Jailed student activist Umar Khalid’s friends and mentor Banojyotsna Lahiri, Anirban Bhattacharya, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta join TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal to discuss their book ‘Umar Khalid and His World’. 

The guests read excerpts from the book, and discuss their student days in JNU, the formation of BASO, the evolution of the anti-CAA protests, and what Shaheenbagh meant for the movement. The speakers also discuss the distance that liberal society keeps from Sharjeel Imam, another student activist who has been jailed for over six years. 

Sudipto also invites them to discuss the prioritisation of the individual over the ideology in recent political history, in the context of actor Vijay’s electoral victory in Tamil Nadu.

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Camera: Ajay R

Producer: Maria Teresa Raju

Editor: Dharini Prabaharan

Design: Krishna Kumar

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

In the final episode of the special What’s Your Ism sub series titled “Epar Opar Hahakaar”, TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal sits down with political scientist Dr Navine Murshid, who authored the book “India’s Bangladesh Problem”.

In an in-depth conversation, they discuss the current political scenario of Bangladesh post the July 2024 uprising. They also speak about the origins of the Bengali Muslim community, one of the world’s youngest Muslim populations. The conversation also moves to the marginalisations faced by the Dalits and Muslims on either side of the border, and discusses historical efforts at Dalit-Muslim unity.

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Camera: Ajay R, Megha Mukundan

Producer: Maria Teresa Raju, Dharini Prabaharan

Editor: Jaseem Ali

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Who picks Bengaluru’s garbage? And why are Bengali Muslim workers among the most vulnerable labourers in Indian cities today?

In this episode of What's Your Ism?, Sudipto Mondal speaks with trade unionist and human rights activist R Khaleemulah about migrant labour, communal politics, garbage contractors, police violence, and the hidden economy behind waste processing in Bengaluru.

The discussion explores labour exploitation, trafficking, anti-Bangladeshi rhetoric, and the human cost of keeping cities clean.

This conversation is in Dakhani, a south Indian language. English subtitles available on YouTube

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Camera: Ajay R, Megha Mukundan

Producer& Editor: Dharini Prabaharan

Design: Krishna Kumar

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

One of West Bengal’s most controversial poll seasons just concluded, with the Bharatiya Janata Party defeating the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government. 

This election season was different than usual because of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls that preceded it. Thousands of voters found themselves disenfranchised, and the narrative of the ‘infiltrator’ was amplified several times over. Bearing the brunt of it all is a marginalised minority, the Bengali Muslims.

Now that polls are done, it's time for a quick history lesson. In this week’s What’s Your Ism, Sudipto Mondal & Dr Nadira Khatun offer insightful glimpses into Bengal history, especially that of its Muslim populace.

For the discussion, they rely on some key texts, like the 1871 Hunter Commission Report, 1921 Census Report, Richard Eaton’s writings, & Navine Murshid’ ‘India’s Bangladesh Problem’.

Watch the full episode as Sudipto and Nadira engage in an in-depth and insightful discussion.

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Producer: Dharini Prabaharan, Vignesh Manickam

Edit: Vignesh Manickam

Promo: Dharini Prabaharan, Krishna Kumar

Design: Dharini Prabaharan

Camera: Ajay R, Bhuvan Malik

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What does justice really look like for India’s working class and oppressed communities? This week on What’s Your Ism?, Clifton D’Rozario, lawyer, CPIML leader, and long-time grassroots activist, joins host Sudipto Mondal to talk about fighting evictions, caste injustice, and class exploitation. From representing informal workers and slum residents to critiquing the limits of India’s judiciary and Constitution, Clifton lays out his Ambedkarite Marxist approach to revolution, rights, and redistribution.

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Producer: Maria Teresa Raju, Bhuvan Malik

Edit: Dharini Prabhaharan

Promo: Nikhil Sekhar, Jaseem Ali

Design: Krishna Kumar

Camera: Ajay R

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

From Mandela to Mamdani, and from Trump to Malema, this is a global story of resistance, betrayal, and unfinished revolutions.

In Episode 47 of What’s Your Ism?, journalist Nic Dawes speaks with Sudipto Mondal about the promises of liberation, the politics of redistribution, and whether the Left can still imagine a future beyond fear.

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Producer: Bhuvan Malik, Editor: Jaseem Ali, Production Assistance: Prajwal Bhatt, Shone Satheesh, Aarav Gupta

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Who are the real hands behind India’s clean cities? Sudipto reflects on the civic workers we rarely see, Dalit and migrant labourers who segregate waste, drive garbage trucks, and often live without rights or recognition. This episode follows the money, the power, and the politics behind urban sanitation. Anchored in his conversation with Du Saraswathi, and framed by Shailaja Paik’s work on caste and morality.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik and Edited by Jaseem Ali

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 What happens when movements don’t speak to each other? In Episode 45 of What’s Your Ism?, Sudipto Mondal is joined by Du Saraswathi — who has spent decades bridging Ambedkarism, Marxism, and feminism. A conversation about caste, cleaning, theatre, and what it takes to be seen in a world that looks away.

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In this Reflections episode, we return to Dandakaranya — a region where governments change, but the war stays the same. From banned militias reborn in uniform, to Maoist martyrdom that costs young Adivasi lives, this episode unpacks the contradictions inside the State, the rebels, and civil society. Featuring the voices of Prof. G Haragopal and Degree Prasad Chauhan, with reflections on who speaks for peace — and who keeps dying in its name.

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In this episode of What’s Your Ism?, human rights activist Degree Prasad Chauhan discusses how Adivasi identities have been appropriated by Maoist movements. He delves into the symbolic use of figures like Hidma, highlighting the lack of genuine representation and decision-making power for Adivasis within these movements. Chauhan also critiques civil society's role in sidelining Adivasi voices, emphasizing the need for authentic leadership and inclusion in dialogues about their own futures.

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