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Nagpur: Ahead of Bakrid and Ashadi Ekadashi, NCP leader prints calendar with a goat and mosque on Shri Hari Vitthala’s image

OpIndia Staff
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Nagpur: Ahead of Bakrid and Ashadi Ekadashi, NCP leader prints calendar with a goat and mosque on Shri Hari Vitthala’s image

Opposition parties have been brewing controversies ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adah which falls on June 29, Thursday. In a calendar printed by an NCP leader in Nagpur, an image of a goat and a mosque has been superimposed on top of Shri Hari Vitthala’s image, which is a Hindu deity. Notably, the Hindu festival of Ashadi Ekadashi also falls on the same day as Bakri Eid this year.

The calendar has been reportedly printed by Nagpur NCP Chief Duneshwar Pethe who has issued a clarification on social media after it triggered an outrage. The BJP has demanded an FIR against Pethe saying that if action is not taken then it will stage protest.

The image of the goat imposed on Shri Hari Vitthala’s face also has a layer of design showing a mosque.

Shri Hari Vitthala is one of the most revered Hindu deities in Maharashtra and Karnataka by the Varkari community. He is the reincarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. And Ashadi Ekadashi is a widely celebrated Hindu holy festival. Considering the religious sensitivities of the people, why there was any scope for such a targeted mistake if at all it was one, is perhaps beyond any simple explanation.

The NCP leader, Duneshwar Pethe in a post on the social media platform Instagram expressed his regret.

He writes, “An inadvertent mistake has been made during the printing of the annual calendars with both festivals falling on the same day. It is not for the purpose of hurting anyone’s feelings. I express my regret if the Varkari devotees’ feelings have been hurt. It is certainly a serious matter, so it is a humble appeal to everyone to not do politics over the festivals.”

‘China engineered coronavirus as a bioweapon’: Wuhan Institute of Virology researcher says in an interview

ANI
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‘China engineered coronavirus as a bioweapon’: Wuhan Institute of Virology researcher says in an interview

A researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology has made astonishing claims about the coronavirus, saying the virus was engineered by China as a “bioweapon” and that his colleagues were given four strains of the virus to find out which could spread best.

Chao Shao, a researcher from Wuhan made these shocking revelations in an exclusive interview with Jennifer Zeng, a member of the International Press Association, who provides first-hand information and unique insights about China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In the twenty-six-minute interview, Chao Shao shares an anecdote of how another researcher Shan Chao from the Wuhan Institute of Virology admits that his superior gave him four strains of coronavirus and asked him to test and find out which one had the best ability to infect as many species as possible and also to find out how easy it was to infect other species including human.

Chao Shao also called the coronavirus a “bioweapons.”

He also mentions that several of his colleagues went missing during the 2019 Military World Games in Wuhan. Later, one of them revealed that they were sent to hotels where athletes from various countries were staying to “check the health or hygiene conditions.” Since checking hygiene doesn’t require virologists, Chao Shan suspected that they were sent there to spread the virus.

“Furthermore, in April 2020, Chao Shan said that he was sent to Xinjiang to check the health status of the Uyghurs who were imprisoned in the re-education camps so that they could be released sooner. Once again, since conducting health checks doesn’t require a virologist, he strongly implied that he was sent there to either spread the virus or to observe how the virus worked on humans,” tells Chao Shao in the interview.

The above shocking information was disclosed to the interviewee by Chao Shan himself during the period from March to April 2020.

However, as the whistleblower mentioned during the interview, this is just a small piece of the entire puzzle. So far, the true origin of the pandemic that has caused nearly 7 million deaths worldwide, or even more, is still under exploration.
The interview was conducted by Jennifer Zeng, a Chinese-born human rights activist and author.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Congress govt in Karnataka books BJP’s Amit Malviya for his criticism of Rahul Gandhi, who claims to fight for FoE, invokes 153A: What he had said

OpIndia Staff
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Congress govt in Karnataka books BJP’s Amit Malviya for his criticism of Rahul Gandhi, who claims to fight for FoE, invokes 153A: What he had said

On Wednesday, the Congress government in Karnataka filed an FIR against BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya for tweeting out his criticism against former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and his regular calls for foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.

The FIR has been filed under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 120b (criminal conspiracy), 505(2) (promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 34 (criminal conduct in pursuit of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code in Bengaluru’s High Grounds Police Station based on the complaint filed by Congress’s Ramesh Babu.

Hilariously, for criticism posted by Amit Malviya, the Congress government has booked him for ‘promoting enmity between groups’ and ‘promoting hatred between classes’. One has to wonder if Congress believes Rahul Gandhi is a ‘group’ or a ‘class’ unto himself and that any criticism of him deserves to be booked under such stringent laws. Interestingly, the Congress party has been pretending to fight for freedom of the press, speech and expression recently while shutting down criticism against their leader.

Malviya is said to be booked for allegedly posting a caricature video on Congress’s Rahul Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is dangerous and playing an insidious game,” the tweet posted by the BJP IT Cell Chief on June 17 read.

The video indicated that Rahul Gandhi was utilizing the International media to break India and downgrade its economic growth ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The video stated that Gandhi is trying to divide India by spreading the ‘minority hate narrative’ within the country and is using international media platforms to defame Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the global stage.

The 2:28 minute reel looked like a compilation of various anti-Modi, anti-India and anti-Hindu statements delivered by Rahul Gandhi on the global stage. He had refused to call India a ‘country’ and had said that India is a union of states. He also mocked the Hindu culture on the global platform during the inauguration of the New Parliament Building in India.

Rahul Gandhi recently visited the USA days ahead of PM Modi’s scheduled visit to the states and defamed PM Modi-led government and also mocked the Hindu culture. Addressing a gathering of Congress supporters in San Francisco, Gandhi had said that PM Modi was ignoring real issues and was busy inaugurating the New Parliament Building. He also mocked the pranaam that PM Modi had done to the Sengol, which holds great significance in the Hindu culture.

On several occasions in the past, Gandhi has also claimed on global platforms that the Indian democracy is in treat under the regime of PM Modi and that the ideas of a free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all were getting constrained. He has kept on claiming that India is not a safe place for minorities and that they are ‘persecuted’ in the country.

In March this year, he delivered a presentation at Cambridge University and lied saying that the Israeli spyware Pegasus was being used to monitor his phone by the Indian government. He launched one of his usual attacks on the Modi government and said that it was undermining the democracy of India.

Notably, on April 11, Gandhi was disqualified from his position as a Member of Parliament after his conviction in a defamation case. He was disqualified in accordance with Article 102(1)(e) of the Indian Constitution read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

Reportedly, the Congress party has several times in the past alleged that there is no freedom of speech inside or outside the Parliament. It had alleged that the Modi-government arrests those who speak against the BJP-led government. However, today it has filed a complaint against the BJP which also has the right and freedom to express and to speech.

Censor board directs ’72 Hoorain’ makers to remove Quran reference citing public order: Here are other cuts demanded for ‘unrestricted public exhibition’

OpIndia Staff
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Censor board directs ’72 Hoorain’ makers to remove Quran reference citing public order: Here are other cuts demanded for ‘unrestricted public exhibition’

On June 27, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) or the censor board refused to clear the ’72 Hoorain’ trailer for unrestricted public exhibition. In a letter to the filmmakers, the board directed to make four changes before it can issue an ‘A’ certificate making it suitable only for the views of ages 18 years and above. The trailer of the film was released digitally on June 28.

Following is the unedited trailer of the film.

Notably, The film was premiered under the Indian Panorama section at the 2019 International Film Festival of India (2019) in Goa. It received the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal Special Mention at the festival. Furthermore, director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan has already won National Award for Best Direction for the film in 2021.

As per the document accessed by OpIndia, the board has specifically asked the filmmakers to mute ‘Quran Ka’ from the trailer wherever it has been used. The board said it “demeans and denigrates religious (holy) text and may create issues related to public order and tranquillity”. Furthermore, the board has asked to provide verified information on the claim that the film is “inspired by true events” that were mentioned in the trailer at 53 seconds mark.

Censor board asked makers of ’72 Hoorain’ to mute ‘Quran Ka’ from the trailer.

The board also directed the makers to get a No Objection Certificate from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for depicting dogs at the 1 minute 59 seconds mark. In the fourth and last direction, the board asked to remove the visuals of the “blood-scarred amputated human foot” that was seen at the 47 seconds mark in the trailer.

Once the changes are done, the makers have been asked to submit it for review to issue the ‘A’ certification.

‘Quite funny and sad’ – makers shocked at the decision

Co-producer of the film Ashoke Pandit released a video statement on Instagram. He said, “It is quite funny and quite sad that a film that has won a national award, a film that has won an award at IFFI, the visuals are same that were there at the film [and] what is there in the trailer. On one side, you have given a National Award to the film; on the other, you are refusing the certificate to the film’s trailer. Therefore we appeal to Prasoon Joshi, the chairman of the CBFC, to pull up the people and ask for this funny decision which they have taken.”

Questioning restrictions on artistic expression in the film, he wrote, “Instances like the rejection of “72 Hoorain” raise questions about the boundaries of artistic expression. Hence, it becomes crucial to analyse the reasons behind this rejection and its implications for filmmakers’ creative expression. The trailer is poised to give a powerful glimpse into a gripping narrative of what goes on in the dark world of terrorism and the intense brainwashing of terrorists.”

Speaking to India Today, Pandit said the ministry and board are answerable to the public why the trailer was not allowed to be released. “The makers will now be releasing the trailer of “72 Hoorain” digitally on June 28,” he added.

Notably, the film is scheduled for release on July 7. Before the film’s release, the makers usually run the trailer in theatres to give a glimpse of what to expect from the movie. However, as the censor board has refused to issue the certificate, the makers cannot run it in the theatres before ongoing screenings and during intervals. Even if the board issues an ‘A’ certificate, the trailer of the ’72 Hoorain’ screening will be restricted to ongoing screenings suitable only for adults. A few weeks before the release of the film, troll account Team Saath ganged up against co-producer Ashoke Pandit and got his Twitter account suspended.

Controversy in Mumbai’s Mira Road society erupts after Muslim man gets two goats to his flat ahead of Bakrid, residents say won’t allow slaughter in society

OpIndia Staff
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Controversy in Mumbai’s Mira Road society erupts after Muslim man gets two goats to his flat ahead of Bakrid, residents say won’t allow slaughter in society

Massive controversy erupted in the capital city of Maharashtra after one of the Muslim families living in a society on Mira Road, Mumbai brought two goats a day ahead of Bakrid (Bakra-eid, Eid-Ul-Adha). The society members happened to refuse the Muslim family to get the goats inside the society premises and said that they won’t allow any kind of slaughtering activity within the society premises.

According to the initial reports, the controversy is said to have erupted on the evening of June 27. The residents of the society on Mira Road protested and opposed slaughtering of the goats within the society premises on Bakrid and also chanted Hanuman Chalisa. Some of the people also raised the slogans of ‘Jai Shree Ram’, the videos of which are going viral in the media.

According to reports, the residents saw a Muslim family getting two white goats in their apartment. They complained to the society officials who later asked the family to get goats out of the society premises. The Muslim family took the goats to their apartment after which probably the police were informed.

The Muslim family stated that the goats would not be sacrificed within the society premises. “We get the goats every year. But we never sacrifice them in the society,” the family is said to have claimed as per India Today.

Meanwhile, the police who reached the spot immediately tried to maintain peace and communal harmony. The Police assured the other residents in the society that no slaughtering would take place within the society premises. The police are also believed to have allowed the goats saying that there is no such rule or law against a man getting goats or animals into his house.

Why Muslims slaughter animals on Bakrid?

Muslims every year brutally slaughter livestock during the festival of Eid and believe that the tradition was first initiated by the Prophet Muhammed himself. They kill the animals and perform Halal and then distribute it amongst their family members and others.

As per the reports, in revere of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismaeel, as an act of obedience to God’s order, God intervened and provided an animal as a substitute sacrifice, leading to the celebration of Bakrid or Eid-ul-Adha. Muslims commemorate this day every year, honouring Allah via the sacrifice of an animal. It is a three-day event that begins on June 29th and comprises goat and sheep sacrifices as well as two-unit namaz.

Where are the freebies? Congress govt in Karnataka likely to hike water tariffs as well after hiking power bills

OpIndia Staff
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Where are the freebies? Congress govt in Karnataka likely to hike water tariffs as well after hiking power bills

Even as the people of Karnataka continue to suffer due to the recent power tariff hikes, the CM Siddaramaiah-led government is likely to raise water tariffs as well. Following an increase in electricity bills, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) intends to approach the government with a proposal to raise the water tariff.

The BWSSB supplies water to the city from three pumping stations: Harohalli, TK Halli, and Tataguni. The BWSSB uses electricity to pump water and deliver it to households, and it at present pays to the tune of eighty crores per month.

Given the increase in power tariffs, the BWSSB has submitted a proposal to the state government seeking an increase in the water tariff in order to efficiently handle its financial affairs.

The BWSSB deems raising revenue collection as the only means to cover the hike in power tariff.

Reportedly, BWSSB officials said that the increased power tariff will cost the department an additional Rs 10-12 crore per month. This burden, however, is likely to be passed on to customers, that is the common people soon. According to BWSSB officials, the water bill will likely increase by 12-15 percent to cover the increase in power tariff.

Meanwhile, Suresh B, chief engineer at BWSSB said, “The hike in power tariffs has burdened the water board as well. There is a chance of increase in the current bill by Rs 15 crore from the three pumping stations, we have to bear the bill. So we will have to raise our revenue collection. We have no other source. We are currently deliberating on the fact that raising the water tariff is the only viable alternative. The proposal on the rate will be discussed after we get direction from our chairman.”

DK Shivakumar, Karnataka deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister, recently met with BWSSB officials and hinted at a hike in water tariff, which have not been revised since 2014. Moreover, deputy CM Shivakumar has hinted at levying a garbage tax in Bengaluru. 

On the other hand, the Karnataka State Rice Millers’ Association (KSRMA) has recently indicated that rice prices in the state may be raised by three to four rupees per kilogram. “We are not the ones raising the price. The power tariff and paddy prices have both increased. The price hike will be three to four rupees per KG across all fine rice varieties,” KSRMA General Secretary S Shiva Kumar said.

Notably, on June 24, Karnataka Minister of Small-Scale Industries and Public Enterprises Sharanabasappa Darshanapur admitted that the guarantee schemes announced by the party will take a direct toll on the infrastructure development within the state. The Congress Minister stated that infrastructure development in the state would be affected to some extent during the first year of the Congress government in office. He claimed that this would happen because of the guarantee schemes launched by the Siddaramaiah government.

Previously, the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) announced a “bandh” on June 22. This decision came as a response to the sudden increase in electricity prices implemented by the electricity supply companies (ESCOMs).

Earlier, OpIndia reported that the energy costs and power tariffs in Karnataka have been increased by Rs 2.89 per unit in June despite Siddaramaiah’s state government’s free electricity pledge. Now the citizens will have to pay an additional Rs 2.89 per unit if their power usage exceeds the 200 units slab while paying the power bill.

Kerala: Muslims give a heroic reception to Banglore, Coimbatore blasts accused, Abdul Nasser Madani, with alleged links to LeT

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Muslims give a heroic reception to Banglore, Coimbatore blasts accused, Abdul Nasser Madani, with alleged links to LeT

On June 27, the Muslim community in Kerala awarded Abdul Nasser Madani a heroic reception in the presence of law enforcement officers. Madani who is the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the primary accused in the 1998 Coimbatore Blast Case and the 2008 Bangalore Serial Blast, which resulted in injuries of 200+ unarmed civilians and the death of around 58 innocent individuals.

Former cop spoke to Republic TV Bhaskar Rao said that the reception an accused terrorist got was ‘shameful’.

The PDP leader was brought to Kochi by a cavalcade of Bengaluru police accompanying him. Earlier on April 18, the Supreme Court modified Abdul Nasser Madani’s bail terms to let him stay in Kerala until July 8, 2023.

Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela Trivedi’s divisional bench had stated that this was associated with Madani’s own health problems. “As an interim measure, the applicant can visit Kerala for a period up to July 8, accompanied by Karnataka police escort and return in the same manner,” the bench was quoted as saying. 

Madani had applied to the top court for a waiver of his bail requirements so that he may travel to his native Kerala. The bench set the matter for July 10 after clarifying that Madani would be responsible for paying for the escort that the Karnataka police would provide.

The PDP leader on Monday left to board a 6 pm flight from Bengaluru and arrived at Cochin International Airport around 7 pm. Speaking to the media from the Bengaluru airport, Madani stated that the exact amount of money that he is supposed to pay to the Karnataka police for their security was yet to be ascertained. “The amount of money that is to be paid to the Karnataka police depends on our travels in Kerala in the next 12 days,” he said.

Madani also claimed that he is suffering from certain health issues. “My kidney is weak and I might have to undergo dialysis soon. I also suffer a stroke once in a while because of poor blood circulation in the brain. When the court allowed me to visit Kerala for a month in April, I was hoping I could get a medical check-up done and get proper treatment. But now, that is not possible,” he said.

Because of his role in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb bombings, Madani was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967, along with 31 other people. On July 25, 2008, a string of nine improvised bombs detonated close to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, inflicting one fatality and 20 injuries. Madani was detained as a result of the incident because he was suspected of being the mastermind of the explosions.

In 2009, two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were arrested from the Bangladesh border, and their interrogation revealed significant information about serial blasts in several cities in India, including the Bengaluru blasts. From this investigation, several Muslim youths were arrested, and Abdul Nasser Madani’s link with the blasts was revealed. He was arrested in August 2010 for his involvement in the blasts by Karnataka police.

Also, the February 1998 Coimbatore bombings case included Madani as an accused person. He was detained in connection with the case in March 1998, but ultimately acquitted in 2007.

As reported earlier, other than PDP, Madani had established Islamic Seva Sangh in 1989, which was banned in 1992 for its terrorist activities. He was also accused of fanning hatred following the Babri demolition, and alleged to have links with Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Journalist gets threats from Islamists after reporting on how some Madarsas refused to celebrate International Yoga Day even after circular from State: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Journalist gets threats from Islamists after reporting on how some Madarsas refused to celebrate International Yoga Day even after circular from State: Details

On June 26, founder of online news channel Headlines India Naveen Chauhan said in a Facebook post that he has been getting threats since the channel published an expose on a madrasa in Uttar Pradesh. In its report, Naveen Chauhan went to a madarsa in UP and showed how International Yoga Day was allegedly not celebrated despite a circular from the state government to all educational institutes.

In his Facebook post, Chauhan said, “I have been receiving threats for the last 24 hours. Few extremists have conspired against me. They have asked their followers to attack me whenever they see me. I am not scared. I will stick to my words”.

In a follow-up post on June 27, he wrote, “Mountain of threats has been received. But I was never scared, and I will never get scared. I was bold-faced and will remain the same.”

Threats and calls for boycott

Since the report went viral on social media platforms, Chauhan has received threats from Islamists. Two screenshots were shown in a follow-up report where they talked about the threats.

In the first screenshot, a Facebook user had urged his followers to do “khatirdari” of Chauhan if they see him. For those who are unaware, here, “khatirdari” means “beat up”, “attack”, or “cause physical harm” when used in this context.

Source: Headlines India video

In the second screenshot, a Facebook user who appeared to be a Maulvi urged his followers to keep a thick baton with them while giving an interview to Headlines India.

Source: Headlines India video

OpIndia scanned social media platforms and found a few posts indulged in attacking Naveen Chauhan. The videos also received abusive comments. Several posts used #bycotheadlinesnews hashtag.

A YouTube user who goes by the handle RazaHindustani9196 said, “Why should we celebrate Yog Diwas? These saffron terrorists forcefully enter everywhere. They should be aware that namaz is also a type of Yog. How many Hindus follow it?”

Source: YouTube

A Twitter user Masroof Rahimi said, “Naveen Chauhan is a blot of the name of journalism. Hindu-Muslim conflicts are happening because of journalists like you. Does any other religious place get raided like that? You have used a derogatory tone while talking to the principal of the madarsa.”

Another Twitter user Faheem Ahmed accused Headlines India of targeting particular religion. Tagging Saharanpur police and administration, he wrote, “Headlines India’s journalist Naveen Chouhan’s journalism is running by targeting a particular religion. It can create law and order problems in the city. I request you to please look into it.”

Twitter user Mohd Nijamudin accused Chouhan of instigating Muslims in the “Muslim area” and urged everyone not to give interviews to the channel.

Twitter user Anas Malik demanded his arrest.

Facebook user Choudhary Rizwan urged everyone to teach Chauhan a “lesson” and asked everyone to boycott him.

Headlines News exposed madarsa for not celebrating International Yoga Day

On June 21, Chouhan went to a local Madarsa to find out if the Islamic education institute was celebrating International Yoga Day or now. At the madarsa, when he questioned the principal or head of the institute, Nazim Nadvi, he got agitated first. One of the madarsa employees tried to snatch the camera from the cameraperson.

Later, Nadvi said that the senior students exercise daily. However, there were no special celebrations for the Yoga Day. He emphasised that there was no restriction on Muslim students against Yoga. When Chouhan questioned a few students, only one admitted to exercising in the morning, and the rest said they did not even know what International Yoga Day was.

The madarsa administration rushed to the spot where Chouhan was talking to students and allegedly signalled the students to go back to classes. One of the Maulvis at the madarsa said younger students were unaware as they do not participate in an exercise routine in the morning. A teacher at madarsa Mohammad Shahjahan claimed there was no difference between varjish and yoga. Children know it by the name “varjish”.

Towards the end of the report, a teacher called some senior students who did a few unsynchronised exercises in front of the camera, claiming exercise was part of their daily routine.

PM Modi congratulates Indian athletes for winning 202 medals at Special Olympics Summer Games in Berlin

ANI
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PM Modi congratulates Indian athletes for winning 202 medals at Special Olympics Summer Games in Berlin

 PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated the athletes who represented India at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Berlin and won 202 medals including 76 Gold Medals.

India finished the final day of the Games by taking their medal tally to 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze), with the last of the medals coming from the athletics track. “Congratulations to our incredible athletes who represented India at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Berlin and won 202 medals including 76 Gold Medals. In their success, we celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and applaud the perseverance of these remarkable athletes,” PM Modi tweeted.

The Special Olympics World Games 2023 came to a close here on Sunday, after an evocative, emotional, and triumphant closing ceremony at the Brandenburg Gate in the center of the city. The gate had served as a restricted zone when the city was divided by the Wall, and has, ever since been a beacon of unity- a fitting parable for a sporting event that celebrates unity, diversity, and special skills.

Indian athletes notched six medals from the track events (2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze). The headlines would undoubtedly go to the gold medallists Aanchal Goyal (400m, Level B Female) and Ravimathi Arumugam (400m, Level C Female) who blew away their competition to take the top of the podium. And yet, it is important to note that the colour of the medal is not in itself a judge of the performance. Saket Kundu, who had earlier grabbed a silver medal in the mini javelin Level B, also won a bronze in the Level B 400m, a rare double act in the track and field. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

All living American presidents are descendants of slave owners except Donald Trump: Report

OpIndia Staff
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All living American presidents are descendants of slave owners except Donald Trump: Report

The United States of America, one of the oldest democracies in the world, has had a history of slavery and oppression. Although slavery was abolished in the US with the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865 following the Civil War, the discussion around slavery still holds relevance.

In its investigative report, Reuters found that a fifth of all members of Congress, all living presidents except for former US President Donald Trump, Supreme Court justices, and governors are direct descendants of ancestors who enslaved Black people. 

According to Reuters, at least 100 members of the last Congress descended from slaveholders. More than a quarter of the Senate, or 28 members, can trace their ancestors back to at least one slaveholder.

President Joe Biden and every living former US president, with the exception of Donald Trump, are direct descendants of slaveholders— Jimmy Carter, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, and even Barack Obama, by way of his white mother’s side. Notably, Donald Trump’s ancestors immigrated to the United States after slavery was abolished.

Members of Congress from the 117th Congress who are descendants of slave owners include both Democrats and Republicans. They include Republican senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, and James Lankford, as well as Democrats Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, Jeanne Shaheen, and Maggie Hassan.

The report further states that in the year 2022, 11 of the 50 states in the United States had governors who were descendants of slaveholders. They include the eight chief executives of the Confederate States of America, which seceded and waged war for the preservation of slavery. Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, and Doug Burgum of North Dakota are both running for the Republican presidential nomination.

Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, two of the nine sitting US Supreme Court justices, have direct ancestors who enslaved people.

The Reuters report claims that none of the 118 leaders identified by Reuters denied that at least one of their ancestors enslaved people, but few were willing to discuss this subject. When they emailed the identified leaders to comment on their slaveholding ancestors, only a quarter of them opted to do so.

Representative Julia Brownley of California, a Democrat, was among those who responded after Reuters emailed her a document about her ancestor Jesse Brownley. Her ancestor enslaved three people in Portsmouth, Virginia, according to the 1850 census. One of them was an eight-year-old girl.

Interestingly, in 2021 it was reported that two of President Joe Biden’s ancestors owned three slaves. The revelation was made by genealogist Alexander Bannerman. 

Bannerman, who wrote the book found that Biden’s great-great-great-grandfather, Jesse Robinett, owned two slaves in Allegany County, Maryland, in the 1800 census.

According to Bannerman, Biden’s third-great-grandfather, Thomas Randle, owned a 14-year-old male slave in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1850, with the 1860 Census still showing Randle owning one person after the family migrated to another part of the county.

Juneteenth Day

The Reuters findings come at a time US President Joe Biden announced the celebration of Juneteenth Day on June 19. “I call upon the people of the United States to acknowledge and condemn the history of slavery in our Nation and recognize how the impact of America’s original sin remains. I call on every American to celebrate Juneteenth and recommit to working together to eradicate systemic racism and inequity in our society wherever they find it,” President Biden’s proclamation read.

The term Juneteenth, created by combining the words “June” and “nineteenth,” commemorates the day in 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and immediately after the Civil War, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. 

Despite freeing slaves in Confederate states, the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately put an end to slavery in territories controlled by the Confederacy, such as Texas. The arrival of Union troops in Galveston on June 19, 1865, led by Major General Gordon Granger brought the announcement of freedom to over 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state. Granger delivered the historic General Order No. 3 announcing the abolishment of legalized slavery in Texas. 

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