Frontline Conversations

The death of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student Sahil Wakode has renewed questions about caste discrimination in India’s higher educational institutions. Eminent sociologist and former UGC Chairman Sukhadeo Thorat discusses the issue and the need for stronger mechanisms to address discrimination on campuses. In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Thorat draws on his 2007 AIIMS inquiry to describe discrimination faced by SC students in classrooms, examinations, hostels and campus life. He discusses the limits of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and the UGC’s 2026 equity regulations, and argues that campus discrimination needs a dedicated legal framework with enforceable penalties. The conversation also covers the debate over merit and reservation, greater SC/ST representation among teachers, the importance of constitutional values on campuses, Thorat’s proposal for an independent body to address discrimination across the education system, and caste discrimination in schools. Chapters: 00:00 | Caste Discrimination in Higher Education 01:38 | AIIMS Caste Discrimination Report: What Went Wrong? 05:56 | Can Policy Stop Caste Discrimination on Campuses? 07:52 | Why India Needs a Law Against Campus Discrimination 10:41 | Merit vs Reservation: Rethinking Merit in Education 12:33 | Reservation, Equal Opportunity and Caste Inequality 16:56 | UGC Equity Regulations 2026: Key Gaps and Concerns 23:02 | University Reservation Roster: What Is the Problem? 26:03 | How Can Universities Address Caste Discrimination? 29:02 | Should India Have an Independent Anti-Discrimination Body? 29:51 | Caste Discrimination in Schools: The Overlooked Crisis 31:10 | IIT Bombay Case: Caste Discrimination and Atrocity Act 33:13 | Caste Discrimination in IITs Perfect for viewers interested in: - Caste discrimination - Higher education in India - Sukhadeo Thorat - UGC equity regulations - SC/ST students - Reservation policy - Dalit rights - IIT Bombay - Caste and education - Social justice Credits: Host: Amey Tirodkar Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Muhammed Mukhtar If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations on politics, society, education and democracy. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - /frontlineindia X - Frontline (@frontline_india) on X Instagram - /frontline.magazine LinkedIn - /frontline-magazine-b12921295 #SukhadeoThorat #CasteDiscrimination #HigherEducation #UGC #SC/ST #Reservation #DalitRights #CasteAndEducation #IITBombay #SahilWakode #SocialJustice #IndianEducation #FrontlineConversations #FrontlineMagazine

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Sanjay Kumar, political analyst and former director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), discusses the political dynamics shaping Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election and what they could mean for national politics. Kumar examines the Samajwadi Party’s Pichhada-Dalit-Alpsankhyak (PDA) strategy and its core support among Muslims, Yadavs and Dalits, and whether the party can expand its social coalition enough to challenge the BJP. He also discusses the decline of the BSP, the changing Dalit vote, the possibility of new political forces emerging in Uttar Pradesh, and the increasingly bipolar nature of the State’s electoral politics. The conversation looks at the BJP’s bid for a third consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh, the role of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the party’s campaign, and the significance of Brahmin voters. Kumar also explains why he believes the 2024 Lok Sabha election should not be used as a straightforward guide to the 2027 Assembly election. Chapters: 0:00 | UP Politics 2027: What to Expect 2:51 | Samajwadi Party’s PDA Vote Base Explained 5:19 | SP’s MY Factor: Muslim-Yadav Vote 6:48 | Can BJP Win a Third Term in Uttar Pradesh? 10:19 | BSP Decline: Where Did the Dalit Vote Go? 13:32 | UP Politics: BJP vs Samajwadi Party 15:13 | Can a New Political Party Rise in UP? 18:17 | Why Uttar Pradesh Matters to Congress 20:45 | Women Voters and UP Election Politics 22:38 | Yogi Adityanath and BJP’s UP Strategy 24:00 | UP Politics and the 2029 Lok Sabha Election 26:00 | Brahmin Vote in Uttar Pradesh 28:16 | Can SP Expand Its PDA Alliance? 32:16 | Why BJP and SP Need Smaller Caste Allies 35:13 | Will 2027 UP Results Predict 2029? 36:44 | Future of UP Politics Perfect for viewers interested in: Uttar Pradesh politics UP Assembly election 2027 Samajwadi Party BJP Yogi Adityanath BSP and Mayawati Dalit politics Indian elections Credits: Host: Anand Mishra Camera: Deepanshu Chhabra and Parveen Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Muhammed Mukhtar T H If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations on politics, society and democracy. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia X - Frontline (@frontline_india) on X Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295 #SanjayKumar #UttarPradesh #UPPolitics #UPElections #SamajwadiParty #BJP #YogiAdityanath #AkhileshYadav #BSP #Mayawati #DalitPolitics #CastePolitics #IndianPolitics #FrontlineConversations #FrontlineMagazine

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MP from Srinagar, confirms that he will resign from the party on November 3, 2026, saying Farooq Abdullah’s recent statement on Article 370 left him with no reason to reconsider. Mehdi speaks about his growing differences with JKNC over Article 370, 35A and the demand for restoration of constitutional protections for Jammu and Kashmir. He accuses the party leadership of abandoning the political agenda on which it sought the people’s mandate. The conversation also looks at Mehdi’s criticism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s political positions, the contrast between the National Conference and Congress on constitutional protections, minorities and Kashmir, and his possible political path after leaving the party, including continued engagement with the Congress. Highlights: Ruhullah Mehdi on his differences with the JKNC Why he says the party has abandoned the fight for Article 370 Farooq Abdullah’s statement and Ruhullah’s decision to resign Omar Abdullah’s political positions and alleged inconsistencies The JKNC manifesto and the promise of constitutional protections Congress’ position on Kashmir and constitutional rights Ruhullah’s response to allegations that he is backed by outside forces His plans after resigning from JKNC Possible political understanding with Congress His position on the rights of Indian Muslims and other oppressed communities Why he believes he can win a fresh mandate from Srinagar Agha Saeed Ruhullah Mehdi Jammu and Kashmir politics National Conference Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah Article 370 and Article 35A Congress Constitutional rights Minority rights Indian politics Perfect for viewers interested in: Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Camera: Idrees Abbas Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Muhammed Mukhtar T H If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations on politics, society and democracy. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia X - Frontline (@frontline_india) on X Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295 #AghaRuhullahMehdi #KashmirPolitics #JammuAndKashmir #Article370 #Article35A #NationalConference #OmarAbdullah #FarooqAbdullah #Srinagar #IndianPolitics #ConstitutionalRights #FrontlineConversations #FrontlineMagazine

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Gowhar Geelani speaks with Michael Kugelman, resident senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, about US policy towards India in the context of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor's recent visit to Kashmir and Leh. Kugelman discusses whether Gor’s remarks in Srinagar, including his description of "Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India", signal a shift in Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir. Kugelman also examines the implications for India of China’s close relationship with Pakistan and the recent defence pact between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. He discusses how the emerging security architecture in West Asia could affect India’s strategic interests, whether Delhi should be concerned about the new defence alignment, and what role the US and China could play in the region. The conversation also looks at India-US relations amid recent tensions, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), India’s position in a more multipolar world, and Russia’s continuing role in South Asia. Highlights: Sergio Gor’s Kashmir and Leh visit Has US policy on Kashmir shifted? What Gor’s remarks mean for India-US relations The Türkiye-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence pact The US security role in West Asia China’s growing role in the regional security architecture India’s strategic interests in the Middle East The future of India-US relations CPEC and the China-Pakistan relationship India-US relations India-Pakistan relations Kashmir and US policy Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey relations Middle East geopolitics China-Pakistan relations China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative India and the Gulf India-Israel relations US foreign policy Perfect for viewers interested in: Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Muhammed Mukhtar T H If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline Digital: ⁠https://frontline.thehindu.com/online...⁠ Follow us on: Facebook - ⁠  / frontlineindia  ⁠ Twitter - Frontline (@frontline_india) / X Instagram - ⁠  / frontline.magazine  ⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠  / frontline-magazine-b12921295  

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Sagrika Rajora of Voters’ Adhikar Manch discusses the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi and the large-scale deletion of voters from the electoral register. She speaks about the impact of the exercise on migrants, working-class people, residents of slums and resettlement colonies, minorities and people with unstable housing. The conversation also looks at the discretion given to BLOs, the difficulties of tracing voter records from earlier electoral rolls, and the use of Form 6 for people whose names have been excluded. Rajora questions whether the process provides adequate notice, due process and safeguards against arbitrary deletion. She also discusses concerns about selective exclusion, including the experiences of Muslim voters, transgender people and other marginalised groups, while stressing the need to investigate such patterns carefully. The discussion examines the relationship between SIR and citizenship concerns, the constitutional implications of disenfranchisement, and why the scale of deletions matters in a democracy. Highlights: Delhi’s SIR and the deletion of around 47.5 lakh voters How mass deletions affect migrants and working-class voters Voters marked as permanently shifted, untraceable, dead or duplicate Problems with enumeration forms and Booth Level Officers The difficulties of tracing voter records from the 2002 electoral roll Form 6, voter deletion and questions of due process Claims of selective exclusion and the experiences of marginalised communities Concerns over the treatment of Muslim and transgender voters Why the scale of deletions matters after the 2025 Delhi Assembly election The need for transparency, accountability and safeguards in electoral-roll revision Delhi SIR Special Intensive Revision Election Commission of India Voter deletion Electoral reforms Migrants and voting rights Citizenship and voting rights Right to vote Election Commission Political disenfranchisement Indian democracy Perfect for viewers interested in: Credits: Host: Soni Mishra Camera: Dipesh Arora and Deepanshu Chhabra Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Mridula Vijayarangakumar and Muhammed Mukhtar T H If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations on politics, society and democracy. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia X - Frontline (@frontline_india) on X Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295