Frontline Conversations

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Kovai Sathyan, National Spokesperson of AIADMK, speaks about the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the AIADMK strategy under Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and the party’s battle against DMK. He addresses key issues shaping Tamil Nadu politics today, from the debate over NEET and the impact of the 7.5% internal reservation for government school students, to the controversy around the three-language policy and Centre-State relations. The conversation explores the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP, countering criticism around political dependence and clarifying the dynamics of coalition politics in Tamil Nadu. He also responds to questions on minority votes, internal party challenges, and whether the 2026 election will remain a straight contest between AIADMK and DMK. Chapters: 0:00 | Introduction & stakes for EPS 1:06 | AIADMK alliance with BJP 1:56 | Three language policy 2:34 | NEET 4:13 | Adimai Katchi & Delhi visits 6:44 | Tamil Nadu 2021 & 2026 - Seat sharing & EPS’s leverage 7:41 | EPS as CM face and NDA vs State dynamics 9:21 | DMK and alliances 9:56 | Bringing AMMK on board 11:48 | Is AIADMK weak now? 14:43 | PMK’s family fight and strength 15:17 | Shiv Sena tussel and ECI statement 16:14 | Vijay’s TVK: noise vs ground reality 18:06 | Whose votes Vijay cuts & minority arithmetic 19:31 | AIDMK vs DMK: Dravidian Majors 20:02 | Minority arithmetic in Tamil Nadu Highlights: - AIADMK’s strategy to counter DMK in 2026 - Stand on NEET and medical admissions in Tamil Nadu - Impact of 7.5% reservation on MBBS seats - BJP-AIADMK alliance explained - Vijay’s political entry and its real impact - Minority vote dynamics in Tamil Nadu - EPS as the Chief Ministerial face Perfect for viewers interested in: - Tamil Nadu politics and 2026 election - AIADMK vs DMK rivalry - NEET controversy and education policy - Vijay’s political entry and TVK - BJP alliances in South India - Political interviews and election analysis If you found this discussion insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online-subscription/ Follow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frontlineindia/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/frontline_india Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frontline.magazine LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frontline-magazine-b12921295/ #TamilNaduPolitics #AIADMK #DMK #EPS #Stalin #TN2026 #Elections2026 #NEET #BJPAlliance #VijayPolitics #BreakingPolitics #IndiaPolitics #PoliticalInterview #Frontline

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, former MP and founder of Telangana Jagruthi, K. Kavitha speaks about the Delhi liquor case, her five months in Tihar Jail, and the personal and political fallout that followed. Reflecting on the court’s verdict discharging the accused, Kavitha raises questions about the use of investigative agencies in political battles. Kavitha also addresses the internal crisis within the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), her suspension from the party after two decades of political work, and her decision to resign from both the party and her MLC post. In the conversation, she reflects on the political costs of the case, the reputational damage she faced, and the challenges of being a woman in public life. Chapters: 00:00 | Introduction 01:45 | Delhi liquor case and court verdict 04:20 | Five months in Tihar Jail and personal costs 07:30 | Allegations of political targeting 10:15 | Misogyny and online abuse in politics 12:40 | Rift with BRS and resignation after 20 years 16:30 | Internal criticism of BRS leadership 19:45 | Telangana identity and regional politics 23:10 | TDP, Pawan Kalyan and Telangana autonomy debate 26:00 | Vision for a new political party 29:30 | What Kavitha wants from politics Highlights: - Kavitha’s response to the Delhi liquor case verdict - Her experience spending five months in Tihar Jail - Allegations of political targeting by investigative agencies - The BRS internal crisis and reasons for her resignation - Challenges faced by women in Indian politics - Debate over TTD funds and Andhra leaders inaugurating works in Telangana - Kavitha’s vision for a Telangana-first political party - The future of regional politics in Telangana Perfect for viewers interested in: - Telangana politics and regional parties - The Delhi liquor case and political investigations - BRS internal politics and the KCR family - Women in Indian politics - Telangana identity and regional autonomy debates - Contemporary political interviews and analysis Credits: Host: Ayesha Minhaz Camera: Amarnath Vallakirthi and JKM photography Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Mridula Vijayarangakumar and Kavya Pradeep M If you found this discussion insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online-subscription/ Follow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frontlineindia/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/frontline_india Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frontline.magazine LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frontline-magazine-b12921295/ #KalvakuntlaKavitha #DelhiLiquorCase #frontline magazine #TelanganaPolitics #KCR #BRS #kavithainteriew #Kavitha latest interview #IndianPolitics #TiharJail #TelanganaNews

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Physician-scientist and scientific consultant Dr Karishma S. Kaushik speaks about the realities of building a career in science—beyond awards, breakthroughs, and public recognition. Drawing from her book "The Real Deal", Kaushik reflects on the often-unseen side of scientific life: failed experiments, long periods of uncertainty, and the emotional resilience required to stay the course. She explains the idea of the “leaky pipeline” in STEM, explaining why many women enter science with promise but exit midway through their careers. The conversation explores structural barriers in India’s scientific ecosystem, from limited job opportunities and lack of transparency in hiring to the burden of invisible labour that disproportionately falls on women scientists. Highlights: Why most of science happens between achievements The reality of failed experiments and uncertainty in research The “leaky pipeline” and why women leave STEM careers Differences between research ecosystems in India and the US The role of bureaucracy in slowing down scientific work Why humour and community matter in scientific careers Debunking the myth of the “dream job” Practical advice for young women considering careers in science Women in STEM and career challenges Science careers and PhD life Research culture in India Workplace inequality and gender issues Career reality vs expectations UPSC essay, ethics, and social issues topics Perfect for viewers interested in: Credits: Host: Saatvika Radhakrishna Camera: Kavya Pradeep M Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar If you found this discussion insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, defence analyst, author, and director of the Force Institute, Pravin Sawhney, examines the rapidly escalating war in West Asia following US–Israel strikes on Iran, and Iran's retaliatory attacks across the region. He argues that the conflict is fundamentally a “war of survival” for Iran and contends that it is unlikely to lose so long as it preserves its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sawhney discusses the evolving military dynamics of the conflict, including Iran’s missile capabilities, the limits of Israeli air-defence systems such as Iron Dome, and the growing role of satellite navigation and modern warfare technologies. The conversation also explores the geopolitical dimensions of the crisis. Sawhney analyses the strategic support Iran is receiving from China and Russia, the shifting calculations of Gulf Cooperation Council states hosting US bases, and the economic risks posed by instability in the Strait of Hormuz. He argues that the war could reshape global deterrence politics and accelerate the transition to a multipolar world order. Highlights: -Why Iran views the war as an existential struggle for sovereignty -The military balance between Iran, Israel, and the United States -The role of Chinese satellite systems and modern warfare technologies -Russia and China’s strategic backing of Iran in a multipolar world -The vulnerability of US bases in the Gulf and changing GCC calculations -Economic risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and global energy flows -How the war could reshape global deterrence and world order -India’s diplomatic stance and the debate over its strategic autonomy Perfect for viewers interested in: -West Asia geopolitics and the Iran–US–Israel conflict -Military strategy and modern warfare technologies -The role of China and Russia in global power politics -Energy security and the Strait of Hormuz -India’s foreign policy and strategic autonomy -The emerging multipolar world order Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, author and journalist Sanjoy Hazarika speaks to writer Samrat Choudhury about his latest book, "River Traveller: Journeys On The Tsangpo-Brahmaputra From Tibet To The Bay Of Bengal"—a sweeping blend of memoir, reportage, history, and river journey spanning Tibet, Northeast India, and Bangladesh. The discussion traces the 2,900-kilometre journey of the Brahmaputra, from the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet to the Bay of Bengal, exploring geopolitics, China’s dam-building ambitions, climate uncertainty, and the fragile ecology of one of Asia’s great rivers. Hazarika reflects on travelling across high plateaus and floodplains, filming in Tibet in 1998, encounters with river dolphins, and even a tense moment being chased by pirates in the Bay of Bengal. The conversation also examines migration and citizenship debates in Assam, the complexities of the NRC, and the human stories that unfold along the river’s shifting banks. At its heart, this is also a philosophical meditation on humility, memory, and what it means to be “completely at the mercy of the river”. Perfect for: • Readers of travel writing, memoir, and narrative nonfiction • Students of geopolitics, migration studies, and environmental policy • Those interested in Northeast India, Tibet, Bangladesh, and river ecologies • Viewers concerned about climate change, dams, and water security Credits: Host: Samrat Choudhury Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Mridula Vijayarangakumar and Kavya Pradeep M If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online-subscription/ Follow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frontlineindia/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/frontline_india Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frontline.magazine LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frontline-magazine-b12921295/ #SanjoyHazarika #Brahmaputra #Frontlinemagazine #RiverTraveller #YarlungTsangpo #ChinaDam #RiverDolphin #brahmaputrariver #NRC #Assam #ClimateChange #Hydropower #NortheastIndia #MigrationDebate #BayOfBengal

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) leader John Brittas reflects on what may be the most consequential State election in India today: the Kerala Assembly Election 2026. As Kerala heads into a high-stakes contest, Brittas examines whether the Left Democratic Front (LDF) can retain power for a third consecutive term, what anti-incumbency really means on the ground, and how the rise of the BJP is reshaping Kerala’s traditionally bipolar political system. Is Kerala now witnessing a tripolar shift? And what does that mean for the future of the Left in India? Brittas also addresses pressing national questions—from Centre–State fiscal tensions and allegations of financial discrimination, to the PM CARES transparency debate, minority consolidation, Hindu vote shifts, and the evolving media narrative around the CPI(M). Highlights: -Is there really anti-incumbency against the LDF? -Minority consolidation behind Congress—myth or reality? -Is Kerala moving from bipolar to tripolar politics? -“Soft Hindutva” allegations against the Left examined -Centre vs Kerala: fiscal injustice and federal tensions -Can LDF secure a comfortable majority again? Perfect for: -Students of political science and public policy -Journalists tracking State and national political shifts -Voters seeking deeper insight into Kerala’s 2026 elections -Anyone interested in federalism, democracy, and opposition politics in India Credits: Host- M. G. Radhakrishnan Editing- Razal Pareed Producers- Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this thought-provoking episode of Frontline Conversations, Professor Thomas Müller, who teaches at the University of Würzburg, reflects on one of the most fundamental yet elusive elements of social life: trust. Elaborating on his talk at the Madras Institute of Developmental Studies, Müller challenges the idea that trust can be planned, measured, or engineered in an age dominated by algorithms, ratings, background checks, and AI-driven decision-making. Can trust be rationally chosen, or does it always involve vulnerability and risk? And what happens when societies begin to “trust mistrust” instead? Müller distinguishes trust from reliability, explores how trust forms before conscious reasoning, and examines the psychological and political consequences of widespread distrust—particularly in institutions such as the media, the police, and democratic systems. He also reflects on how social media, algorithms, and artificial intelligence are reshaping how young people relate to each other and to institutions. Highlights: Why trust cannot be fully controlled, measured, or manufactured The difference between trust and reliability, and why it matters How social media and algorithms encourage control rather than trust Declining trust in media institutions and the rise of “trusting mistrust” The emotional and moral dimensions of trust in personal relationships Trust, risk, and vulnerability in the age of AI and reputation platforms What young people should unlearn about trust in hyper-connected spaces Perfect for: Students of sociology, psychology, education, and political theory Journalists and media professionals examining public trust and credibility Young people navigating relationships in algorithm-driven environments Anyone interested in trust, institutions, democracy, and social change Credits: Host: Saatvika Radhakrishna Camera: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Editing: Razal Pareed Producer: Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295   #Trust #Frontline #AIandSociety #thomasmüller #MediaCrisis #SocialMedia #GenZ #Algorithms #MediaStudies #PodcastIndia #IntellectualContent #Frontlinemagazine #CriticalThinking #PublicDiscourse

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, public intellectual and activist G. N. Devy explains why India’s upcoming caste census risks repeating a historic injustice by failing to properly count denotified and nomadic tribes (DNTs)—communities criminalised under colonial rule and still living with its consequences. Tracing the origins of stigma to the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, Devy details how entire communities were branded as criminals, confined to settlements, forced into unpaid labour, and subjected to surveillance. Although these communities were officially “denotified” in 1952, he argues that the prejudice never ended—it merely shifted into policing practices, judicial indifference, and social exclusion. Devy, who founded the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group, explains why the absence of reliable census data has kept DNTs invisible in policy-making for decades. He makes a strong case for a separate census column and subcategorisation, arguing that the central issue facing these communities is not just poverty, but a deep loss of dignity rooted in historical criminalisation. Highlights: -How the Criminal Tribes Act continues to shape modern policing -The demand for a separate DNT column in the caste census -Why dignity, not just welfare, is the core issue -How nomadic and semi-nomadic livelihoods complicate enumeration -What census data means for justice, planning, and democracy -Why missing this census could delay justice by decades Perfect for viewers interested in: -Denotified and nomadic tribes in India -Caste census and enumeration politics -Colonial legacies and modern governance -Policing, stigma, and preventive detention -Human rights and constitutional justice -Marginalised communities and state accountability Credits: Host: Amey Tirodkar Editing: Razal Pareed Producer: Kavya Pradeep M Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, filmmaker and theatre director Dakxin Chharra speaks about what it means to grow up in a community historically branded as “criminal”—and why that colonial stigma continues to shape policing, housing, cinema, and everyday life in India. Chharra discusses his journey from community theatre in Ahmedabad to founding Budhan Theatre, one of India’s most influential grassroots cultural movements. He explains how art became a form of survival and resistance for communities routinely pushed to the margins of citizenship. Drawing on lived experience, Chharra challenges the idea that Indian cinema and cultural institutions are neutral spaces. He argues that while stories of denotified tribes are often welcomed, storytellers from these communities are systematically excluded from resources, funding, and creative control. Through personal anecdotes and industry experiences, he exposes how narratives are frequently appropriated, sanitised, or retold without those who have lived them. Highlights: -What it means to be born into a “criminalised” community -Why colonial stigma still shapes policing and public perception -How Budhan Theatre turned art into a tool for justice -The politics of funding, caste, and control in Indian cinema -Why lived experience matters in representation -How theatre helped secure housing rights through the courts -Why denotified tribes remain invisible or misrepresented on screen Perfect for viewers interested in: -Denotified and nomadic tribes in India -Caste, community, and state violence -Indian cinema and cultural exclusion -Art as resistance and political theatre -Police custodial violence and human rights -Marginalised voices in storytelling Credits: Host: Saatvika Radhakrishna Editing: Razal Pareed Camera and Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Author Asha Gopinathan speaks to Nandita Jayaraj about her book "Anna Mani: The Uncut Diamond", a biography of one of India’s most important yet overlooked scientists. The discussion traces the life and work of Anna Mani, a pioneering meteorologist whose contributions shaped India’s weather science, atmospheric research, and scientific instrumentation in the decades after Independence. Drawing on archival material, personal letters, and scientific papers, Gopinathan reflects on Mani’s journey from C.V. Raman’s laboratory to the India Meteorological Department, and on the institutional culture of science she helped build. The discussion also examines broader questions of recognition, gender, and nation-building in Indian science, including the circumstances under which Anna Mani was denied a PhD despite completing the required work, and what her career reveals about how scientific labour is valued and remembered. Highlights: Anna Mani’s contributions to Indian meteorology and atmospheric physics Building indigenous scientific instruments in post-Independence India Science as nation-building, beyond publications and prestige Gender, recognition, and the denial of a PhD The culture of scientific institutions then and now Why Anna Mani’s legacy still matters today History of Indian science and scientific institutions Women in science and STEM in India Meteorology, atmospheric research, and weather data Science, policy, and nation-building Forgotten figures in Indian intellectual history Perfect for those interested in: Credits: Host: Nandita Jayaraj Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, former Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat speaks about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the growing controversy around large-scale voter deletions across several States. Drawing on his experience at the helm of the Election Commission of India (ECI), Rawat examines the legal basis of the SIR, the administrative pressures on Booth Level Officers, and the unintended consequences of placing a heavy burden of verification on voters themselves. He flags serious concerns over arbitrary deletions, logical discrepancies, and the fear and confusion the process has generated among ordinary citizens. Highlights: -Why the current SIR has led to unusually high voter deletions -The burden placed on voters and booth-level officers -Legal limits on demanding proof of citizenship -NRC fears and how SIR differs from Assam’s NRC -Risks to electoral credibility if eligible voters are excluded -The need for a more liberal, voter-friendly approach Perfect for those interested in: -Electoral reforms and voter list revisions in India -The functioning and credibility of the ECI -Voter disenfranchisement and democratic rights -SIR controversies in UP, Bihar, and other States Credits: Host: Soni Mishra Camera: Vedaant Lakhera and Vitasta Kaul Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Vamsi Vakulabharanam, co-director of the Asian Political Economy Program and associate professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, unpacks how caste operates in Indian cities, often invisibly, but no less powerfully than in villages. Speaking from the Madras Institute of Developmental Studies, where he delivered a lecture on Caste and Spaces in Indian Cities, Vakulabharanam challenges the popular belief that urbanisation dissolves caste hierarchies. Drawing on census data and comparative urban research, he shows how Indian cities remain deeply segregated by caste, class, and religion even when they appear socially mixed on the surface. He explains how cities can feel liberating for those escaping rural oppression, yet remain profoundly unequal spaces shaped by capitalism, housing markets, labour markets, and historical patterns of settlement. Comparing Indian cities with American cities, Vakulabharanam explores how caste-based segregation mirrors racial segregation elsewhere, while also tracing how histories of colonialism, migration, and industry continue to shape cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai. Highlights: -Why caste does not disappear in cities and how it reorganises itself -How urban segregation works through housing, labour, and credit markets -What mixed neighbourhoods can (and cannot) achieve -Drawing parallels between caste segregation in India and racial segregation in the US -The historical roots of urban inequality in cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai -Why “world-class” city visions often deepen exclusion -What fighting caste discrimination in cities realistically looks like today Perfect for viewers interested in: -Caste, class, and urban inequality in India -Indian cities, housing segregation, and labour markets -Comparative urban studies and political economy -Neoliberalism, smart cities, and development politics Credits: Host: Saatvika Radhakrishna Editing: Razal Pareed Camera and Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Special thanks to the Madras Institute of Development Studies for facilitating the interview and providing the venue. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online...#frontlineconversations #casteandcities #urbancaste #indiancities #urbaninequality #politicaleconomy #housingsegregation #labourmarkets #ambedkar #annihilationofcaste #smartcities #neoliberalism #socialjustice #developmentstudies Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, writer and journalist Rudraneil Sengupta speaks about his debut crime novel, “The Beast Within”, a gritty, dark work of crime fiction set in Delhi. Drawing on years of crime reportage, Sengupta explains why fiction, rather than non-fiction, allowed him to capture the deeper truths of crime, policing, and the nature of evil. Sengupta discusses how his close access to police officers, crime branch officials, and legal processes shaped the novel’s meticulous attention to police and bureaucratic procedure. He explains how real cases, field experiences, and encounters were decontextualised and reimagined to build a fictional narrative grounded in reality. The conversation also explores character creation, particularly the moral complexity of police officers and the city of Delhi itself as a living, breathing presence in the novel. Highlights: -Why Rudraneil Sengupta turned from non-fiction to crime fiction -How real police work and case files shaped “The Beast Within” -Inside the bureaucratic realities of Indian policing -Blending real crimes with fictional storytelling -Crime novels as social histories of cities and cultures Perfect for those interested in: -Indian crime fiction and noir -Police procedure and legal realism in novels -Delhi as a literary and social landscape -Global traditions of crime writing Credits: Host: Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay Camera: Jayanta Shaw Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

Published on September 29, 2025. In this exclusive interview with Frontline, Siddiq Wahid, a Distinguished Professor from Shiv Nadar University and an expert on Tibet and Ladakh affairs, comments on the escalating crisis in Ladakh. He argues that the Centre must worry as growing discontent in the region threatens to take an unpredictable turn. With 75 years of demonstrated loyalty to India now being tested, Ladakh's patience is wearing thin over unfulfilled promises made by the Central government, according to the historian. Professor Wahid, who has written extensively on the region, warns that the Centre's handling of the peaceful protest movement—which seeks protection for Ladakh's unique identity, culture, language, land, and jobs—risks pushing a new generation of Ladakhi leaders into agitational and confrontational modes. This shift in leadership from older, calmer voices to younger, more assertive ones represents a dangerous inflexion point that the Central government cannot afford to ignore, particularly in a border region of such strategic importance. What makes the current situation especially significant is the unprecedented unity among Ladakh's diverse population of 3,00,000—including Muslims (Shia and Sunni), Buddhists, and Christians—with traditional divisions between Kargil and Leh, and between religious communities, being erased in the face of common concerns. Professor Wahid says this unity is a "headache" for the Centre, especially given what he describes as the BJP's strategy of exploiting fault lines. The primary concern driving this unified movement is jobs, compounded by frustrations over outsiders controlling the region's bureaucracy, administration, and police without understanding local sensibilities. He emphasises that Ladakh is resisting attempts at fragmentation and that its demands for constitutional protections are well within India's legal framework. He challenges what he calls "plain silly" accusations against prominent activists like Sonam Wangchuk, while stressing that the real challenge for Ladakhis is maintaining their unity and keeping their struggle peaceful—even as Delhi's continued neglect threatens to undermine the faith of border communities. Perfect for: Policy experts Historians Students of Indian politics Those interested in Ladakh Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Camera: Adil Abass and Idrees Abbas Produced by Saatvika Radhakrishna Editing by Razal Pareed

Published on September 12, 2025. In this episode of Frontline Conversations, writer and journalist Aatish Taseer discusses his new book “A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile”. A memoir-travelogue, the book probes belonging, identity, and migration in a world where history is politicised and purity is weaponised. Taseer reflects on the fragility of India’s urban elite, the failures of the Opposition, and how Narendra Modi’s rise exposed deep vulnerabilities in Indian democracy. He also speaks of his own exile after his OCI card was revoked in 2019, and how it reshaped his sense of self, privilege, and home. From Morocco and Uzbekistan to Andalusia and Sri Lanka, Taseer traces the afterlives of empire, the rise of ethno-nationalism, and the fragile promise of reconciliation in post-colonial societies. Highlights: -How A Return to Self came together after Taseer’s exile -India’s elite, their arrogance, and their decline -Opposition’s failure to reinvent itself after Modi’s rise -Privilege, exile, and belonging in a politicised world -The global wave of cultural purity and populism -Islam’s erasure from Andalusia and echoes in Ayodhya -Lessons from Sri Lanka and India on decolonisation -What “home” means when exile becomes permanent Perfect for: -Readers of memoirs and travelogues with political depth -Those interested in identity, migration, and belonging -Viewers curious about India’s democratic crisis under Modi -Students of post-colonial studies and global populism -Anyone seeking insights on exile, home, and creativity Credits: Host: Abhinav Chakraborty Producer: Kavya Pradeep M Creative assistance: Mridula Vijayarangakumar Editing: Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

Published on September 8, 2025. In her new book, India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent, Audrey Truschke once calls historians “killjoys”. It is, she tells Frontline, because people often like to weave “fantastic, semi-mythical ideas about the past where everything comes together”. The task of the historian, then, is to untie these neat ribbons of conviction and insist: it was not like that, no, it was not like that at all. This, she admits, is hardly the most pleasant part of her work. “But be mad at the truth,” she says. “Don’t be mad at the messenger.” Never one to shirk from controversy or run away from a fight, Truschke, a professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University, has long been a target of the Hindu Right, not least for her book-length reappraisal of Aurangzeb. With India, however, her lens widens. Her canvas becomes panoramic, and her questions become yet more expansive. What distinguishes Truschke’s telling of South Asian history is her instinct to foreground the underdog. Whether it is the manual scavengers of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the nuns who shaped early Buddhism, or the labourers who sustained the Mughal empire, she coaxes us to look at the subcontinent’s past from the bottom up: “I think it is incumbent upon historians not to simply do the easiest thing—not to keep using the same texts over and over, telling only the most obvious stories—but instead to make a few corrective moves, and seek out lesser-told narratives”. Refusing the temptation to view the past through the low-hanging prism of the present, Truschke shows instead how yesterday’s discrimination deepens into today’s inequity. While Truschke expertly traces the genealogy of hate in her book, she cautions against blaming history for our prevailing ills and bigotry. “I, for instance, do not think that Manu is responsible for [caste] prejudice in modern-day India. Modern Indians who exhibit those prejudices are responsible for them,” she says. Asked if India will ever move past its caste bias, her reply is firm: “Assuming our world does not come to a screeching halt, I absolutely think Indians will.” This belief in a brighter tomorrow is also underwritten by a personal hope. Truschke longs for the day when travel to India is once again safe for her. “Not being able to travel to India is one of the great sadnesses of my life,” she says. “I look forward to the day it moves to a better place, one that welcomes historians—both its own citizens and those from the international community.” Perfect for: 1) Students of South Asian history 2) Historians 3) Sociologists 4) Anyone interested in Indian history Credits: Interview by Shreevatsa Nevatia Edited by Razal Pareed Produced by Team Frontline

Originally published on July 10, 2025 In this episode of Frontline Conversations, filmmaker Honey Trehan speaks about his upcoming biographical film "Punjab '95", which has run into a wall of censorship. The film, based on the life and legacy of Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, revisits a dark, documented chapter of India’s recent history—mass disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the abuse of power during the Punjab insurgency. Although "Punjab '95" is based on court records and official documents, the Censor Board has stalled its release by demanding over 120 cuts, including the removal of factual references to Punjab, specific dates, cremation records, and details of Khalra’s torture and abduction. Trehan opens up about the politically charged certification process, which he describes as a backdoor attempt to rewrite historical memory and suppress free expression. Context: Trehan reflects on why the current political and cultural climate makes it even more important to document resistance figures like Jaswant Singh Khalra. He argues that the real threat to law and order is not the film but the silencing of history. "Punjab '95" is not just about state violence in the 1990s—it is about the battle for democratic freedoms today. Highlights: -Why "Punjab '95" is facing censorship despite being based on court-verified facts -How Honey Trehan compares CBFC’s overreach to the very abuse of power the film critiques -The story of Jaswant Singh Khalra and the estimated 25,000 extrajudicial killings in Punjab -The legal hurdles, festival withdrawals, and negotiations around the film's certification -Why Trehan believes Khalra’s story is as important as that of Bhagat Singh or Sardar Udham -What the film’s censorship reveals about freedom of expression in India today Perfect for: -Viewers following debates on censorship, civil liberties, and political cinema in India -Students of history, journalism, law, and human rights -Filmmakers and artists facing state surveillance or suppression -Citizens concerned about freedom of speech and constitutional rights -Anyone interested in Punjab’s history and resistance movements Credits: Interview by Ashutosh Sharma Produced by Kavya Pradeep M. Edited by Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

Published on August 22, 2025 In this episode of Frontline Conversations, political activist Yogendra Yadav talks about the growing crisis of credibility in the Election Commission of India. He criticises the Commission’s unusual press conference over mass voter deletions in Bihar under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), calling it the “biggest disenfranchisement drive in history.” Yadav warns that by making citizens prove their own citizenship, the Commission is undermining the foundations of Indian democracy. Drawing on data, legal arguments, and his Supreme Court petition, Yadav talks about the decline of public trust in the Election Commission, the targeting of research groups like CSDS, and the risks of repeating the Bihar exercise across the country. He also explains what the Commission must do to regain credibility and ensure fair elections. Context: The Election Commission’s SIR in Bihar asked voters to prove their citizenship with documents many don’t have. Critics say this could leave millions, especially the poor, without the right to vote. Public trust in the Commission is now at a historic low. Yadav, who has taken the issue to court, sees this as part of a bigger debate on citizenship, voter rights, and the future of Indian democracy. Highlights: -Why the Election Commission’s press conference backfired -SIR in Bihar as the largest disenfranchisement exercise in history -Declining public trust in the Election Commission -FIRs and show-cause notices against CSDS and academic institutions -What the Election Commission must do to restore credibility Perfect for: -Students and researchers of Indian politics and democracy -Journalists, legal experts, and policy analysts -Viewers concerned about elections, citizenship, and civil liberties Credits: Host: Soni Mishra Producer: Kavya Pradeep M Editor: Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

Published on August 28, 2025 In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Sociologist and professor Surinder Jodhka speaks about caste, inequality, and education in contemporary India. Drawing on decades of research, Jodhka explores the paradoxes of caste in a democratic nation: even as modernisation and liberalisation promised its decline, caste has become more visible and complex. He discusses how caste operates in India’s neoliberal economy, the myth of “castelessness,” and the persistence of privilege across generations. The conversation highlights how private schooling and higher education reproduce inequalities, how affirmative action has reshaped access to opportunity, and why education remains a crucial site for struggles over equality, dignity, and citizenship. Context: Post-liberalisation India has seen rising aspirations, yet caste-based inequalities endure across schools, universities, and job markets. While affirmative action has enabled new mobility, debates around meritocracy and discrimination continue. Jodhka places these issues within a larger global discussion on inequality and democracy. Highlights: -Why caste remains central in a democratic India -Paradoxes of caste in the neoliberal economy -The myth of “castelessness” and its social consequences -How private schools reproduce privilege and exclusion -Affirmative action, meritocracy, and higher education debates -Education as a site of contestation over equality and justice -Caste as a global issue in universities abroad Perfect for: -Students and researchers of sociology, caste, and education -Journalists, educators, and policy thinkers -Viewers interested in inequality, democracy, and social justice Credits: Host: Vishal Vasanthakumar Producer: Kavya Pradeep M Editor: Razal Pareed Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online...#surinderjodhka #caste #sociology #education #meritocracy #inequality #socialjustice #indianpolitics #democracy #neoliberalism #highereducation #castelessness #india Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295

Published on August 19, 2025 Sanjay Kumar, co-director of Lokniti-CSDS and a seasoned psephologist, offers a lucid critique of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, a first such exercise in over two decades. He notes the need to excise duplicates and update obsolete entries—but warns that the heavy documentation requirements and exclusion of widely held ID proofs (such as Aadhaar, ration cards, and voter ID) risk disenfranchising large segments of voters, especially migrants and those added after 2003. He states that, although the SIR is framed as a lawful effort to ensure accuracy, its implementation—requiring voters to proactively submit forms and supplementary documents—could unfairly penalise many, undermining the very democratic inclusivity it purports to uphold. The process's timing and its narrow geographic focus on Bihar have amplified political anxieties that the revision may be leveraged for partisan gain rather than electoral hygiene. Opposition voices, including the INDIA bloc, decry what they view as systemic bias; legal challenges and protests allege the exercise privileges the ruling coalition by selectively excluding likely dissenting voters. Amidst mounting political heat, the Supreme Court intervened on 14 August 2025 with interim directions: the ECI must disclose the names and reasons for deletion of over 65 lakh electors, allow Aadhaar and EPIC to support objections, and publish data at district and booth levels. Kumar’s concerns thus resonate beyond procedural critique—they underscore how administrative reform must tread carefully to reinforce, not erode, democratic legitimacy. Credits: Interview by Saba Naqvi Produced by Abhinav Chakraborty and Saatvika Radhakrishna Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295