Parley by The Hindu

Russia-born tech tycoon Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in Paris on August 24. French authorities announced that Mr. Durov is under investigation for a litany of serious crimes, including enabling the distribution of child sexual abuse material on the app, facilitating drug trafficking, and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.Should digital platform owners be held liable for user-generated content? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Pranesh Prakash, Co-founder and former policy director at the Centre for Internet and Society; Rohit Kumar, Founding partner of the Quantum HubHost: Aaratrika BhaumikEdited by Jude Francis Weston

Ashok Vardhan Shetty, a retired IAS officer and former vice-chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, discusses the pressing need for specialized expertise in civil services. He critiques the current selection process for lateral entry, arguing for a balance between experienced generalists and skilled outsiders. The conversation delves into the challenges of ensuring social justice within recruitment while addressing political favoritism and cronyism. Shetty emphasizes that a robust evaluation mechanism is crucial to enhance governance effectiveness and protect the integrity of public service.

Following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the issue of violence against healthcare workers has come to the forefront, with medical professionals across India demanding the enactment of a Central law to protect healthcare workers. In 2019, a Bill on this issue was drafted by the Central government, but it never saw the light of day.Can a Central law ensure security for healthcare professionals at work? Here we discuss the question.Guests: R.V. Asokan, national president of the Indian Medical Association; Shanthi Ravindranath, doctor-activist, is Secretary, Doctors’ Association for Social EqualityHost: C. MayaEdited by Jude Francis Weston

The Paris Olympics just ended with India securing six medals — one silver and five bronze — to place 71st in the medals tally. The country’s performance led to many questions about the need for a sporting culture.Was India’s performance in the Olympics an outcome of its lack of sporting culture outside cricket? What more can be done? Here we discuss the question in a conversation. 

Opposition leaders have termed the 2024-25 Budget as the “Kursi Bachao Budget.” Chief Ministers have boycotted and walked out the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.There are allegations that Centre is discriminating against non-NDA States. This has renewed the interest in the debate about how resources are distributed amongst States.Here we discuss whether the Centre is being iniquitous in State transfers.Guests: Pinaki Chakraborty is visiting distinguished professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi; R Ramakumar teaches at the School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.Host: Jasmin Nihalani.

On July 11, the BJP-led Maha Yuti government tabled the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, in the Assembly. While presenting the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it is aimed at curbing the menace of Naxalism in urban areas. He said that Naxalism is not limited to rural areas and is increasing in urban areas through frontal organisations. The unlawful activities of such organisations need to be controlled through effective legal means, he added. The provisions of the proposed Bill, which allows the State to declare any organisation as ‘unlawful’ with offences categorised as cognisable and non-bailable, has raised concerns.Is the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill draconian? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Yashovardhan Azad, retired Indian Police Service officer who has served in the Intelligence; Brinda Adige, human rights activist and founder of Global Concerns IndiaHost: Vijaita SinghYou 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 recent stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in more than 120 deaths, has reignited the debate on whether India has adequate legislation to address exploitative religious and superstitious practices. Experts have advocated for a national law akin to existing legislation in Maharashtra and Karnataka to effectively address superstition, black magic, witch-hunting, and other inhuman practices.Does India have enough laws to combat superstitious practices? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Avinash Patil, president, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS); Alok Prasanna Kumar, co-founder and lead of Vidhi Karnataka.Host: Aaratrika BhaumikEdited by Jude Francis Weston

Discussing the demands for special financial packages by Bihar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers, the implications on state economies, central budget deficit, and Finance Commission allocations. Exploring challenges in funds distribution, economic performance impact, GST effects on state autonomy, and political influence in state financing.

The conflict between ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and the military junta in Myanmar has created a serious humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations Security Council took up for discussion on July 3. Some experts on Myanmar have called for India to review its policy and establish channels with the EAOs to help the affected civilians.Should India review its Myanmar policy in view of the humanitarian crisis? Here we discuss the question.Guests: Rajiv Bhatia, a Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House and a former Ambassador; Nandita Haksar, a human rights lawyerHost: Kallol Bhattacherjee

The Constitution is seemingly at the centre of political rhetoric and symbolism in India right now. Opposition leaders have held up copies of the Constitution while walking into Parliament. They have waved these in the Prime Minister’s face. They have also held these copies while taking oath. Some argue that this is the Opposition’s tip to the mandate that it believes it has received from the country’s marginalised and oppressed communities to “Save the Constitution”.So, did a constitutional conscience drive much of the Dalit and OBC (Other Backward Classes) vote this Lok Sabha elections? And to what extent? Here we discuss these questions.Guests: Harish S. Wankhede, assistant professor at the Centre for Political Studies, JNU, New Delhi; Ravikant Kisana, Assistant Dean (Academic Affairs) and Associate Professor at Woxsen University, Hyderabad.Host: Abhinay LakshmanYou can now find The Hindu’s podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu.