South Central

In Episode 28 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Sudipto Mondal discuss if Shashi Tharoor is at a breaking point with the Congress party, and TNM-Newslaundry series on police excesses and impunity across India. Joining the discussion are lawyer and activist Vinay Srinivasa and TNM’s Chennai Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed. 

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:02:04- Announcements 

00:03:29- Headlines

00:19:12 - Shashi Tharoor and Congress

00:39:33- Police Excesses and Impunity

1:17:50 - Letters

1:20:42 - Recommendations 

1:24:50 - Support TNM 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In Episode 27 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the India–Pakistan ceasefire following Operation Sindoor and examine the role of the media during military escalation. They speak with defence expert Sushant Singh and senior journalist Prem Panicker.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:01:58 - Announcements 

00:02:38- Headlines

00:12:50 - India-Pakistan

00:41:25- Role of Media

1:12:34 - Letters

1:18:08 - Recommendations 

1:24:18 - Support TNM 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In Episode 26 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss India’s Operation Sindoor, evolving military posture, diplomacy, and the challenges of reporting during heightened conflict. In the discussion are foreign affairs reporter Smita Sharma and Takshashila Institution co-founder Nitin pai. 

On India’s airstrikes, Nitin Pai says, “The three points Uri, Balakot, and Sindoor form a straight line — one that is the new normal, which says that India will respond with military force to a terrorist attack above a certain threshold.”

Smita explains the strategic importance of the terrorist camps India targeted on May 7: “Bahawalpur was a breeding ground for Jaish-e-Mohammad. For India, it’s a big boost that Masood Azhar confirmed these strikes, saying 10 of his family members were killed.”

On Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling and its “tit for tat” strategy, Nitin says, “There are no terrorists in India. There's no equivalent of a militant group in India that is connected to the Indian army or Indian armed forces that Pakistan can attack in retaliation. If they have to respond, they will attack the Indian army or security force’s relatively small installations. And that becomes an escalation.”

Smita warns about the risks of domestic militarism in Pakistan, “They have been crying for attention. US president Donald Trump, in his last presidency, had cut off financial aid meant for Pakistan. So for them, why have they been talking today for the DGI SPR, the Pakistan Army spokesperson, to do a press conference and admit that Indians managed to injure four Pakistani soldiers in Lahore? It's because they want to present a case to the world that they have so far only acted in defense.”

The panel also critiques India’s own preparedness and political narrative. Dhanya and Pooja question why civilians in areas like Poonch weren’t evacuated in time, and why Indian media isn’t pressing harder for accountability.

The speakers also discussed many more issues like the threat of a nuclear war, the cost of war, and the complexity of reporting on military action in an age of misinformation. 

All this and more—tune in.

Follow Smita Sharma's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@smitasharmajournalist

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:02:21- Headlines

00:09:55 -Operation Sindoor

1:04:19 - Support TNM

Become a subscriber - Click here.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In the aftermath of the tragic killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, how should India respond — and what signals do recent government measures really send? Meanwhile, India has moved up in the World Press Freedom Index. But does this reflect actual change on the ground, or just a shifting global baseline?

On South Central Episode 25, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath speak with international relations expert Professor Amitabh Mattoo and senior journalist Nirupama Subramaniam.

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Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:01:57- Support TNM 

00:05:30 -Headlines 

00:10:23 -Pahalgam Attack

00:57:47- Press Freedom Index

01:19:55 - Recommendations

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In Episode 24 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss Bengaluru’s migrants vs Kannadigas issue and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s criticism aimed at the Supreme Court’s powers. Also part of the discussion are comedian and writer Nithin Kamath, lawyer Suhrith Parthasarathy, and TNM’s Anisha Sheth. 

On the Bengaluru debate, Dhanya says, “For many Kannadigas, this isn’t just about language. It’s really about erasure. There is a fear among locals that their city, culture, and identity is being sidelined.”

Anisha adds, “It’s become an argument over a fight for economic resources — land, water, all of these things. And that’s acquired a kind of belligerence on all sides.”

Nithin observes, “On social media, anything related to Kannada, Karnataka, or Bengaluru has become a keyword of sorts. People lace Kannada sentiments into any issue, like with the Shiladitya Bose road rage incident. By the time the facts come out, the damage is already done.”

As the conversation shifts to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s remarks on the Supreme Court, Suhrith Parthasarathy says, “Our constitutional design is such that the judiciary, which comprises an unelected body of members and judges, will act as a check on not just executive excesses but also legislative excesses.”

On the Supreme Court’s verdict on the role of governors, Leena points out, “What the court has done is just take the vision of the constitution-makers and say, do your job for what you were appointed. Be a constitutional head, a sagacious counselor, pour oil over troubled waters. That is not what is playing out now.”

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.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:36- Support TNM

00:01:01- Introduction

00:02:16 -Pahalgam Terror Attack

00:11:43 -Bengaluru Debate

00:51:05- VP vs. Supreme Court 

01:15:21 - Letters

01:21:58 - Recommendations

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

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

In Episode 23 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s dig at Indian startups and the Supreme Court verdict on Tamil Nadu Governor that revived the debate on federalism. Joining them are chairman of Aarin Capital Mohandas Pai, political and policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy, and TNM’s senior news editor Shabbir Ahmed. 

On the startup debate, Pai says, “Delivery-based startups should not be demeaned, they are also a part of the innovation cycle. India has spent just USD 160 billion on startups since 2014. Compare that to China’s USD 845 billion. The problem isn’t delivery apps, it’s the lack of domestic capital and investment in research and development.”

Tara adds, “Amazon started as a delivery platform. To build a deep-tech ecosystem, we need to invest in education, research, and infrastructure. India doesn't lack talent, it lacks systems that support it.”

Pooja points out how only 8% of Indian startups make it beyond 10 years. “We talk about being a 1.4 billion market—but only a small fraction can actually afford these services,” she says.

As the conversation shifts to the State-Governor tussle, Shabbir says, “The recent Supreme Court verdict is a win for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other opposition-ruled states. Governor RN Ravi sitting on bills was a clear abuse of power.”

Tara highlights, ““Only 25% of governors have completed their terms. Most are either political appointees or retired judges. This is not sustainable.”

Dhanya points out, “In Kerala, the last governor sat on a bill for 23 months. The Constitution makers did not probably think that we are going to have governors who will sit on bills for months and not act on them.”

On whether the post of Governor serves a purpose, the panel agrees that reforms are overdue. Tara proposes, “Let’s have governors elected through an electoral college, like the President. Another option would be to abolish the post entirely.”

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.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:24 - Announcements

00:02:19 - Headlines 

00:20:24 -Startups

00:49:41- Governors 

01:21:58 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

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

In Episode 22 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the US crackdown on Indian students through self-deportation notices and detentions and the implications of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 with Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Hindu, and Senior Counsel Zafarullah Khan.

On the scale of the US crackdown, Suhasini says, “What we have seen in the last two months is... governments making it very clear they don't care if due process is followed or not. The idea that the US government now is essentially saying we don't care what's right and wrong… that's never happened before.”

Dhanya says, “There definitely is panic amongst the student community… especially that anything they post on social media, anything they do on their campuses, can come back to bite them.”

On the Indian government’s muted response, Pooja says, “Isn’t there such a mismatch between what we see — the kind of personality we see of Mr Modi in speeches in Parliament, this bravado — but the minute it comes to implementation of that foreign policy… Rest of it has been extremely meek, hasn’t it?”

As the conversation shifts to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, Zafarullah says, “The present amendments do not address the shortcomings in the administration of the Waqf and its properties. The focus is on how to deprive the Waqf of their landed properties. 

On the BJP’s claim of protecting the Muslim community’s interests, Dhanya says, “This is a party which did not give a seat to a Muslim. It stood and watched when Muslims’ homes were demolished; when there were hate speeches made against Muslims. And you want the community to suddenly believe that you want to protect their lands, you want transparency in the system, and that is why you have brought the Waqf Act? That is hypocritical. Nobody’s going to buy that argument.”

Zafarullah adds, “It is an economic deprivation of the community. That is the agenda. To deprive the community of its resources and thereby make them dependent and second-class citizens.”

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:23 - Announcements

00:03:03 - Headlines 

00:13:39 - US Deportations

00:44:51 - Waqf Amendment Act

01:09:13 - Letters

01:14:23 - Recommendations

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

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

In Episode 21 of South Central, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Leena Reghunath discuss the Empuraan controversy and the Telangana government’s use of bulldozers and police force to clear ecologically rich land near Hyderabad Central University, alongside TNM’s Nandini Chandrashekar, lawyer Nikhil Narendran, and environmental journalist Bahar Dutt.

On the outrage over Empuraan, Nikhil says, “What is the problem? If you make a movie using the name of a known convict – Babu Bajrangi – why should the Hindu sentiment be hurt?”

On Mohanlal expressing regret over the film’s contents , Pooja remarks, “If anybody could withstand pressure, it's a star like Mohanlal. There was no call for ban, not even from the BJP. So what was the need to buckle?”

Leena adds, “People like that – soft Hindutva insiders – you don’t need to threaten them with violence. Even a letter saying his honorary position as Lt Colonel will be removed is enough to shake them.”

As the conversation moves to the Hyderabad University land row and the student protests against it, Bahar Dutt says, “We are the land of Chipko. Here we have students who have decided they want to save the forest and the biodiversity in their backyard. Yet we are not celebrating it. Instead, we are lathi-charging and arresting them.”

Nandini, who is also an alumna of HCU, observes, “There is no reason [for the government to take this land.] It is not befitting the Chief Minister to call students cunning jackals.” 

All this and more—tune in.

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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] 

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:49 - Announcements

00:03:03 - Headlines 

00:12:29 - Empuraan  

00:41:34 - HCU Land Row

01:09:10 - Recommendations

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

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

In Episode 20 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the absurdity of targeting Kunal Kamra, why the contempt of court law needs to go, and what the Kiran Bedi tapes reveal, alongside Alok Prasanna Kumar, Co-Founder and Lead, Vidhi Karnataka, and independent journalist Nikita Saxena.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:39:00 - Kiran Bedi Tapes 

00:02:11 - Headlines 

00:13:05 - Kunal Kamra Row 

00:33:38 - Judicial Accountability 

00:54:25 - Kiran Bedi Tapes

01:12:57 - Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

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

Are the arrests of journalists in Telangana a sign that the Revanth Reddy government is misusing power? Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, Leena Reghunath, and Sudipto Mondal speak with Amar Devulapalli, Editor of Mana Telangana, about what these arrests signal for press freedom in the state.

They also speak with independent public health researcher Malu Mohan about why ASHA workers—hailed as heroes during the pandemic—are still denied basic labour rights. From lack of pay to being treated as volunteers despite full-time work, the discussion exposes the deep structural neglect of women in India's public health system.

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Audio Timecodes

00:00:00 - Intro

00:34:00 - Support TNM 

00:02:34 - Headlines 

00:06:28 - Telangana Arrests Journalists 

00:37:08 - Plight of ASHA workers 

01:07:15 - Letters 

01:12:57 - Recommendations 

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

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