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Trumpism’s first innocent victim

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Srinivas Kuchibhotla (left) and Alok Madasani

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Indian techie shot dead, his friend badly injured in Kansas bar hate killing

By Sujit Bhar

How the social fabric in the US has changed with President Donald Trump’s vitriolic tirade against immigrants and even his fight against H1B visas for technically skilled immigrants was evident in the shooting down of an Indian techie in Olathe, Kansas on February 22 night.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, engineers from India, worked at a tech company called Garmin, dealing in GPS technology, and were considered “top-of-the-class types” by their boss. Their only fault was being present at the restaurant at the same time when Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old American army veteran-turned tech worker, was around, drinking and hurling racial abuses. Purinton was shouting: “Get out of my country.”

The result of the inescapable confrontation, in which the two Indians were supported by Ian Grillot, an American, was that Purinton left for his home, returned with a gun and fired on the Indians. Kuchibhotla (32) died, while Madasani and Grillot were injured. Purinton, the coward that he obviously is, fled the scene.

The situation has gotten so out of hand that there is little fear or remorse among these semi-literate cowards in American society today. Purinton fled the scene of his shooting and landed at an Applebee’s restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, about 90 miles away some hours later. There, he confessed to the bartender, who reiterated later that Purinton had told him “he had killed two Middle Eastern men” and was looking for a place to hide.

The bartender had the sense to call the police and Purinton was taken into custody. He has been charged with premeditated murder and two counts of attempted murder.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1487937838202{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1487937879550{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}”]The Indian victims

Srinivas Kuchibhotla: A graduate of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad; masters degree in electrical and electronic engineering, University of Texas, El Paso, 2007. First job: Software engineer at Rockwell Collins, then to Garmin International.

Alok Madasani: Graduated from Vasavi College of Engineering, Hyderabad. Masters from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Aviation program coordinator at Garmin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The scenario has created reverberations of fear, protest and disgust. Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted: “We will make all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of Srinivas Kuchibhotla to Hyderabad.”

Condemning the shooting, the US embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Mary Kay Carlson in New Delhi said in a statement: “The United States is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study and live. US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, though we recognize that justice is small consolation to families in grief.”

Yes, it is small consolation. It is also a situation in the US today that is getting more and more recognition around the world: a situation where intolerance is being bred among the illiterate and semi-literate extreme right wing masses, who cannot even tell the difference between citizens of a “Middle Eastern” country and highly educated and skilled Asian people who have added hugely to American wealth.

These are possibly direct fallouts of Trump’s weird and whimsical decisions, starting from the H1B Act that has raised the minimum salary package to US $ 130,000 and done away with Masters Degree exemption, to the travel ban (which was halted by federal courts but is expected to come back as a different avatar). It also reflects Trump’s hatred for stricter gun laws and its outcomes.

The bile today starts at the President’s Oval Office, trickling down to the common man, who doesn’t know any better. This regressive attitude of the administration can result in a huge section of the super high-tech industry of the country shifting focus to more favourable climates. Already Canada has shown interest in setting up its own version of Silicon Valley and Mexico has indicated that Indian techies were welcome there.

Indian tech companies have to readjust. If they can adjust with a haircut that will bring down their foreign income from over 60 percent from the US to a lot less (possibly upping their domestic commitments, as Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani has suggested), the overall dependence on US will decrease.

If the US is bent on its isolation from the global village, the globe will have to readjust and this will not benefit the Trump administration. World commerce will not exist in a vacuum.

Apart from IT, there are hundreds of thousands of highly educated Indians in other H1B field: Pharmaceuticals, teaching, robotics, etc. These, too, will be affected.

Howsoever much the lure of lucre, it cannot override personal safety, safety of family and a level of self worth and respect that is developed through education and proper upbringing. The final say, unfortunately, does not lie with the US.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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