Podcast Specials

Russia withdrew its troops from the port city of Kherson after Ukrainian forces made significant military gains in the region. Is Russia’s retreat from Kherson a strategic move or a sign of weakness? We try and understand

Stand-up comic Vir Das's scheduled show in Bengaluru  on Thursday was cancelled. The cancellation came days after a right-wing organisation claimed that Das's show "hurts Hindu sentiments and presents India in a bad light". Is this a crackdown on comedy or a part of systematic onslaught on freedom of speech? Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde weighs in.

The UK High Court has ordered Nirav Modi's extradition to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering in the Punjab National Bank loan scam case. What is the significance of the UK court order? Supreme Court lawyer KV Dhananjay weighs in.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg on Thursday when his anti-government protest convoy came under attack in the eastern city of Wazirabad. Did Imran Khan dodge the bullet or was this merely a warning shot? Abdul Samad Yakoob, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s spokesperson weighs in. 

The air in the National Capital Region has remained dangerous for many decades with varying degrees of toxicity. This morning, the national capital recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 426. In this episode, we try to understand from a leading health care expert as to how polluted Delhi affects everyone. 

The Centre through Attorney General K Venkataramani conveyed to the Supreme Court on Monday that “the provision pertaining to sedition may change.” The Centre, he indicated in the court, is mulling bringing some changes in the law. Will 2023 see an end to the controversial sedition law?  We try and find out.

Implementation of a uniform civil code is in the BJP’s core agenda since the time its earlier avatar Jan Sangh was born in the 1950s. So, it should not come as a surprise that the BJP government in Gujarat has announced to form a panel to fulfill the party’s long-standing promise.

Many Indians are elated over the appointment of Rishi Sunak, a person of Indian origin as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. What impact will Rishi Sunak have on the UK-India relationship? We try and understand

The Russia-Ukraine war, which broke out in February this year, has taken a huge toll on both sides. Amidst this, Putin has often resorted to nuclear threats, sending the world into panic mode. Will his frustration and the inability to make quick gains drive him to use nuclear weapons? Listen in

After 24 years, Congress Party has elected a non-Gandhi as its president. Octogenarian Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's election as party president was a foregone conclusion from the very moment he threw his hat in the ring. Now, the big question is, does Kharge have what it takes to not only run the party but also ensure its rejuvenation? Listen in:

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s warning to sack state ministers has kicked up a fresh debate on whether the office of the Governor is vested with the constitutional power to dismiss a state minister. The warning has triggered a debate on the Governor's power to do so. Former Secretary General of Lok Sabha, P.D.T. Achary speaks...

Puran Krishan Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead by terrorists in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday. Is there no place for Pandits in the Valley despite the abrogation of Article 370 and the Centre’s repeated assurances to them about their honourable rehabilitation?  Former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, SP Vaid weighs in. 

The Supreme Court today delivered a split verdict in the Karnataka Hijab ban case. Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed appeals asserting the right to wear hijab in classrooms & upheld the ban. Differing with his brother judge, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia quashed the Karnataka government order banning the wearing of Hijab in classrooms.  What was the split verdict and what are its implications? Li...

Disturbing reports of hate crimes against Indians abroad have seen an uptick lately. Amidst this, USA and Canada issued advisories cautioning their citizens about travelling to India. In this podcast, we try to understand the racist slurs and hate crimes against Indians abroad and what the advisories really signify.

In reported incidents, Muslims were prevented from taking part in Garba events in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. In parts of Madhya Pradesh, Hindu extreme right-wing groups even checked the identity cards of people to ensure that Muslims did not enter Garba venues. Why should not people from all faiths attend Garba events? Listen in:

Om Raut's film ‘Adipurush’ starring Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Sanon is being targeted for alleged distorted depiction of Hindu deities.  Is the allegation of disrespect of the Hindu Gods yet another salvo fired in the current war against Bollywood? We try to find out. 

As India gets into the festive mode, it is well-advised not to forget that Covid is still around. Why must we not take the covid threat lightly even now? We try to understand from Dr Sitesh Roy.

With his Bharat Jodo yatra Rahul Gandhi seems to have enthused the Congress cadre, but, the party seems to have landed itself in a new mess over the election of its president. Why has it been so difficult for Congress to choose a party president? 

Mani Ratnam's latest film PS-1 has reignited interest in forgotten chapters of India's glorious history. Why did it take a movie to prompt interest in many to take a look at the longest-ruling empire in the southern regions of India? Listen in.

The practice of burning paddy-crop stubble in Punjab and Haryana is a major contributor to air pollution in north India, particularly in Delhi, in October and November. Why have the successive governments in Punjab and Haryana failed to curb stubble burning? We try to figure out.

The focus these days is on the Indian rupee which had been oscillating between 79-80 to the dollar since July this year. In early trade on Wednesday, the rupee plunged 40 paise to an all-time low of 81.93 against the dollar. What should the government do? Listen in.

A 15-year-old Dalit student died of injuries after he was allegedly beaten up by his teacher in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. What drives teachers to beat students? We try and decode.

19-year-old girl Ankita Bhandari was brutally murdered in Uttarakhand by Pulkit Arya, son of state BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two of his staff members. The resort owned by the BJP leader’s son was demolished by the authorities before the investigation concluded. Did the police exhibit unwanted hurry in razing the resort? Listen in.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s latest Muslim outreach comprised a visit to a mosque in Delhi and a meeting with its chief cleric. Given the highly polarised communal situation in the country, what are the implications of Mohan Bhagwat’s Muslim outreach for Hindu–Muslim amity?

The Supreme Court Wednesday called the visual media the “chief medium of hate speech” and questioned the government why it is “standing by as a mute witness when all this is happening” and treating it as “a trivial matter.”