Truth vs Hype

The FIR filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against Reliance Industries and ministers in the UPA government, on allegations that they jointly rigged the prices of gas, has brought into the mainstream headlines a highly technical and complex issue. This week, we try and cut through the fog of jargon, and sift through the claims and counterclaims to understand if there is any substance in the claims made by AAP, and in the defense mounted by Reliance, and the government.

The Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi has gone, an exit as dramatic as its entry into power. This week, we report from the ground on the AAP's national campaign: will the political brinkmanship in Delhi dent, or help their national prospects? Does the AAP have the money and manpower to fight the Lok Sabha elections? As they scale up, is there a fear of diluting the principles they claim to profess?

Rahul Gandhi's claim that in 1984, the Congress government protected the Sikhs, has reopened old wounds. This week we bring out old and new evidence which suggests how the regime of the day was not just complicit in the violence, but made every attempt to suppress justice for over three decades.

In a week where Rahul Gandhi was declared the head of the Congress 2014 campaign, in Amethi, the bastion of the Nehru- Gandhi family, new challenges have emerged. Is the Aam Aadmi Party challenge to Rahul Gandhi serious or symbolic? Does India's premier political dynasty face a greater threat from within?

As the Aam Aadmi Party goes national, the eyes of the country are on its government in Delhi. The big question on everyone's mind: can a bunch of former anti-corruption crusaders make the transition to good administrators? This week, we track 4 debutante ministers of the AAP, from their homes to their offices, for a behind the scenes glimpse into the bewildering and exciting world of AAP ki Sarkar.

The Uttar Pradesh government has justifiably come under intense criticism for forcibly trying to close down the refugee camps created after the Muzaffarnagar riots. But the reluctance of refugees to return is mired in a more complex reality: yes, there is still fear of violence if they return, and many of the riots accused are roaming free. But there is also disturbing evidence of powerful vested interests who might be prolonging the refugee crisis as a proxy grab land, or to further their political careers.

From groundbreaking investigations into alleged fake encounters in Gujarat, to the inside story of Snoop-Gate, to the political design behind the Muzaffarnagar riots, this week's episode looks at the best moments of Truth vs Hype from 2013.

In the refugee camps spawned by the Muzaffarnagar riots, the intense cold is turning out to be acutely risky for the very young. There is the immediate danger of injury, even fatal illnesses. But there is a deeper danger, of a generation dislocated from a shared childhood, growing up in a polarised Uttar Pradesh, where old community ties are unravelling.

Delhi's record-breaking turnout has raised a key question: why did higher numbers of voters come out, and who gains? Going by the exit polls, it looks like the BJP might win by an edge. But go by social media and it appears that the thousands of people who queued up were enthused by the Aam Aadmi Party. This week, we ask whether platforms like Twitter and Facebook simply amplify levels of interest, or can they directly impact voting patterns? Is it even possible to answer these questions, given the new findings on how parties might be faking the extent of their online support? And can strong social media presence ever substitute for a strong grassroots mobilisation needed to win elections?

On Truth vs Hype this week, we report from Delhi's slums and resettlement colonies, which hold the key to power, and yet are neglected by political parties until election time. We trace a history of unkept promises, which ensures that these areas remain uncertain of their rights and their legal status, perfect for political exploitation.