CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI ■ ■ kochi l tuesday l august 05, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late city EDITION Enough! India holds up a mirror to Trump’s hypocrisy J AYANTH J ACO B & D IPA K M ON D AL @ New Delhi IN a strong rebuttal to renewed US criticism on India’s trade with Russia, New Delhi on Monday accused Washington and its allies of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting, reminding them that it was the United States itself that once encouraged those very purchases to stabilise global markets. Ruling out any rethink on its energy trade with Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated: “Like any major economy India will take , all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security .” The sharp message came minutes after US President Donald Trump threatened to ‘substantially’ raise tariffs to punish India for its purchase and resale of Russian oil. Trump’s statement posted on Truth Social on Monday said: , “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Ma- chine... I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.” In its blistering response, India made it clear that such rhetoric smacks of geopolitical hypocrisy “India has . been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “But in fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe. The US at that time actively encouraged such imports to strengthen global energy market stability .” Jaiswal’s message was loud and clear that India will not be lectured. “India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market realities... However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves US continues to import uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers and chemicals from Russia. The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security —Ministry of External Affairs indulging in trade with Russia... Such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.” India listed hard numbers to underscore the double standards. The EU in 2024 had India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits... They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA — Donald Trump a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. It had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently European imports of . LNG in 2024 reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. Trump’s snooty remarks evoked a sharp reaction from Russia as well. “Washington is unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order... No tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history said Maria ,” Vladimirovna Zakharova, spokesperson of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. sirajmatazzheld high It’s final. Messi’s india Oval and out with head Min confirms TNIE in England Firoz Mirza @london T India celebrate England’s Jamie Overtone wicket in the fifth and final Test on Monday. Captain Shubman Gill (right) with the Player of the Series medal. Mohammed Siraj was adjudged Player of the Match | AP BJP alleges SDPI, Jamaat ‘infiltration’ in Church protests E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ T’Puram BJP state vice-president Shone George on Monday voiced concern over what he described as the “infiltration” of groups such as Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaate-Islami into protest prog rammes org anised by Churches in Kerala. Shone told TNIE that he had received clear evidence from trusted intelligence sources confirming the presence of these groups in the Church-led protests. Addressing a press conference, Shone alleged that elements of SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami had participated in protests held in Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Angamaly, Tiruvalla and Mananthavady in connection with the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh recently . Noting that these groups had previously targeted Christian churches and leaders, Shone said their sudden support for the Church was “not with good intentions”. He clarified that the BJP respected protests led by the Church, but warned that such infiltrations were “dangerous”. He said the BJP had taken a “humanitarian stance” on the ● More on P4 nuns’ issue.  EXPRESS READ Red alert for Thrissur, Ekm & Idukki today T’Puram: The IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall in the state on Tuesday due to the strengthening of the monsoon. A red alert has been issued for Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki, while an orange alert has been declared for the surrounding districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad and Malappuram. he Oval match was the story of the series. It reflected the ferocity with which it was fought. First Test, England win comfortably India re. turn the favour with same magnanimity Third Test, . England win but with quite an effort. India draw despite trailing by 311 runs in the fourth. It would have been a travesty for cricket had the last not gone to the wire. India won by the barest of margins — six runs. Series 2-2. The celebration in the middle was wild. It’s poetic that after carrying the burden of bowling in the series, Mohammed Siraj took the final wicket and finished with a fifer (four in first innings and 23 overall). There he stood celebrating like his football idol Cristiano Ronaldo. He admitted how he changed the wallpaper on his phone on Monday morning to inspire him on the field. The conditions early on favoured pacers and Siraj was right on the money With only . 35 runs to get, margin of error was thin. The crowd, like in all days thronged the stadium to witness one of cricket’s most enthralling finishes. India did not disappoint, either. Siraj in beginning of the series was in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. As a batter, he was the last to fall in the third Test at Lord’s. On Monday he was the archi, tect of a historic win. A lot was at stake for the two incredibly talented sides. No series has seen so many ups and downs or twists and turns as this one. If Harry Brook and Joe Root were regaling the audience with their artistry, Siraj enthralled with 25 deliveries he bowled out of 53. He had taken three out of four wickets that fell. And, of course, the adage of frontline bowler for India will be his to keep. As for now, it’s P11 Oval and out.  Movies produced under govt SC slams Rahul over scheme have won acclaim China land grab claim S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi being supported financially . Ruling out the possibility Even as renowned filmmak- of inefficient directors availer Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s ing these benefits, actor Maaremarks over extending a fi- la Parvathi said: “I have been nancial support of `1.5 crore part of the selection process to women filmmakers and of certain movies under the those from SC/ST communi- scheme. The filmmakers will ties have triggered a contro- have to go through at least versy, the achievements of four levels of selection procemovies made under dure, including script the scheme have set reading and an interoff discussions. view, before qualifyAs many as 10 films ing.” She also wonUnder the scheme, have been produced dered why training the filmmakers by the Kerala State should be given to inwill have to go Film Development dividuals who have through at least Cor poration (KSalready proven themfour levels of FDC) under the selves before a selection procedure, schemes — six by panel. including script Director Shruthy women and four by reading and an Sharanyam, whose filmmakers from the SC/ST communities. interview, before film B 32 Muthal 44 qualifying Vare was produced Of these, three films under the scheme — Nishiddho, B 32 Maala Parvathi, actor during 2021-22, said Muthal 44 Vare and there was no possibilVictoria — have won laurels at various national ity of money provided being a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l f i l m mishandled by filmmakers or other technicians. spaces. “The financial matters are Speaking at the film policy conclave on Sunday, Adoor often looked after by the KShad said that those from FDC officials, and hence, there scheduled caste backgrounds is no chance of the funds beshould be given at least three ing misused or filmmakers months of training under ex- indulging in corruption,” she ● More on P4 perienced filmmakers before told TNIE.  As w i n As o k K u m a r @ T’Puram KSFDC funding The ‘Women Cinema’ scheme began in 2019-20 The ‘Cinema of Directors belonging to the SC/ST Category’ scheme was launched later Two films each selected to both categories a year J1.5 crore for each film 10 films funded so far Never intended to hurt any community: Adoor T’Puram: Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has clarified that his remarks at the film policy conclave were never intended to hurt any community. “I support the intention behind giving a Rs 1.5-crore grant to SC/ST community members and others,” Adoor said. He said he spoke for the betterment of cinema and the best use of the opportunity provided by the government. P4 The Supreme Court on Monday castigated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments on China capturing Indian territory in the wake of the Galwan attack in 2020, adding if he was an “true Indian”, he wouldn’t have said it. “How do you (Rahul) get to know when 2000 sq km was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian will not say this. When there is a conflict across border, can you say all this? Why can’t you ask the question in Parliament?” asked a bench comprising justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih. The court, however, stayed further proceedings against him in a defamation case in Lucknow and fixed the matter for further hearing after three weeks. During the hearing, Justice Datta said, “just because you have 19(1)(a) you cannot say anything.” Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul, said: “If he can’t say these things which are published in the Press, he can’t be a leader of opposition... It is also Singhvi: It was about suppression of info Singhvi said that Rahul was only on the point of proper disclosure and raising concerns about the suppression of information possible that a true Indian will say that our 20 Indian soldiers were beaten up and killed and that it is a matter of concern.” The defamation complaint filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, the former Border Roads Organisation director, was pending in a Lucknow court. His petition said Rahul made the ‘derogatory’ remarks was on December 16, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. In May, the Allahabad High Court had rejected Rahul’s plea challenging the issuance of summons by an MP/ MLA court in Lucknow. The court said that freedom of speech and expression does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to the Indian Army . In its pushback later in the day, the Congress said every patriotic Indian has sought answers on China since the 2020 Galwan incident. Argentina not visiting Kerala E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @Kochi The uncertainty has ended, on a sour note. Superstar Lionel Messi and his Argentina team will not play in Kerala this year. Having reassured football fans several times over the past eight months that the world champions would play in Kerala, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Monday finally conceded that the much-hyped visit is not happening. While the Argentina Football Association has expressed willingness to consider the March 2026 window, the state government has decided not to accept that arrangement, the minister said. “What we agreed for was a match here in 2025. But in a recent communication, the AFA has breached the ag reement,” Abdurahiman told TNIE. He said the state government had reached an agreement with the AFA to have Messi and company playing in Kerala this October, the Argentine football body has conveyed that the deal is not possible anymore. “This has happened after the transfer of funds required in line with the agreement,” the minister said. He said the initial communication was made as the AFA sent an invoice via email, offering the October international break. “The agreement was made almost six months ago and we were awaiting clearances from the finance department, Reserved Bank of India, and the department of sports and youth Affairs. After that, we successfully transferred the funds. Last week, we received the communication indicating the postponement,” the minister said. Further, he said the state government has officially conveyed to the Argentina Football Association that a 2026 window ● More on P4 is unacceptable.  16 pages, including 4 pages of kochi Express Jan 11, 1944-aug 4, 2025 Shibu Soren and the soil-soaked struggle for self-rule V V P S h a r m a @ New Delhi S hibu Soren was an avatar to the Santhals of the Chhotanagpur plateau of the undivided Bihar. They called him Dishom Guru — the god of all 10 directions. In his younger days, his black locks, flowing beard and chiselled features mesmerised the tribals as much as they frustrated the Bihar Police, as he led a movement for tribal rights that saw a separate tribal state of Jharkhand carved from Bihar in his lifetime. At 81, Soren breathed his last in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital from kidney complications on Monday . Called Guruji by now, he became chief minister thrice, never able to complete a full term as politics or police cases disrupted his reign. He even went to Delhi as minister at the Centre, but as the years dragged on, and the health taking its toll, he hung up his boots and, succumbing to dynasty politics, handed over control of the party he cofounded, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), to his son, He- mant. The younger Soren is the current chief minister of a coalition with the Congress. Shibu Soren’s legacy is inseparable from the struggle for tribal rights in undivided Bihar. A Santhal, he grew up in an oppressive environment where politicians, landlords and usurers milked tribals of their dignity and displaced them from their hereditary forest dwellings, reducing them to literal slavery . Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays respects to Shibu Soren in New Delhi on Monday | PTI The angry young man decided to rebel and become the prophet of tribal identity. His target was the “diku”, an outsider in the tribal language. That could mean any of the many oppressors. His demand was for ‘jal, jungle, zameen’, water, forest, land, which the tribals considered their godgiven resources. The movement he birthed thus arose from generations of exploitation, dispossession and deprivation of tribals — he preferred ‘adivasis’ — till in the early 1970s it turned into a political struggle under the ban- ner of the JMM. It was headquartered in the hundreds of tribal villages, the tribal councils deciding agitational agendas, the Santhali folk songs arousing political passions. Soren nurtured the movement across the land. He would move from village to village on foot. He had nothing he could call his own except the clothes and chappals he wore. The villagers fed him, listened to him, and obeyed him blindly. He would explain to them facts of life they felt but could not express. Continued on: P8