Podcasts about The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Sadaf Modak about the 2006 murder case of Congress leader Pavanraje Nimbalkar. She shares the recent developments in the case according to which eight people who had been accused have been acquitted. She talks about the decision, the reasons behind it and more.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Devansh Mittal about the draft Electric Vehicle policy 2.0 of the Delhi government and its proposal to ban the registration of new petrol and diesel powered two-wheelers from April 2028. (17:02)Lastly, we discuss why current and former employees of the National Skill Development Corporation have come under scrutiny. (26:32)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines if the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Sweety Kumari about the controversy in West Bengal after several Trinamool Congress leaders accused of crimes were publicly paraded by the police, prompting criticism from the Calcutta High Court even as many locals appeared to support the crackdown.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Alok Deshpande about the fresh crisis within Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, after six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs came under speculation of defecting, raising questions about the party's future and the latest chapter in the Sena's long history of internal rebellions. (13:50)And in the end, we look at the NEET-UG retest conducted after the original examination was cancelled over a suspected paper leak, the extraordinary security arrangements put in place, and the anxiety it has caused among lakhs of students and their families. (27:50)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda, and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Recently, the Ministry of Health released the findings of the latest National Family Health Survey, the country's largest health survey. The survey significantly helps us understand what indicators related to issues like hypertension, obesity, cancer, women's and children's health reveal about the country's health.While the survey points to significant gains across several health indicators, it also leaves out some crucial statistics that have raised concerns among public health experts.In today's episode, we will be decoding the survey with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt, who will share deeper insights into the improvements, the missing elements, and health issues that still remain pertinent among the Indian population.Hosted by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

This episode is part of our special series on the India AI Impact Summit, examining the conversations, decisions, and debates that are shaping global AI governance. Professor Ravindran addresses early on the perception that the India summit sidelined safety. More than 60% of the summit's events and discussions were focused on safety, trust, and cross-border collaboration. The framing shifted, and deliberately so. When the summit came to the Global South, leading with existential risk, rather than the very real opportunity AI presents to improve healthcare, education, and public services for hundreds of millions of people, would have been the wrong entry point. The two key deliverables from his working group reflect that balance: the Trusted AI Commons, a repository of benchmarks, testing protocols, and best practices designed for AI deployment in resource-constrained settings, and a high-level governance guidance note endorsed by 22 countries, that calls out the issues every national AI policy should address without being prescriptive enough to limit how different countries approach it. On frontier risks, Professor Ravindran notes that the landscape has shifted in ways that would have seemed speculative even a year ago, and that the frameworks being built to manage these risks will need to keep pace with that change. He also reflects on what the growing concentration of the most capable AI models means for countries like India, and why that conversation may need to move from being a company-to-country dialogue to a country-to-country one. His overall view is one of cautious optimism: there will be disruption in the short term, but there will also be a new equilibrium, and the work is to make sure the transition is managed well.Episode Contributors Professor Balaraman Ravindran heads the Department of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras. He is also the Founding Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and AI (RBCDSAI), and Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras. He has more than three decades of experience working in reinforcement learning, and his research interest spans responsible AI and deep RL.  Nidhi Singh is an associate fellow at Carnegie India. Her current research interests include data governance, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Her work focuses on the implications of information technology law and policy from a Global Majority and Asian perspective. She has previously contributed to the Indian Express, The Secretariat, Medianama and HinduBusiness Line. Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Vidheesha Kuntamalla about a US District Court ruling that struck down the Trump administration's proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, and what the decision means for Indian professionals and students who rely on the programme. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Ishika Gupta about Mumbai's growing premium bus network, why more commuters are willing to pay for guaranteed seats and predictable travel times, and what this shift says about the city's broader transport challenges. (10:30)And in the end, we look at the latest developments in the US-Iran conflict, as President Donald Trump warns that military strikes could resume if a tentative peace agreement collapses, even while G7 leaders back the emerging deal. (16:35)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Fatherhood plays a vital role in a child's emotional, social, and psychological development. Sometimes just showing up makes your child feel safe and seen. And children thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued by their fathers. As part of our ongoing collaboration with Mobile Creches, The Indian Express brings you a Father's Day Special episode featuring Nikhil Taneja, Co-Founder and CEO of Yuvaa, a youth media and impact organization. Nikhil works at the intersection of youth, storytelling, and mental health. He also runs a page called BeADadYaar for talking about his relationship with his beautiful 15 month old daughter. In this conversation, we will hear a father's perspective on what it means to be there for your child. We will focus on how a father's emotional availability can profoundly impact a child's emotional well-being, teaching them how to navigate feelings and build healthy relationships.Hosted and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarFirst episode in association with Mobile Creches:https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/mobile-creches-international-day-of-play-early-childhood-development/10733781/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about a brain-eating amoeba which is causing cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in Kerala. While the state saw just eight cases of the infection from 2016 to 2023, cases surged in the last two years. And in the last five months of this year alone, the cases in Kerala rose to 133 and 33 deaths. Anonna talks about the infection, the symptoms and what precautions to take. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Ravi Dutta Mishra about the challenges being faced by Indian exporters due to the war in West Asia. He shares how opportunistic pricing practices by foreign shipping lines, along with additional charges imposed by port authorities are impacting the exporters and even after a potential deal between the US and Iran, the issues could continue for sometime. (10:12)Lastly, we give an update on The Indian Express' report about the iconic Dancing Girl artefact of Mohenjodaro, which was covered up in a new NCERT Class 9 Arts Education textbook and the NCERT's response. (20:04)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarFirst episode in association with Mobile Creches:https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/mobile-creches-international-day-of-play-early-childhood-development/10733781/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Mohamed Thaver about yet another comedy show controversy, after a crowd-work clip from comedian Pranit More's live performance triggered backlash, disciplinary action against audience members involved, and even an FIR by Maharashtra Cyber.Next, The Indian Express' Sophiya Nathew talks about Delhi's water crisis, after residents in several parts of South Delhi reported foul-smelling, contaminated water and fresh questions were raised about ageing pipelines, leaks and urban pressure on the city's infrastructure. (14:00)And in the end, we take a look at NCERT's new Class 9 arts textbook, where a digitally altered image of the iconic Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro has sparked a debate over censorship and how history is being presented to students. (27:00)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Raakhi Jagga about farmers' protests being staged in five Indian states: Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. She shares that the protests stem from a shortage of fertilisers that are required for the paddy season. She discusses the reasons behind this, how it will impact the paddy and more.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about the newly inaugurated Mrinaltai Gore flyover in Mumbai. Videos of the flyover are going viral showing gravel and uneven spots on it. Pratip shares the reasons behind it, what these videos show and mean and what can be expected going forward. (12:12)Lastly, we discuss the turmoil within the Trinamool Congress and the rift developing in the party. (17:59)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the deaths of three Indian sailors aboard MT Settebello after a US strike near the Strait of Hormuz, and what the incident means for India as a close strategic partner of the United States with thousands of citizens working in the region.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sukalp Sharma about the Centre's Rs 10,000 crore support package for oil marketing companies, how it is intended to stabilise jet fuel prices, and whether it can offer meaningful relief to Indian airlines grappling with rising costs and disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. (11:00)And in the end, we look at the latest escalation in the US-Iran conflict, after President Donald Trump threatened fresh strikes on Tehran and announced plans to take over Iran's key oil export hub at Kharg Island, before later signalling that a broader peace deal may be close. (20:00)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar​

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

The period from birth to age six is very crucial for a child's growth. What happens in these years at home, at the creche, in the community, determines the trajectory of a child's entire life. This is when early childhood development takes center stage.The Indian Express in association with Mobile Creches brings to you a five part series, where we are going to have insightful conversations with experts of the field and discuss what it actually takes to accelerate early childhood development.Today, 11th of June is celebrated as the International Day of Play, so on this occasion, we discuss how through play, children learn problem-solving, creativity, communication, and teamwork skills in a natural and enjoyable way.In this episode, we will be joined by Rani Rampal, former captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team and recipient of India's three highest sporting honours — the Khel Ratna Award, the Padma Shri, and the Arjuna Award and Sumitra Mishra, Chief Executive Officer at Mobile Creches.Hosted and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about the controversy surrounding Khan sir. Khan sir is one of the most popular educators and Youtubers in India, but recently his institute in Patna was allegedly attacked and vandalized. While the investigation was going on regarding the same, a FIR was also filed against Khan sir himself.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Aditi Raja who shares the story of a tribal village in Gujarat where two pregnant women have died due to the lack of a constructed road. The village remains disconnected due to its tough terrain despite the state government promising them that a road will be constructed so that ambulances can reach the villagers. (10:43)Lastly, we talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister in India's history, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office. (23:31)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Atri Mitra about the deepening rebellion within the Trinamool Congress, where a large group of MLAs and MPs have challenged the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee, raising questions about the party's future after its electoral defeat in West Bengal.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about India's solar power transition, the progress of flagship schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM, and the challenges that continue to limit their implementation on the ground. (10:25)And in the end, we look at an SFIO report that alleges Veena T., daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, received Rs 2.78 crore in consultancy payments for work investigators say was never carried out, a finding that is now central to an ongoing money laundering probe. (24:15)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Drishti Jain about the Cockroach Janta Party's first protest, which took place on Saturday. She shares how things unfolded, the movement's founder Abhijit Dipke's return to India, how he and the other leaders led the protest, their demands, the people, especially students who gathered in support and more.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about India's relations with Nepal and how things are changing now that they have a new political generation. He shares the details of Nepal's ruling party chief Rabi Lamichhane visit to India which was followed by a visit by  Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and the bilateral talks that occurred during these visits. (14:38)Lastly, we talk about a tragic incident where at least nine workers were killed in an accident at a steel plant in Andhra Pradesh. (26:00)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarTo know more about the Cockroach Janta Party, listen here - https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/the-stray-dog-issue-cockroach-janta-partys-rise-and-tiger-attacks-in-mp/10707771/ 

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/asian-american-studies

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Pragynesh about the deadly fire at a bed-and-breakfast in Delhi's Hauz Rani that killed 21 people, and how the tragedy has exposed alleged fire safety violations, illegal construction, and regulatory failures across the city's guesthouse sector.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about the Rajkot maternity hospital CCTV case, where footage of female patients was allegedly recorded and sold online, leading to multiple arrests and the rare application of cyberterrorism charges. (15:25)And in the end, we look at growing strains within the INDIA bloc ahead of a key meeting in Delhi, with the DMK staying away amid tensions over Congress's alliance decisions in Tamil Nadu and disagreements among several opposition partners. (27:10)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

This episode features a conversation with Prachi and Ram, organizers with Savera, a multiracial, interfaith, anti-caste coalition of Indian Americans and partners standing together in the fight against the rise of the transnational far right. After laying out Hindu supremacy as an ideology, we considered the different phases of consolidation of the Hindu right in the United States from its late 20th century orientation around homeland politics to its 21st century effort to forge a Hindu American identity, first through an alignment with U.S. civil rights organizations and then through a realignment with white supremacist forces. We delved more deeply into the role of caste within this formation, in particular the longstanding efforts of the Hindu right in both India and the U.S. to forge Hindu unity by opposing anticaste politics. This took us to a discussion of the Hindu right's embrace of the pro-Israel lobby's tactics, especially its weaponization of Hinduphobia as an echo of the weaponization of antisemitism, to battle criticisms of the Modi government in India, and the need to distinguish this from the real rise in both anti-Hindu and antisemitic sentiment. We ended with Savera's efforts to forge a broad-based antiracist, left majority as a counterweight to the multiracial far right. Read the transcript Guests Prachi Patankar is a writer and activist based in New York. Her speaking and organizing is grounded in feminist, anti-caste, and solidarity commitments. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Women's Studies Quarterly, and Jacobin. She has been interviewed in media including Democracy Now, Jewish Currents, and National Public Radio. Ram Vishwanathan is an organizer with the Savera coalition based in New York City. References Savera, “The Global VHP's Trail of Violence,” January 2024. Savera, “Cut From the Same Cloth: the VHP-A's Ties To Its Indian Counterpart,” April 2024. Savera and Political Research Associates, “HAF Way to Supremacy: How the Hindu American Foundation Rebrands Bigotry As Minority Rights,” October 2024. Jyotiba Phule: an anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. Satyashodhak Sangh: a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Maharashtra in 1873 that addressed caste and gender injustices. Golwalkar: M.S. Golwalkar was the second supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing paramilitary organization that advanced the ideology of Hindu supremacy and mobilized around the transformation of India into a Hindu nation. Pracharak: refers to a full-time organizer of the RSS. Houston 2019: “Howdy Modi” was an event organized by the Texas India Forum to welcome Narendra Modi to Houston and featured a joint address by Modi and Donald Trump. Ahmedabad 2020: designed as a reciprocal counterpart to Howdy Modi, “Namaste Trump” was an event organized to celebrate Donald Trump's official state visit to India and hosted by Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Article 370: article of the Indian Constitution that granted a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This status was abrogated by the Modi government in 2019. CAA/NRC: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are policies introduced by the Modi government. The 2019 CAA fast-tracks the naturalization of populations identified as victims of persecution by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and explicitly excludes the eligibility of Muslims. The 2019 NRC aims to create an official record of legal citizens of India. Critics and human rights organizations argue that the policies together discriminate against Muslims. If a nationwide NRC is implemented, individuals who lack the required documentation to prove their citizenship could be excluded from the final registry. Because the CAA allows non-Muslims to claim citizenship if they fall through the cracks, Muslims left off the NRC list would face disproportionate risks of statelessness, detention, or deportation. Edward Blum: a conservative legal strategist and the president of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization that fought to overturn affirmative action on the grounds that it constitutes "reverse discrimination" against white and Asian applicants. Dan HoSang: professor of American Studies at Yale University. “Violent Majorities: Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism,” Recall this Book/New Books Network, Episodes 118, 119, 120, 143, 144, 145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Nayonika Bose about Maharashtra's new Marathi language requirement for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, and how thousands of migrant workers in Mumbai are balancing long shifts with language classes to keep their permits.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Aditi Raja about the debate over how the Ahmedabad Air India crash site should be remembered, after the Gujarat government announced plans to redevelop the damaged BJ Medical College hostel blocks while families of victims seek a memorial at the site. (13:00)And in the end, we look at a government-commissioned review of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which found that funds intended to help rural women start small businesses were often diverted toward immediate household expenses instead. (20:50)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Jay Mazoomdar about a mining project recently exempted by the Maharashtra government from wildlife clearance because it does not fall in any tiger corridor. However, the map submitted by the company to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forests stated otherwise. He talks about the project, the importance of clearances, and more.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about Bihar's alcohol ban and its impact on the state in the last decade. He shares the improvements, but also discusses unintended consequences, such as other substance abuse and a major rise in the consumption of codeine-based cough syrups as a substitute.  (12:08)Lastly, we talk about a tragic incident where a deadly fire at a bed and breakfast in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar killed 21 people. (19:58)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Every winter, as Delhi's pollution levels peak, the conversation tends to focus on the same culprits: vehicles, construction, and garbage burning. But one of the biggest contributors to the city's pollution crisis—one that remains with us throughout the year—barely gets discussed: dust.A year-long Indian Express investigation examined road dust in Delhi and tracked the movement of the city's Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs), its primary defence against dust pollution. The findings reveal serious gaps in coverage and a fleet far smaller than what experts recommend. In this episode, we speak to The Indian Express' Sophiya Mathew and Drishti Jain, who led this investigation for the paper.To find out whether your zone has been cleaned by MCD's sweeping machines, click here.Hosted and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Chief of National Bureau Sandeep Singh and investigative journalist Ritu Sarin about a global investigation into VFS Global, the visa services giant that processes millions of Schengen visa applications, and the concerns raised over optional paid services, privacy, and data protection practices.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the Quad's latest initiatives on maritime surveillance, critical minerals, energy security, and port infrastructure, and how the grouping is seeking to reduce dependence on China while strengthening coordination in the Indo-Pacific. (13:40)And in the end, we look at K Annamalai's decision to step down from the BJP, and what his exit could mean for Tamil Nadu politics at a time when actor-turned-politician Vijay is reshaping the opposition landscape. (24:10)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about the Supreme Court upholding the legality of the Special Intensive Revision process. She talks about the judgement, why the SIR was challenged in the first place and what it means for the people whose names have been deleted from the electoral rolls.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Vidheesha Kuntamalla about the CBSE's newly launched On-Screen Marking system for the class 12 board examinations. She details how the system works, why the CBSE opted for online checking and the controversy that surfaced due to discrepancies pointed out by the students. (18:39)Lastly, we discuss the collapse of a building in South Delhi's Saket which killed four people and injured ten. (30:33)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Sohini Ghosh about the Delhi Gymkhana Club eviction row, why the Centre has asked one of Delhi's oldest elite institutions to vacate its Lutyens' premises, and how a parallel rent dispute has complicated the standoff.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Jayprakash Naidu about the worsening drinking water crisis in Riwa village near Raipur, where residents continue to struggle for water despite the promises of the Jal Jeevan Mission. (15:40)And in the end, we look at the latest chapter in the collapse of Byju's, after founder Byju Raveendran was sentenced to six months in jail by a Singapore court over non-compliance with disclosure orders. (21:55)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about a case where the Supreme Court allowed a 15 year old girl to terminate a 30 week pregnancy. She highlights what stands out in the case and how the role played by the government in such cases is changing. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Science Editor Amitabh Sinha about increasing heatwave conditions and how it is leading to warmer nights. Higher nighttime temperatures pose higher risks to human health. Amitabh shares why this is happening and why it is risky. (14:52)Lastly, we discuss an Enforcement Directorate raid on former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in connection with a money laundering case. (26:34)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headline sof the day by The Indian Express

After the latest round of state elections, India's political landscape looks more lopsided than at any time in the post-2014 era. The BJP claimed big wins in West Bengal and Assam—continuing its march across eastern India and solidifying its status as a hegemonic party. But politics at home is only part of the story.  Overseas, India is facing a turbulent moment—from the Iran war and Pakistan's diplomatic resurgence to Trump 2.0's approach to China and the uncertain future of the Quad.  To talk about the BJP's dominance, the opposition's crisis, and India's positioning in a rapidly shifting world, Milan is joined this week by Grand Tamasha regulars, Sadanand Dhume and Tanvi Madan.  Sadanand is a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a regular columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  Tanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. The trio discuss whether India is becoming a “one-party state,” the current state of the opposition, and the headwinds facing the Indian economy. Plus, the three discuss Pakistan's diplomatic moment, Trump's recent China trip, and Marco Rubio's visit to India. Episode notes: Sadanand Dhume, “Why Would Anyone Trust Pakistan to Mediate With Iran?” Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “India's Ruling Party Beats the Odds,” Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2026. Sadanand Dhume, “Pakistan Has Put Itself Back on the Diplomatic Map,” Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2026.  [Audio] “Flash Episode: India's 2026 Elections Explained (with Yamini Aiyar and Neelanjan Sircar),” Grand Tamasha, May 8, 2026.  Tanvi Madan, “India's China Strategy in an Uncertain Strategic Environment,” in Milan Vaishnav, ed., India and a Changing Global Order: Foreign Policy in the Trump 2.0 Era (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2026)  [Video] “Udit Misra Explains | Forex Fears? What PM Modi's Big Appeal Actually Says About India's Economy,” Indian Express, May 12, 2026.  “From UP to Karnataka: Six Routes Around the 1991 Places of Worship Act,” The Wire, May 17, 2026.  

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Naveed Iqbal about Jammu and Kashmir's intensified anti-drug campaign and how the crackdown is expanding beyond arrests to measures such as passport cancellations and property demolitions.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Ishika Gupta about Mumbai's recent demolition drive in Garib Nagar, where hundreds of structures, including two mosques, were razed by railway authorities, triggering protests, clashes, and questions over rehabilitation. (11:11)And in the end, we look at the alleged mass wedding scam in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district, where dozens of men arrived as grooms for a collective marriage ceremony, only to discover that the promised brides never existed. (23:50)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express