In episode ten of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by public policy professionals Tara Krishnaswamy and Tushar  Chakrabarthy, along with advocate Sandhya Raju who practises in the Kerala High Court.

In this episode, first we discuss whether the union government is messing the finances of comparatively richer southern states? Or are states responsible for their fiscal woes? The discussion later is on the sexual assault of a Dalit teen in Kerala that has shook the country. The teen has accused 58 men of raping her.

Tune in for an in-depth discussion. 

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Audio Timecodes 

 00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:00:48:00 - Announcements

00:02:24:00 - Headlines

00:06:39:00 - States vs Union

00:41:07:00 - Pattanamthitta crime

01:11:03:00 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In episode nine, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by TNM’s senior journalist Anisha Sheth and journalist Yunus Lasania. This week, we discuss why communal violence went down in coastal Karnataka in 2024. 

On the changing trends of communal violence in Karnataka, Pooja highlights, “These incidents don’t happen in isolation. They happen for a reason, and that reason is to convert the region first to think in a certain way and then get electoral benefits out of it. They are part of a long-term strategy to polarize communities, first culturally and then politically, as seen in the coastal belt.” 

Anisha explains how violence has declined in coastal Karnataka but risen in northern districts, “Ideologically, nobody has had a change of heart. But they're no longer participating in violence. There is also the realization that communities like the Billawas have always been sidelined and considered unimportant, never given important positions in leadership. This transformation of primary identities into a broader Hindutva identity is its biggest achievement.” 

In Telangana, it’s Congress CM Revanth Reddy vs BRS’ KTR. Yunus says, “Revanth Reddy, being a first-time chief minister, has to assert himself and show that he’s sticking to his promises. His focus on KTR is strategic, aiming to keep the BRS tied up in controversies while asserting his leadership.” 

Leena adds, “There’s always cases and images being tarnished of your political opponent once they are out of power. It’s not tough for governments to bring out such cases, drag them into the mud, and permanently harm their reputation, ensuring their political mileage is lost.”

Tune in for sharp insights, riveting debates, and a delicious twist—Yunus shares his top biryani picks!

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions

00:02:08:00 - Announcements

00:03:14:00 - Headlines

00:14:28:00 - Karnataka Communal Violence Trends

00:52:41:00 - Formula E Case Against KTR

01:09:29:00 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In episode eight, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna and Leena Reghunath are joined by senior journalist Ramya Kannan and Save Nimisha Priya Action Council member Babu John. 

On the Anna University student sexual assault case, Ramya highlights the critical issue of safety and institutional responsibility, “No administration can hide behind the fact that this happened in a remote location within the campus.”

Leena calls out the language used in the FIR, “While the narrative of the victim should be accurately recorded in FIR, if the language is victim-blaming, I think it is not the language of the survivor but it’s the police’s language.”

Ramya adds, “This will become an index case, setting the tone for how such incidents are reported and handled in the future.” 

On Indian nurse Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen, Babu John says, “Everything is with the Indian government now. If they intervene immediately, we can save Nimisha Priya.” 

Ramya points out, “Is it a case of being a poor immigrant left to your own resources that will make the govts drag their feet on this? I think these are the questions we have to ask. 

Tune in for an in-depth discussion. 

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

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To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:00:48:00 - Announcements

00:03:16:00- Headlines

00:06:09:00 - Anna Uni Student Sexual Assault 

00:39:18:00 - Nimisha Priya Case 

01:13:55:00 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In episode seven, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by author Sowmya Rajendran, lawyer and activist Vinay Srinivasa, and journalist Rajeshwari Kalyanam.

On the controversy surrounding Allu Arjun and the tragic stampede, Rajeshwari reflects on the shift in public sentiment: "Initially, there was a lot of sympathy for Allu Arjun, but that died down after the whole spectacle once he came out on bail.” Sowmya adds, “If he goes to a theatre, he knew very well what would happen. He knew that there would be a tsunami of people.”

Sowmya also highlights the obsession with first-week box office collections: “Producers bank on strong word-of-mouth during this period. The desperation to draw crowds is evident in the aggressive marketing and sky-high ticket prices.”

Pooja notes that Revanth Reddy has made a political choice to project himself as a tough man who takes on even the most popular faces. 

As the conversation shifts to Bengaluru’s public spaces and how they are regulated, Vinay points to the overregulation of parks: “Parks are commons. There should be no entry barriers, but there’s too much state control.” Dhanya adds, “We have very few public spaces that people can access. And when they can access them, there are all kinds of bizarre ad hoc rules.”

This and more. Dive into South Central for an engaging and insightful discussion—you won’t want to miss it!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:02:48:00 - Announcements

00:03:40:00- Headlines

00:10:00:00 - Allu Arjun Controversy 

00:40:09:00 -Public Spaces 

01:04:47:02 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In episode six, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by journalist Geeta Seshu, independent activist-writer Madhu Bhushan, and public health expert Dr. Swathi SB. 

Dhanya highlights the troubling narratives emerging from Atul Subhash’s case, “deliberately a confusion is being created that men are dying by suicide because of marriage related issues, fake dowry harassment cases or the 498 A law.”

Geeta says, “the misuse of laws exists, but dismantling them is not the answer. These laws were designed to protect against misogyny, and systemic misuse should be the focus.”

On the misuse of laws like 498A and the challenges women face when seeking justice, Madhu says, “Society is still not willing to accept that violence against women continues despite the existence of all these laws.” She adds, “If Atul had reached out to an organization, I’m glad that he reached out to an organization. The question is, how does that organization then support him?”

The conversation delves into the media’s sensationalistic portrayal of the case, with Dhanya pointing out how channels circulated Atul’s video without context, violating ethical guidelines. “This kind of coverage is irresponsible and could lead to more harm, including copycat suicides,” says Pooja.

This and more. Dive into South Central for an engaging and insightful discussion—you won’t want to miss it!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:01:24:00 - Announcements

00:02:20:00- Headlines

00:06:34:00 - Atul Subhash Case

00:52:30:00 -Karnataka Maternal Deaths 

01:08:03:02 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by author and activist Meena Kandasamy and TNM's senior editor Ragamalika Karthikeyan. 

Leena delves into Kerala’s actor assault case, highlighting judicial delays and systemic issues. Dhanya discusses how the visuals of the sexual assault were illegally accessed by court employees and no criminal proceedings are being done on them.

The survivor has meanwhile written to the President for help. Raga says, “I think it's process as punishment for the survivor. Everything that is happening, whether it is the courts, how the judges are reacting, how the people are reacting, all of this is patriarchy in action. It should shock us that this is a person who does have access to more resources. And yet, this is what she's facing.”

Pooja adds, “At the end of the day, they’re fighting multiple battles to ensure they aren’t further traumatized or shamed, while still living with the stigma that comes with it.”

As the conversation shifts to Rahul Gandhi’s role in the India Bloc, with Meena emphasizing the need for Congress to fully commit to its progressive stance. She says, “Hindutva-lite won’t defeat Hindutva Agmark. Rahul Gandhi’s stance against crony capitalism and support for the caste census show he’s taking bold steps, but the Congress must reinvent itself.”

The discussion then turns to Tamil Nadu politics, where a book launch featuring Vijay and VCK’s Aadhav Arjuna has become a flashpoint for speculation about political alignments. Meena comments, “If Vijay makes statements against the DMK while sitting next to an ally, it’s immediately perceived as agreement, even without public contradiction.”

Dive into South Central for an engaging and insightful discussion—you won’t want to miss it!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:01:42:00 - Announcements

00:03:00:00- Headlines

00:13:32:00 - Kerala Actor Assault Case 

00:37:32:00 -INDIA Bloc: Rahul or Mamata?

01:03:02:05 - TN Political Flashpoint

01:17:38:02 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by weather blogger Srikanth (@ChennaiRains) and political consultant Tara Krishnaswamy.

Srikanth highlights the gaps in India’s weather prediction infrastructure, “We should aim for radar coverage within 200 kilometers everywhere in the country, but large parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the Western Ghats still don’t have enough coverage. Critical areas like Bengaluru, for instance, lack a dedicated radar system, which affects timely warnings.”

The conversation shifts to the legal challenges faced by fact-checker Mohammed Zubair. Dhanya remarks, “Personally, people can like Zubair, dislike him, agree with some of his tweets, or think he is a political stooge of some party or the other. But a state's power is being used against an individual.”

Pooja notes, “But the fact that a fact-checker is booked again and again shows how those in power are so averse to anybody correcting their misinformation.”

Leena observes, “Having a Muslim name in this country means that whatever you do can turn into an offense. With a Hindu name, life becomes a bit easier. And that’s the unfortunate truth of our times.”

Tara adds, “It is not just, ‘If you have a Muslim name, we’re going to come after you.’ It is, ‘We will make an example of you because we need to instill fear in others.’ It goes against their narrative to allow anyone to rise up against them.”

Finally, the discussion moves to Pawan Kalyan’s evolving political identity. Pooja notes, “Pawan Kalyan’s ability to adapt and stay relevant is undeniable, but his shift from federalist rhetoric to aligning with hardline narratives raises important questions about his endgame.”

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:02:52:00 - Announcements

00:04:08:00- Headlines

00:14:50:00 - Cyclone Fengal 

00:40:05:00 -Zubair case

00:58:45:02 - Pawan Kalyan’s politics

01:25:30:00 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

Welcome to South Central, a brand-new TNM podcast that delves into the stories shaping southern India.

In the third episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Raghunath are joined by journalist M. Rajshekhar and writer Nadika Nadja.

On Adani’s alleged bribery case, Rajshekhar explains, “This is the first time we’ve seen evidence of money flowing back to politicians in exchange for favors.” Dhanya questions, “Why does every political party avoid confronting Adani?”

The conversation then moves to actor Siddique’s controversial bail in a sexual assault case. Pooja remarks, "There’s so much focus on the victim, how they spoke to the alleged perpetrator or whether they were smiling, that the real issue gets overlooked." Leena reflects on how this judgment impacts women in the film industry, questioning the challenges they face in coming forward with complaints.

Finally, Nadika and the hosts discuss the movie industry’s push to delay reviews. Nadika observes, “Cinema is art, but it’s also a consumer product. If you want audiences to watch, you have to allow them the space to critique it.”

All this and more—tune in to South Central for an insightful conversation!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:01:50:00 - Announcements

00:03:00:01- Headlines

00:12:34:02 - Adani Indictment 

00:35:22:04 -Actor Siddique bail 

00:53:45:08 - Pushback against movie reviews 

01:12:47:01 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In the second episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by Frontline’s Senior Associate Editor RK Radhakrishnan and lawyer Nikhil Narendran.

On actor Nayanthara’s stand against Dhanush, Dhanya observes, “I think it’s very uncharacteristic for a female actor to take on someone like Dhanush, who is so embedded in the system.”

Adding to the discussion, Nikhil notes, “It seems unnecessary to create a controversy, or perhaps Dhanush acted unfairly towards Nayanthara. I don’t think she’ll face much trouble because the footage was shot on a mobile phone, and courts often view such cases favorably under the doctrine of de minimis.” Nikhil, an expert on IP law explains why Dhanush is on a weak wicket. 

Highlighting male dominance in the film industry, RK remarks, “Despite the spirited struggle in Kerala, it remains confined to the state and hasn’t influenced other regions. Exploitation, catcalling, and even passing off lewd acts as humor on sets or at audio release functions continue unchecked.”

The discussion then shifts to former BJP leader Sandeep Varier’s surprising move to the Congress. Leena comments, “In Kerala, politics was once so ideology-driven… but that seems to be fading now.”

All this and more—tune in to South Central for an insightful conversation!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio timecodes

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:00:43:00 - Announcements

00:02:29:10 - Headlines

00:24:59:02 - Nayanthara vs Dhanush

00:41:35:04 -Sandeep Varier joins Congress

00:57:40:08 - Kasthuri Shankar arrest

01:06:03:01 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

Welcome to South Central, a brand-new TNM podcast that delves into the stories shaping southern India.

In the first episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by Prof. of Law Anup Surendranath and Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri.

Discussing former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s comment that he turned to god during the Ayodhya case, Abhinandan says, “Religiosity is something that progressives or liberals mock at their own peril because not everybody who is religious or invokes religion is a bad person.”

Anup was critical of the ‘Chandrachud project’, as he called it, “He was, in a very strange sense, prostrate – very reluctant to hold the state accountable on the sharpest questions.”

As the conversation shifts to Tamil actor Vijay’s entry into politics, Dhanya remarks, “He has actually come in when he’s at his peak, and he’s clearly made that a talking point.” Pooja adds, “There is no structure to the party. There’s one superstar on top, and after that, what happens?” Leena comments, “Other than Vijay, who do we know in the party?”

All this and more—tune in!

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]

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Become a subscriber- Click here.

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Audio timecodes

00:00:00:00 - Introductions 

00:02:42:00 - Announcements

00:03:07:01 - Headlines

00:29:44:02 - Communal Officers

00:40:37:03 - CJI Chandrachud 

01:02:54:01 - Vijay's TVK 

01:16:06:02 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references form this episode.

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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