In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti and TNM's Karnataka Bureau Chief Anisha Sheth. They first discuss the controversy surrounding the Ayodhya Ram Temple, questioning the formation of the SIT and why agencies such as the CBI or the CAG have not stepped in.

In the second half of the episode, the panel discusses MPs and MLAs deserting their parties to join the BJP, reflecting on the failure of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and the institutionalisation of political defections over the years.

Audio timecodes: 

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:30 - Headlines 

00:12:35 - Ram temple controversy

00:40:42 - Defections

01:04:35 - Recommendations

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Producer - Megha Mukundan, Camera - Ajay R, Editor - Dharini Prabaharan, Social Media - Riya T T 

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In this week's South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the RSS's longstanding reluctance to register itself as an organisation. They are joined by Shardool K of Newslaundry, who was part of the RSS for several years, and senior journalist Nikita Saxena. The panel unpacks how remaining unregistered has historically afforded the organisation plausible deniability, shielded its finances from scrutiny and audit, and kept its members largely unaccountable. The discussion also explores the RSS's extensive network of around 2,500 affiliated organisations and how it benefits from their goodwill while avoiding formal accountability.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss how Big Tech platforms like Meta, Apple, and YouTube are enabling the monetisation of hate-filled Hindutva pop. They are joined by journalist and author Kunal Purohit, who has been tracking Hindutva pop for several years and explains how it has spread across states, languages, and festivals, often with real-world consequences including riots and murders.

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:20 - Headlines 

00:09:58 - RSS registration

00:47:26 - Hindutva pop

1:12:47 - Recommendations

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In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss politics, gender, and self-expression with Aleena, a prominent writer and poet. She is a Dalit feminist thinker from Kerala who won the Sahithya Academy Kanakashree Award for her poetry collection titled Silk Route.

 In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss illegal mining and quarrying, which persist across several states. They are joined by activists G Sundarrajan, Coordinator of Poovulagin Nanbargal and Jayaram V, Convenor of Arappor Iyakkam.

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:48 - Headlines 

00:09:21 - Self-expression with Aleena

00:52:31 - Illegal mining in TN

1:27:51 - Recommendations

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Produced by Jaseem Ali and Megha Mukundan , edited by Jaseem Ali, camera Ajay R, socials Riya T T and Sukanya Shaji

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In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the recent political developments in Tamil Nadu and the resignation of the BJP’s former state head, Annamalai. They are joined by senior journalist RK Radhakrishnan.

In the second part of the episode, hosts discuss the Kerala government’s proposal to allow three days of period leave every month for school girls. They are joined by activist and physician Dr Jayashree AK and menstrual therapist and climate change educator Kavya.

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:04:29 - Headlines 

00:13:12 - Annamalai

00:45:09 - Kerala period leave

1:14:26 - Recommendations

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In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the cabinet change in Karnataka and what Siddaramaiah’s resignation will mean for the state’s politics. They are joined by professor and commentator Prithvi Datta Chandra Shobhi.

In the second half of the episode, the hosts discuss the Cockroach Janta Party and what this new political movement could mean. They are joined by TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal and Newslaundry Editorial Director Manisha Pande. 

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:50 - Headlines

00:12:21 - Siddaramaiah

00:48:20 - Cockroach Janta Party

01:15:46 - Recommendations

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In this episode of South Central, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Anisha Sheth first discuss the unprecedented use of social media in Tamil Nadu by Vijay’s TVK and whether it has reshaped politics in the state. They are joined by journalist and translator Kavitha Muralidharan and TNM’s Associate Editor Nandini Chandrasekhar.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the SIR process in Karnataka, which has faced considerable resistance. They are joined by activist and journalist Shivasundar. 

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:06 - Headlines 

00:10:02 - TVK social media game

00:49:43 - Anti SIR debate

1:14:06 - Recommendations

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In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the NEET exam paper leak and the subsequent developments. 

They are joined by educationist and the founder of Career 360, Maheshwer Peri and TNM Associate Editor Nandini Chandrashekar. In the second part of the discussions, the hosts discuss the austerity measures announced by PM Modi, including a ban on exports and judicious use of oil and gas. 

They are joined by journalist and founder of India’s first data journalism initiative IndiaSpend, Govindraj Ethiraj.

Audio timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:50 - Headlines 

00:10:49 - Exam paper leaks in India

00:40:25 - PM Modi's announcements on austerity

1:11:45 - Recommendations

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In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the political developments in Tamil Nadu and the national implications of the fallout between DMK and Congress. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief, Shabbir Ahmed, journalist and political analyst Rasheed Kidwai, and K Venkataramanan, a senior journalist who was previously with The Hindu.

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In the first part of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the Kerala and Tamil Nadu exit polls and the recent political developments in both states.

They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahmed, Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, and senior reporter Azeefa Fathima.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the World Press Freedom Index 2026, in which India has slipped down to 157. They are joined by senior journalist Laxmi Murthy, who is also the founder and co-editor of the Free Speech Collective.

Audio timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:58 - Headlines

00:14:04 - Kerala & Tamil Nadu exit polls

00:51:25 - India slips in Press Freedom Index

1:18:15 - Recommendations

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Produced by Jaseem Ali, Megha Mukundan, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji, Camera by Ajay R

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In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss delimitation and what states should now be discussing with the Union government. They are joined by former IAS officer Rangarajan Ramakrishnan.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the Telangana government’s Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024, its main findings, how poverty intermingles with caste to create marginalisations, and more. They are joined by academician and commentator Professor PL Visweshwar Rao, and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:01:59 - Headlines 

00:08:55 - Delimitation 

00:40:23 - Telangana Caste Survey

01:12:17 - Recommendations

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Produced & edited by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Vignesh Manickam & written by Sukanya Shaji.

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