Arrest Pramod Mutalik for spreading enmity between communities over the Azaan-Bhajan issue: HDK
Badami: Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday called for the arrest of Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Mutalik for disrupting peace and spreading enmity between communities over the Azaan-Bhajan issue.
Speaking before taking part in the Janata Jaladhare event at Badami on Tuesday, the former CM urged the state government to stop supporting people who are using emotional issues of the people to create a divide amongst the people.
“Pramod Muthalik, who has been kindling the fire of hatred in the inclusive, harmonious state of Karnataka by bringing up emotionally charged issues one after the other, should be arrested and sent to jail. Else, it will be difficult to maintain peace in the state”, he said.
“The silence of the BJP government on matters of Azan and Bhajan has caused unrest in the state. While these issues are growing larger, the government is silently promoting forces that are detrimental to the peace of the state. This should stop. After completely ruining the society, is it possible to repair it?” he questioned.
“Regardless of whether it is Sri Rama Sene or any other organization, what is the Supreme Court’s order about Hanuman Chalisa or the Azan? This should be understood and followed. The court has specified the permissible level of noise. Therefore, there is no need for these people to take the law into their hands in the guise of being ‘Hindu protectors’. Such topics do not require to be widely publicized. Nobody should do the work of setting fire to the otherwise harmonious society”, Kumaraswamy said.
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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.
