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Listen to a selection of Frontline's best stories each fortnight.
164 Episodes
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Shubhangi Derhgawen and Deepanshu Mohan delve into the escalating conflict over Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand forest, a crucial ecological zone threatened by coal mining projects linked to corporate interests, including Adani Enterprises Ltd. The audio story explores how the local tribal communities resist deforestation and displacement, framing their struggle within broader concerns of environmental degradation and corporate-government nexus. The Hasdeo movement stands as a critical battleground for indigenous rights, conservation, and policy accountability in India’s resource politics.
M.G. Radhakrishnan examines the evolving debate over dress codes in Kerala’s temples, exploring their intersections with tradition, politics, and social reform. The audio story unpacks how the Sangh Parivar and proponents of Sanatana Dharma frame the issue, while the Left Democratic Front and progressive voices challenge conservative mandates. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cultural rhetoric influencing discourse, the controversy highlights broader tensions between religious customs and Kerala’s long-standing secular and reformist ethos.
Amey Tirodkar delves into the Goa cash-for-jobs scam, exposing allegations of corruption in government recruitment under the BJP-led administration. The audio story unpacks the controversy surrounding whistleblower Farell Furtado, the political fallout, and the responses from opposition parties like the AAP. With unemployment concerns running high in the state, the scandal has intensified scrutiny on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s government and its hiring practices.
T.K. Rajalakshmi explores the implications of the UGC’s new regulations on the appointment of vice-chancellors in central universities, highlighting concerns over academic autonomy and political influence. The audio story examines how these changes align with the BJP government’s broader educational policies under the National Education Policy (NEP) and their impact on institutional governance. It also sheds light on the growing apprehensions within the academic community regarding centralization and the erosion of independent decision-making in higher education.
Ashutosh Sharma examines the shifting political landscape of Punjab, focusing on the Shiromani Akali Dal’s challenges and the rise of radical elements like Waris Punjab De. The audio story delves into the legacy of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the resurgence of Khalistani rhetoric, and the role of figures such as Amritpal Singh in shaping contemporary Sikh politics. It also explores how these developments influence Punjab’s socio-political fabric and the responses from the state and central governments.
Pritam Singh reflects on the economic philosophy of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, tracing his evolution from a Fabian socialist to the architect of India’s market liberalization. The audio story examines Singh’s balancing act between welfarism and market-driven reforms, highlighting his role in shaping India's economic trajectory while maintaining a commitment to social justice. Through a nuanced analysis, it explores his heterodox approach to policymaking and the lasting impact of his leadership on India's economic landscape.
Ashutosh Sharma delves into the ongoing Naxal conflict in Chhattisgarh, examining the intersection of security operations, tribal rights, and resource extraction. The piece explores how the government's counterinsurgency measures, spearheaded by Home Minister Amit Shah, intersect with corporate interests, particularly in coal mining. Sharma highlights the perspectives of tribal communities caught between Maoist insurgents and state forces, questioning the long-term impact of militarization in the region.
Radhika Desai examines America's shifting role in the global economy, focusing on the challenges posed by de-dollarization efforts, the rise of BRICS countries, and the U.S. response, including tariff threats. She discusses how figures like Elon Musk represent a changing economic landscape and the implications of these shifts for global trade and finance. With her expertise as a professor at the University of Manitoba and a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, Desai provides a critical perspective on the economic power struggles shaping the world today.
Jayant Prasad analyzes the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on U.S.-India relations, examining policies on trade, H-1B visas, and geopolitical dynamics involving China. He explores how Trump's approach differed from previous administrations, particularly in contrast to Barack Obama's engagement with India. The discussion also touches on the broader implications for diplomacy, defense cooperation, and India's strategic positioning in a shifting global order. Prasad, a retired diplomat and former Director General of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, brings deep expertise in international relations to this analysis.
Indira Jaising reflects on the 75-year journey of the Indian Constitution, examining its role in securing fundamental rights and addressing the challenges faced in upholding these rights. She highlights key developments, the evolving interpretation of the Constitution, and the obstacles that continue to hinder its full realization, especially in the context of social justice and equality. Jaising, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India, brings a legal perspective to the discourse on constitutional law and its impact on contemporary Indian society.
Shuddhabrata Sengupta examines the interplay between state control and grassroots efforts in shaping Indian art and culture. The narrative delves into the tension between institutional frameworks and independent cultural expressions, highlighting how grassroots movements are reclaiming artistic spaces to foster creativity and inclusivity. Sengupta, an artist and curator with the Raqs Media Collective, brings a critical perspective to this evolving dynamic, emphasizing the resilience of cultural communities in the face of systemic challenges.
Lawrence Liang explores the remarkable transformation of Indian cinema over four decades, from 1984 to 2024, as shaped by technological advances and cultural shifts. The narrative highlights how digital innovations, streaming platforms, and globalization have redefined storytelling, production, and audience engagement in Indian films. Liang, a Delhi-based professor working at the intersection of law, culture, and technology, provides a nuanced analysis of cinema's evolution, linking it to broader societal and technological trends.
This audio story by Pankaj Sekhsaria draws a poignant connection between the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and India's ongoing environmental challenges, such as the threats to Great Nicobar and the endangered Indian Bustard. It reflects on how ecological degradation has become emblematic of broader systemic failures in governance and accountability. Pankaj Sekhsaria, editor and curator of The Great Nicobar Betrayal published by Frontline in 2024, delves into these critical issues, urging collective action to prioritize environmental conservation.
This audio story by Kalpana Sharma critically examines the state of press freedom in India, focusing on the challenges faced by independent media in an era of government influence and corporate control. It highlights the complicity of major media outlets, the suppression of dissent, and the targeting of journalists, including the implications of high-profile cases like the Adani controversy. Kalpana Sharma, an independent journalist and author, sheds light on the pressing need to safeguard journalistic independence and integrity in the face of mounting pressures.
This audio story, written by Vandana Prasad, highlights the crisis in India's healthcare system, with a focus on how increasing privatization threatens universal access to essential health services. The narrative delves into the systemic neglect of public health infrastructure, rising out-of-pocket expenditures, and the growing disparities in access to care. Vandana Prasad, a public health professional with over three decades of experience in community and policy-level interventions, emphasizes the urgent need for equitable, accessible, and government-supported healthcare to address the nation's public health challenges effectively.
This audio story, authored by Krishna Kumar, critically examines the trajectory of higher education in India, reflecting on the policy shifts from the Rajiv Gandhi era to the current BJP-led NDA regime. It explores the impact of demonetization, the rise of market-driven educational reforms, and the challenges faced by liberal arts education in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape. Krishna Kumar, a former Director of NCERT and author of Thank You, Gandhi, brings a seasoned perspective to the discussion, urging a reevaluation of educational priorities to ensure inclusivity and intellectual growth.
This audio story, authored by Sudha Bharadwaj, delves into the steady deterioration of labor rights in India under the influence of neoliberal economic policies. It examines how the New Economic Policy has exacerbated workers' hardships, undermined trade unions, and deepened economic inequalities. Bharadwaj, a noted trade unionist and human rights activist, offers a compelling critique of the systemic challenges faced by India’s labor force, highlighting the urgent need for policies centered on social justice and workers' welfare.
This audio story, authored by renowned journalist and author P. Sainath, explores the three-decade-long crisis in Indian agriculture from 1984 to 2024. It examines the systemic decline fueled by neoliberal policies, growing farmer distress, and the widening rural-urban divide. Sainath, a champion of rural reporting and a recipient of numerous accolades for his work on agrarian issues, provides a deeply researched and compassionate analysis of the challenges facing India’s farmers and the broader implications for the nation’s socio-economic fabric.
This audio story, authored by Mukul Kesavan, critically examines the trajectory of Indian democracy under the leadership of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It delves into the interplay of secularism, majoritarianism, and the RSS’s ideological influence, tracing the socio-political shifts from the era of Indira Gandhi to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and beyond. Kesavan, a historian and writer known for his incisive commentary, offers a nuanced analysis of the challenges facing democracy in South Asia today.
This audio story explores Tulsi Gabbard's intriguing journey in American politics, from being a Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii to her recent alignment with Republican values. It examines her political evolution, ideological shifts, and the broader implications for bipartisan dynamics in the United States. Gabbard's rise and influence offer a lens into the changing landscape of American political discourse.
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