News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (March 21, 2026 - March 27, 2026) March 27, 2026 16 Cover Story I ndian Americans made a valiant effort to keep Illinois’ Congressional District 8 in the hands of the com- munity in the March 17 Democratic primary. They did not succeed. They were try- ing to replace long time incumbent Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who gave up the seat to make a bid for the US Senate. He lost in that primary to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. There were 3 Indian American can- didates out of 8 Democrats running in the March 17 primary for the US House of Representatives – Junaid Ahmed, Neil Khot, and Sanjyot Dunung. Ahmed made the best showing garner- ing 26.7 percent of the vote to winner Melissa Bean’s 31.8 percent, according to results posted on Ballotpedia. Khot secured 6.7 percent, and Dunung 2.5 percent. On his campaign site junaidforus. com, Ahmed says his story is the story of millions of immigrants – his dad came in search of a better life for his children, working double shifts if needed, to give them a good education. Ahmed attended City Colleges and then DePaul, all the while working full- time. He also earned a Masters in Busi- ness Administration while working at the Chicago Stock Exchange. Entrepreneurship was his passion and expertise, and he started 2 tech com- panies, first in 2007 and then in 2013. His company employs 20 people and serves clients ranging from startups to national security agencies. “ One of the innovations I’mmost proud of is an early data-analytics system I helped create for UPS and U.S. Customs that flagged suspi- cious packages…. Before 9/11 changed everything.” During Covid, Ahmed started a non- profit to feed people, and Chi-Care has grown and is expanding to build a transi- tional shelter for those in need. Numerous top Democrats endorsed Ahmed, a progressive Democrat, includ- ing Senators Bernie Sanders and Eliza- bethWarren, numerous Representatives like Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna, as well as Alexandria Ocacio Cortez. This, apart from several progressive organiza- tions. Upon losing his bid, ahmed posted the following on Instagram- “Last night’s result is not what we hoped for, but I could not be more proud of the movement we built together. From the beginning, this campaign stood up to the powerful interests that too often dominate our politics and together we built a grassroots coalition of volunteers, organizers, workers, students, and fami- lies who believe our government should fight for working people. To everyone who knocked doors, made calls, donated what they could, and believed in this campaign, thank you. While this primary may be over, our work continues, and the energy and solidar- ity we built together will carry forward as we build a more affordable, just, and democratic future.” Junaid Ahmed, Candidate For US House From Illinois’ 8th District Outpeforms Other Indian Americans In Democratic Primary By Ela Dutt Banner photo on campaign site of Junaid Ahmed. AMarch 10, 2026 announcement of virtual meeting during last days of Junaid Ahmed’s campaign. PHOTO:@JUNAIDFORUS.COM PHOTO:@JUNAIDFORUS.COM Congressman Thanedar Introduces Resolution To Censure Colleague For ‘Bigoted’ Rhetoric Against Muslims E arlier this month (March 12), Democratic Con- gressman Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan) introduced a resolution to censure Republican Congressman Andy Ogles for “spewing hatred and bigotry” toward Muslim Americans and “disrespecting” America’s diversity. The resolution would also remove Ogles from the Homeland Security Committee, of which both he and Thanedar are members. Ogles recently tweeted, “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” “Pluralism is a lie,” and “Muslims are unable to assimilate.” “Congressman Ogles’ disgusting and bigoted words have no place anywhere in our country, let alone from a member of Congress,” said Rep. Thanedar in the press release. “His words incite hatred against millions of Muslim Americans. They disrespect the values of freedom of religion that our country was founded upon and are fundamentally un-American. I’m introducing a resolu- tion to censure him for his disgraceful remarks, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in standing up against bigotry and hatred.” The full text of the resolution is available here. In June of last year, Ogles referred to Zohran Mam- dani as “Little Muhammad” and urged Donald Trump to deport him, Thanedar said. In response, Congressman Thanedar introduced a resolution to censure Ogles for those remarks as well. PHOTO:THANEDAR.HOUSE.GOV Congressman Shri Thanedar at a Michigan Heroes event. By a StaffWriter US Affairs