In this episode of Bharatvaarta, host Sharan engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Professor Goutham Desiraju from the Indian Institute of Science. The discussion revolves around Professor Desiraju's follow-up book on the delimitation of states in India, a pressing and contentious topic in contemporary Indian politics. The conversation addresses the need for equal value of votes across different constituencies, the historical and political context of the delimitation freeze, and the implications of reconfiguring state boundaries. Professor Desiraju provides a comprehensive analysis of how delimitation, if done scientifically and fairly, can help India become a more balanced and prosperous democracy. The episode also touches on the broader themes of governance, the effects of linguistic states, and the importance of electoral reforms in achieving a true global leadership status for Bharat by 2047.
Topics:
00:00 Introduction
01:37 Discussion on Delimitation
06:57 Historical Context and Current Issues
11:19 Challenges and Future Prospects
18:35 Demographic Concerns and Solutions
38:58 Linguistic Politics and British Influence
43:05 The British Strategy Against Orissa
43:48 Linguistic States and Social Silence
44:37 British Influence on Local Languages
46:35 Historical Repetition and Linguistic Demands
47:26 Gandhi and Linguistic States
50:17 The Role of Language in Identity
51:25 Jesuit Influence in Tamil Nadu
54:48 The Evolution of Language and Identity
01:06:19 Small States and Governance
01:13:09 Concluding Thoughts on Delimitation
Buy the book
Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/aetUjcS
