Priyank Kharge’s call to ban RSS activities on government premises sparks social media spat with BJP
Bengaluru: A political row erupted on social media after Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities on government premises, accusing the organisation of spreading divisive ideology through its programmes.
In his official letter, Kharge alleged that the RSS conducts ‘shakhas’ and gatherings in government schools, playgrounds, and temples, promoting an ideology that, he claimed, was unconstitutional and against the spirit of national unity. He urged the Chief Minister to prohibit RSS events on government property, asserting that such activities violate secular principles and undermine constitutional values.
Reacting to Kharge’s statement, the BJP Karnataka unit shared an old photograph of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attending an RSS event in Nagavara, Bengaluru, in 2002. Posting the image on its official X handle, the party wrote in Kannada, “Look here, @PriyankKharge! Your father personally visited the camp, appreciated the RSS’ social service activities, and extended full cooperation. Are you putting on an act today to impress the high command?”
Responding sharply, Priyank Kharge dismissed the post as BJP’s propaganda, clarifying that his father, then serving as Home Minister of Karnataka, had visited the venue only to ensure law and order during the RSS event.
“He had come with the then Police Commissioner of Bangalore City, Sri. Sangliana. If you recall correctly, he made it clear: either abide by the law of the land or be prepared to face the consequences,” the minister wrote on his personal X account on Monday.
Dear dimwits at @BJP4Karnataka, in case your memory fails you,
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) October 13, 2025
Sri. Kharge ji was the Home Minister at the time.
He visited the RSS event site after chairing a peace committee meeting with officials and representatives of all communities, to caution your people against… https://t.co/UJqZpgAQd6
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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.
