Maoist encounters, Indian Railways post COVID, and 1984 anti-Sikh riots ruling
Feb 26, 2025
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The podcast delves into the Indian government's aggressive approach to ending Maoism, aiming for eradication by 2026. It highlights the resurgence of Indian Railways post-COVID, especially the growing revenue from AC class travel. Finally, it addresses the significant ruling against a former Congress MP for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, shedding light on the ongoing quest for justice and the challenges faced by the victims' families.
The government's intensified efforts against Maoists have resulted in unprecedented one-sided violence and a bold deadline for eradication by 2026.
The Indian Railways has transformed its revenue model post-COVID, with AC travel now dominating ticket sales due to changing passenger preferences.
Deep dives
Government's Crackdown on Maoists
The government has intensified its efforts to combat Maoist activities across the country, leading to an unprecedented number of encounters resulting in significant casualties on the Maoist side. Recent statistics indicate that the security forces have been more effective, with very few casualties among their ranks during operations against Maoists. This one-sided violence contrasts sharply with earlier conflicts where casualties were more evenly distributed between both sides, highlighting a shift in tactics used in these encounters. Home Minister Amit Shah has even set a bold political deadline of March 2026 for the eradication of Maoism, though experts question the realism of this timeframe, asserting that lasting change requires addressing the underlying socio-economic issues faced by the affected communities.
Transformation of Indian Railways Revenue Structure
The Indian Railways has seen a significant shift in its revenue generation model since the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue from AC class travel now surpassing non-AC revenue for the first time. This change reflects evolving passenger preferences and economic trends, where AC classes have increased in demand due to better facilities and a rise in disposable income among travelers. Data shows that the share of AC ticket revenue rose to 54%, while non-AC revenue dropped to 38%, indicating a substantial transformation in travel behavior over the past five years. Factors contributing to this trend include the introduction of premium trains and competitive pricing strategies that appeal to a broader range of passengers.
Justice in the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
The sentencing of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots marks a significant moment in the long fight for justice. This ruling, which follows years of public pressure and interventions by various civil rights organizations, highlights the difficulties faced in prosecuting cases related to mass violence after decades have passed. Despite Kumar’s health condition and age influencing the court's decision to impose life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, the ruling emphasizes the ongoing struggle to bring accountability and closure to the victims' families. Legal experts note that, while this conviction is important, many key perpetrators of the riots remain unpunished, demonstrating the enduring challenges within the legal system.
First, we talk to The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the government's unprecedented Maoist encounters and the deadline to end Naxalism in the country.
Next, The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra discusses the seismic shift in The Indian Railways' revenue structure in the past five years since the COVID. (14:07)
Finally, we discuss Congress MP Sajjan Kumar's sentence to life imprisonment in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. (24:20)
Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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