NL Hafta

This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Anand Vardhan are joined by The Caravan’s editor-in-chief Hartosh Singh Bal and investigative journalist Aruna Chandrashekhar.On the final phase of elections, Hartosh says “it’s baffling” that the voting date in Punjab coincides with the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. He says because of the strong anti-BJP sentiment in Punjab, the state remains a political battleground primarily for the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, despite the “quadrangular fight” after the split between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP.The conversation then shifts to the issue of natural resource mining in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Aruna describes them as “sacrificed zones”, regardless of the governing party. She says that due to the Congress's “neglect”, the locals had turned to the BJP.On the rise in temperatures in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, Aruna says the environmental crisis has been triggered by urbanisation, reduced green cover, and increased concrete structures. She delves into the mention of environmental issues in the political parties’ manifestos. The panel also discusses the working conditions for labourers in the heatwave.This and a whole lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are at its peak and Newslaundry and The News Minute teams are bringing ground reports from across the country. Click here to support us.Song: Punjabiyan Di ShaanTimecodes00: 00:00 - Introduction00: 07:47 - Headlines 00: 19:02 - Elections in Punjab 00: 25:25 - Voter sentiments in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha 00: 31:49 - Key party battles in Punjab00: 43:03 - On climate change and soaring heat waves  01: 00:20 - Hartosh’s recommendations 01:04:03 - Aruna’s recommendations 01:21:34 - Podcast letters 01:40:49- Panel recommendations  Hafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta and Prashant edited by Hassan Bilal.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Faye D’Souza joins the panel to discuss Maharashtra and Delhi polls. Eknath Shinde's lack of goodwill, confusion over election symbols, and BJP's dominance in Delhi are highlighted. The tragic Porsche car crash in Pune appeals to the upper middle class sensibilities. Juvenile bail issues are debated, emphasizing equal treatment under the law.

Advertising guru Santosh Desai and multimedia artist Anurag Minus Verma discuss the impact of political advertisements, influencers in communication, and the elections in Amethi and Rae Bareli. They also touch on Kejriwal's temporary bail and his speech about Modi retiring. Insights on political ads not reaching a wide audience, unemployment as a big concern, and confusing voters with speeches.

This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri and Raman Kirpal are joined by journalists Girish Kuber, Sunita Aron, and Sudipto Mondal. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech accusing the Congress of receiving money from industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, Sudipto says this news is not headline material but rather “gossip material”. He adds that the talk on the ground is “nahi mila kya is baar”, suggesting that the corporate houses put their weight behind the Congress in this election.On the elections in Maharashtra, Girish says, “There is no state-wide agenda in these polls. There are 48 constituencies and 48 election agendas.” Sunita points out the BJP’s big challenge in UP. “The BJP has set a target of 75 seats, but after Rahul and Akhilesh came together, there is better chemistry and coordination [in INDIA bloc].”The panel then discusses the BSP’s prospects and the sacking of its leader and Mayawati’s nephew, Akash Anand, from the post of national coordinator. Sudipto counters Abhinandan’s argument of the BSP being the BJP’s B-team, saying it “doesn’t come with a sensitivity” that the party represents a politics “different from all other parties” and represents “the most oppressed sections”. He adds, “The pragmatism that other parties show is appreciated a lot more than the pragmatism these parties [including the AIMIM and VBA] show.”This and a whole lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are here and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans. Click here to support us.Timecodes00:06:27 - Modi’s Adani-Ambani speech00: 16:20 - Headlines00: 24:04 - Maharashtra elections 00:29:49 - UP elections00: 35:54 - Akash Anand’s sacking01:11:06 - Letters 01:30:12 - RecommendationsHafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta & Priyali Dhingra, edited by Hassan Bilal and Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guests Anisha Sheth and Tanishka Sodhi discuss the Prajwal Revanna controversy, Bihar politics, and gems from Modi's speeches. Topics include political scandals, sympathy for Sharad Pawar, and Modi's dramatic statements.

Journalist Pooja Prasanna and lawyer Vakasha Sachdev discuss the JDS-BJP alliance in Karnataka, inheritance tax rationale, and issues with PMLA. They unravel the myth of Vokkaligas' secularism, societal impacts of inheritance tax, and lack of judiciary critique. Delve into the complexities of special laws and the need for scrutiny. Join the insightful debate on political dynamics and economic equality.

Political analyst Suhas Palshikar discusses the credibility of EVMs, while tech expert Madhav Deshpande talks about the major technological changes. The panel dissects the BJP manifesto, noting its 'weird' approach towards Hindutva. An interesting conversation on manifestos and poll promises.

Policy researcher Yamini Aiyar and senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai discuss challenges facing Indian think tanks, Congress's relevance in upcoming elections, and the controversy around using religion for votes. Rasheed believes religion isn't a major issue for voters. A fascinating discussion on policy, politics, and election strategies.

This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Manisha Pande are joined by ex-Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi, and academic Professor R Manivannan.Dr Quraishi says that ensuring a level-playing field is the Election Commission’s “dharma”. He says it is necessary for conducting free and fair elections which are “a basic structure of the Constitution”. He adds that the EC follows the principle of “what can wait must wait”, and asks whether the arrest of opposition leaders could have waited.On the Katchatheevu island issue, Prof. Manivannan says the island was historically “within the revenue region of the king of Ramanathapuram”, adding that by 1976, the fishing rights of  Tamil fishermen had been taken away in the region. “What happens to the population that relies on fishing in the region?” he asks. This and a lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans. Click here to support us.Timecodes00: 02:41 - Headlines00:10:53 - Role of Election Commission41:01:30- Katchatheevu 01:22:01 - Letters01:46:48 - Recommendations Hafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta and Priyali Dhingra, edited by Hassan Bilal and Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Anand Vardan are joined by music producer and public health consultant Dr Aiswarya Rao.On the controversy around TM Krishna being conferred the Sangita Kalanidhi award by the Madras Music Academy and the Carnatic music fraternity’s response, Rao says it is an “intra-Brahmin musician dispute”. One faction wants to “take Carnatic music to the masses”, while the other wants to maintain its “hegemony”.  On Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, Manisha says the PMLA Act is “scary”. “You cannot get bail in PMLA till the court is satisfied that there is prima facie no case.” This and a lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app.General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans. Click here to support us. Timecodes00:05:40 - Headlines00:12:20 - TM Krishna’s Sangita Kalanidhi award controversy00:31:32 - Arvind Kejriwal arrest00:59:57 - Letters01:16:13  - RecommendationsHafta letters, recommendations, songs and referencesCheck out our previous Hafta recommendations.Produced and recorded by Aryan Mahtta, edited by Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.