophy among college students. The protesters carried placards with messages like "Go Back Shamsul" and "Save UCM." There were attempts by the ABVP members to confront Dr. Shamsul Islam and Prof. Keshavan Veluthat, a retired Professor of Mangalore University and historian, as they arrived at the venue. Tight police security was provided on the University College campus, and Prof. Veluthat was escorted to the stage by law enforcement officers.
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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.
