In this week’s South Central hosts, Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna explore the churning in the country’s political Opposition. From TMC's dwindling numbers to DMK's tricky balancing act on the delimitation Bill. The hosts break down the realignment with senior journalist and Author Neerja Chowdhury and journalist Arvind Gunasekar. Is this about principles, or just who's placing the better bet?

Then, a hard conversation: child sexual abuse cases and the push for a sex offender registry. Vidya Reddy, Sannuthi Suresh and Subhashini from Thulir join to explain why a registry might do more harm than good, and what the real gaps in the system are.

Audio timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:03 - Headlines 

00:10:41 - Realignment of the Opposition Parties in India

00:42:53 - POCSO cases in India

1:16:05 - Recommendations

Check out the list of headlines discussed in South Central

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

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Producer - Akshay Lal, Camera - Ajay R,  Editor - Jaseem Ali, Social Media - Riya T T, Sukanya Shaji and Anakha C J 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first dives into the repeated targeting of YouTuber Raavan, who has been arrested five times over speeches critical of the Andhra Pradesh government, including one containing a controversial remark about Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The hosts are joined by senior journalist C Vanaja and Prof Murali Karnam of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.

In the second half of the episode, journalists Jisha Surya and Indulekha Aravind join the panel to discuss two major developments in Kerala - the recent landslide in Wayanad and the political confrontation between the UDF and the LDF over the Adani Group’s decision to sell their stake in Vizhinjam Port to a Switzerland-based company.

Audio timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:32 - Headlines 

00:10:42 - The arrest of YouTuber Raavan

00:48:26 - Wayanad Landslide and Vizhinjam Port controversy

1:08:08 - Recommendations

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Producer - Akshay Lal, Camera - Ajay R, Editor - Jaseem Ali, Social Media - Riya T T, Sukanya Shaji and Anakha C J 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss senior journalist R Rajagopal’s letter regarding the removal of his name from the electoral rolls, denying him renewal of his passport. They are joined by R Rajagopal himself and Shivasundar, a senior activist and researcher who has been studying the election process.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by investigative journalist Jisha Surya, Chairman of KIMS Health, Dr M I Sahadulla, and medical researcher and educator Dr A Althaf.

Audio timecodes: 

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:10 - Headlines 

00:09:35 - SIR and issues

00:48:53 - PE in Kerala hospitals

1:19:46 - Recommendations

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Producer - Megha Mukundan and Akshay Lal, Camera - Ajay R, Editor - Jaseem Ali, Social Media - Riya T T and Sukanya Shaji

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.