Parley by The Hindu

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

On December 29, 2024, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused each other of manipulating the Delhi electoral rolls in an attempt to win the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in February. While the AAP has accused the BJP of submitting applications to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to get the names of voters removed from the list in its strongholds, the BJP has claimed that the AAP government is aiding Rohingya immigrants to settle in the capital so that it can secure their votes. Earlier, the Congress had accused the ECI of arbitrarily deleting or adding voters’ names in electoral rolls before the Maharashtra Assembly elections.Should voter IDs be linked to Aadhaar to ensure transparency and put all these political claims and counterclaims to rest? Here we discuss the question.Guests: S.Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India; R.S. Sharma, former Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the first Director General of the Unique Identification Authority of IndiaHost: Sreeparna ChakrabartyEdited by Jude Francis Weston

At a recent panel discussion in New Delhi, French economist Thomas Piketty suggested that a wealth and inheritance tax be imposed on the super-rich in India, which, in turn, could fund health and education. India’s Chief Economic Advisor, Anantha Nageswaran, opposed the idea, arguing that higher taxes could encourage fund outflows.Should the wealth tax be brought back to address inequality in India? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Ajay Shah, Senior Research Fellow and Co-founder Xkdr Forum; Rahul Menon, Associate professor at the Jindal School of Government and Public PolicyHost: Samreen WaniYou 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

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, mandates a fixed five-year term for the Lok Sabha, with State Legislature elections aligned to this cycle. If the Lok Sabha or any State Assembly is dissolved before completing its full term, mid-term elections will be held only for the remainder of the five-year term.Should legislatures in India have fixed tenures? Here we discuss the question.Guests: P.D.T. Achary, Former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha; M.R. Madhavan, Co-founder and president of the PRS Legislative ResearchHost: Aaratrika BhaumikEdited by Jude Francis Weston

United States President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden for any federal crimes he committed or may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024 has brought renewed focus on the expansive clemency powers granted to the President by the U.S. Constitution. The President’s volte-face has provoked strong condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.Should the executive possess clemency powers? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Sanjay Hedge, Senior advocate based in Delhi; Alok Prasanna Kumar, Co-founder and Karnataka lead of Vidhi Centre for Legal PolicyHost: Aaratrika BhaumikEdited by Jude Francis Weston