Parley by The Hindu

Yogendra Yadav, a psephologist and political commentator, joins T.M. Krishna, a renowned Carnatic musician and author, to discuss the controversial three-language policy in India's education system. They explore concerns over the imposition of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, especially Tamil Nadu, and the implications for regional rights and diversity. The duo critiques the government's approach to language learning, emphasizing the need for inclusivity, respect for all languages, and a reevaluation of multilingual education that prioritizes cultural connections.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Arun Kumar Tangirala, a chemical engineering professor at IIT Tirupati and AI expert, teams up with Arul George Scaria, a law professor at the National Law School of India University. They delve into the increasing use of AI in education and its potential impact on students' critical thinking skills. The conversation highlights the necessity of balancing AI's benefits with the foundational analytical skills. They also emphasize the importance of developing responsible policies and guidelines for AI integration in academic settings.

On February 19, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh in a dramatic reversal of the previous U.S. administration’s policy not to have peace talks with Russia since the beginning of the war with Ukraine in February 2022. This happened because of Donald Trump’s election campaign, which called for “ending the war in Ukraine”. Since taking office, President Trump has spoken on phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also criticised on Truth Social.Will the U.S.’s change in its Ukraine policy end the Russia-Ukraine war? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary; Anuradha Chenoy, adjunct professor, Jindal Global UniversityHost: Kallol Bhattacherjee

The popular YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent’ has sparked controversy after criminal proceedings were initiated against its creators and participants over allegedly obscene remarks in one of its episodes. On February 18, 2025, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, one of the participants named in the FIRs. This has reignited the debate on whether stringent criminal sanctions are justified for contentious speech.Is there a right to take offence? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Justice Gautam Patel, former judge of the Bombay High Court; Dushyant Dave, senior advocate based in DelhiHost: Aaratrika BhaumikYou can now find The Hindu’s podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu.Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@thehindu.co.in

Justice Rajeev Shakdher, a former judge of the Delhi High Court, and Shadan Farasat, a senior advocate in Delhi, dive into the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing ad-hoc judges to address a growing backlog of cases. They discuss the implications of this strategy, analyzing current case statistics and constitutional frameworks. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration between the judiciary and the government, while also addressing the challenges of transitioning experienced lawyers to these temporary roles. It's a compelling exploration of judicial efficiency and integrity.

Pranesh Prakash, a legal and tech policy expert, and Tanuj Bhojwani, former head of People + AI, dive into India's quest for a foundational AI model. They discuss the implications of sovereignty versus financial constraints, questioning whether building local capabilities is necessary. The guests highlight the importance of open-source solutions tailored to local needs, the challenges in AI research and education, and government initiatives to boost AI development. Their insights paint a complex picture of India's AI future, balancing innovation with strategic resource allocation.

K.K. Kailash, a Political Sciences professor, and Hilal Ahmed, an expert in coalition politics, dive into the fate of the INDIA bloc. They analyze the bloc's ability to counter the BJP after losing key state elections. The discussion reveals the ideological divides within the coalition and how this fragmentation is impacting their unity. They also highlight the necessary strategies for opposition parties to strengthen their alliance and present a cohesive front, examining the critical need for ongoing communication and leadership.

P.C. Mohanan, a former member of the National Statistical Commission, and N.R. Bhanumurthy, Director of the Madras School of Economics, dive deep into India's poverty statistics. They discuss the implications of the recent Household Consumption Expenditure Survey and challenge the reliability of current poverty measures. The conversation highlights the complexities of defining poverty in a post-pandemic landscape and advocates for an updated official poverty line. The duo emphasizes the urgent need for accurate data to align with global sustainability goals.

India’s 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy marked the end of its decade-long dominance in the series against Australia. This was not an exception; India’s performance in Test cricket has been dismal for a while now. Over the last four months, the team has lost six out of eight Tests, including a shocking 0-3 defeat against New Zealand at home.Has T20 cricket deskilled Indian batting? Here we discuss the question. 

At an event in December, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said there are a lot of challenges in providing dual citizenship to Indians settled abroad. He pointed out that the Overseas Citizenship of India drive is a step towards meeting the demand and added that the debate on dual citizenship is “still alive”.Here we discuss the issue.Guests: Vivek Katju, Diplomat Ambassador; Amitabh Mattoo, Dean of the School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityHost: Kallol BhattacherjeeYou can now find The Hindu’s podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu.Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@thehindu.co.in