In Focus by The Hindu

Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who retired four months ago as Chief Justice of India, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on March 16. The nomination, coming so soon after his retirement is bound to raise questions of a quid pro quo and there will be a scanner now on judgments that he delivered and administrative actions that he took that favoured the government. In this episode, we discuss two notable instances of jurists being appointed to Parliament — both controversial instances — and what various people have said over the years about judges accepting post retirement postings. Guest: K Venkataramanan, Associate Editor, The Hindu Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, the Supreme Court of India set aside a two-year ban that the RBI had imposed on cryptocurrency trading in India through a circular issued in 2018. The apex court found that circular to be too prohibitive. So, for now the ban on cryptocurrency has been lifted though it’s not the end of the story. The RBI will appeal the decision and the Central government also just has to legislate around the court order and impose a ban again. In this episode we look at the reservations the government and the RBI have toward cryptocurrencies, the various regulatory issues associated with cryptocurrency and how such a system of transactions might work in India. Interview by G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Guest: Srikanth, Digital payments expert (@logic on Twitter) Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the spread of the coronavirus dominates headlines around the world our weekly international affairs round up from an Indian perspective tackles the issue form three angles. We discuss the progress made by China and South Korea, cited by the WHO, in containing the outbreak and the measures they took, look at the crash of global markets and how financial institutions reacted, and get a brief regional update from Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Guests: James Chau, World Health Organisation Goodwill Ambassador and host of the China Current Raghuvir Srinivasan, Business Editor, The Hindu Meera Srinivasan, Sri Lanka Correspondent, The Hindu Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crude oil prices have fallen to record lows as Saudi Arabia launched a coronavirus-sparked price war with Russia. Saudi Arabia slashed prices after Russia refused to go along with OPEC’s proposal to rescue the oil market, which has been on a decline due to coronavirus-related fears and restraints on economic activity. That may have been the initial spark but Saudi Arabia’s stand-off with Russia is motivated by a larger geopolitical play and Russia in turn has one eye on shorting oil production in the U.S. In this episode, we discuss the various dimensions to the story with two of our top experts. Guests: Atul Aneja, Strategic Affairs Editor, The Hindu; Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected] Also read: Analysis: Coronavirus pits Russia, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. — world’s top energy producers — in a destructive price war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia dramatically quit the party this morning after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He will now join the BJP and be given a Rajya Sabha ticket. Scindia’s disaffection with the Congress party goes back a year and more, with growing differences over not getting his due after the Congress gained power in Madhya Pradesh in 2018. In this episode we trace the roots of that discontent and where his exit now leaves a party gripped by an internal power struggle. Guest: Varghese George, Associate Editor, The Hindu Write to us with feedback and suggestions at [email protected] Also read: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/analysis-jyotiraditya-scindia-revolt-a-likely-turning-point-in-tussle-within-congress/article31030345.ece?homepage=true https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/turning-younger-and-dynamic/article31017160.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nifty and Sensex lost all gains made over 2019, as the bourses witnessed an absolute bloodbath today. The Sensex dropped by over 2,000 and the Nifty, by over 500 points, as both suffered their biggest one-day fall in history. All told, some ₹5 trillion of investor wealth was lost. Aside from the massive global sell off amid fears that the coronavirus could cause an economic slowdown, the other factors to consider is the astounding drop in crude oil prices as Saudi Arabia has started a price war with Russia and continuing investor concern over the state of India's banking industry, exemplified by the Yes Bank crisis. How do all these factors combine to explain the stock market crisis today? Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected]. Guest: K Bharat Kumar, Deputy Business Editor, The Hindu Also read: https://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/market-mayhem-sensex-nifty-log-steepest-ever-one-day-fall-on-recession-fears/article31024213.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 6, Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s former Prime Minister, wrote an Op-Ed piece for The Hindu in which he noted that India had become majoritarian state in economic despair. “No amount of tweaking of tax rates, showering of corporate incentives or goading will propel Indian or foreign businesses to invest, when the risk of eruption of sudden violence in one’s neighbourhood looms large,” he wrote in one of the article’s most striking passages. We build on that argument in this episode of In Focus and explore the link between social harmony and development from a political economy perspective. Guest: Irfan Nooruddin: Director of the South Asia Centre of the Atlantic Council and professor, Georgetown University Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected]. Also read: India has slid to being a majoritarian state in economic despair, writes Manmohan Singh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first of what we hope is a regular feature, this episode is an analysis of two major international stories from an Indian perspective. We discuss the impact on India of the manufacturing slowdown in China. And looking elsewhere to the Democratic Primary race, what may be the policies of the two remaining candidates, Berne Sanders or Joe Biden toward India if they manage the formidable feat of beating Donald Trump in November. Guests: Ananth Krishnan, former China correspondent, The Hindu; Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor and former U.S.Correspondent, Write to us with comments or feedback at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights took the unprecedented step of filing an intervention application in the Supreme against India’s amended citizenship law on March 3. The move marked a high point in what is now a growing international concern, and condemnation, of domestic events in India. How can the government engage with global leaders to ease their concerns. And what are the particular challenges now in our neighbourhood? Guest: Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor and National Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The peace deal signed on February 29 between the United States and the Taliban is expected to result in U.S. troops leaving Afghanistan in 14 months, fulfilling U.S. president Donald Trump’s much-vaunted campaign promise of bringing American troops home. The war that seemed never-ending may be coming to a close, but at what cost? In this episode, we analyse how the peace deal strengthens the Taliban’s hand, is a strategic victory for Pakistan, and why Indian has cause for concern. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Also Read: A big, bad deal: On U.S.-Taliban agreement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hindu's former China Correspondent Ananth Krishnan was on holiday there for two weeks during the height of the scare around the Novel Coronavirus outbreak. He describes how life came to a standstill in Beijing and how people began to blame the government for their handling of the issue, and the economic and political challenges now being faced by President Xi Jinping in the aftermath. Guest: Ananth Krishnan, former China Correspondent, The Hindu Background reading: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/analysis-for-chinas-xi-biggest-challenge-yet-comes-laden-with-risks/article30742980.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the In Focus Podcast, historian Srinath Raghavan, in conversation with The Hindu's associate editor Anuradha Raman, breaks down the significance of last week's Supreme Court judgement on permanent commission and commanding roles for women in the Indian army. What has been the resistance to accepting women as commanders, what were the arguments against it and how can we understand this issue better through international perspective. Guest: Srinath Raghavan, Professor of history and international relations, Ashoka University and Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Interviewer: Anuradha Raman, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stories told by Hemani Bhandari and Jatin Anand offer differing perspectives on the riots that took place in Delhi in the last few days, originating around the Citizenship Amendment Act before appearing to take on a purely communal colour. Hemani describes some chilling scenes from the immediate outbreak of violence and Jatin reports on the aftermath of the first two days of the clashes. Guests: Hemani Bhandari and Jatin Anand, Delhi city reporting team, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

United States President Donald Trump’s visit to India was marked by a lot of spectacle and bonhomie between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this episode, we analyse the impact and policy outcomes from the visit. Host: Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor, The Hindu Guests: Michael Kugelman, Senior Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, and Alyssa Ayres, Senior Fellow on India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The death toll in clashed between pro and anti-CAA protesters in northeast Delhi rose to 27 on February 26 as the Delhi High Court came down hard on the police for not acting in time to halt the spread of the violence. What's been the response of the political parties and what can we expect next? Guest: Amit Baruah, Resident Editor, Delhi, The Hindu Also read | Analysis: Centre, Delhi govt. are both responsible for inadequate response to riots in city Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As United States President Donald Trump embarks on his first official state visit to India, The Hindu's Foreign Affairs Editor Stanly Johny chats with The Hindu's U.S. Correspondent Sriram Lakshman about the diplomatic moving parts involved, including a possible trade deal, and the larger strategic relationship between the two countries at present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The issue of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) payments is very much in the news now with both Airtel and Vodafone Idea, two of the countries biggest telecom majors, having to pay up thousands of crores. Vodafone Idea has even flagged concerns over the continuing of its business in India. Back in November, we had recorded a podcast on the mounting financial troubles of the two majors, explaining the legal setbacks around AGR but also discussing larger structural issues that go back several years. Understanding the evolution of India’s intensively competitive telecom sector, we had said, was key to analysing the predicament of both companies. Recorder on November 20, 2019 Guest: Raghuvir Srinivasan, Business Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hindu In Focus Podcast In this episode of the In Focus Podcast The Hindu's cinema editor Namrata Joshi sits down to chat with acclaimed film director Vikramaditya Motwane about Parasite's sweep at the Oscars, the films of Bong Joon-ho and the factors that have allowed Korean cinema to reach such a pinnacle of international success. How far does Indian cinema have to go? Guest: Vikramaditya Motwane, film director Interview by Namrata Joshi, Cinema Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Aam Aadmi Party today swept to power with a decisive majority in the national capital for a second time, bagging 63 out of 70 seats. Our initial analysis of the Delhi election results breaks down the vote shares of each party, analyses the differences between the Lok Saba polls and state elections and speculates on a possible future path for the AAP. Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala claimed 17 lives but also resulted in the State setting up a sophisticated surveillance and detection system to contain future outbreaks. In this episode, a top virologist who led the battle to contain the Nipah outbreak, speaks of the steps that Kerala can now take in containing the Novel Coronavirus, the what is yet to be learnt about the new outbreak and the lessons that other States can take. Guest: Dr. G Arunkumar, Director, Manipal Institute of Virology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we do a quick catch up with three major news events that all seemed to occur virtually simultaneously in the U.S. The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump ended with his acquittal by the United States Senate. Mr Trump then proceeded to deliver a State of the Union Speech that was something of a victory lap. Meanwhile the Democratic primary process to pick a challenger to go up against Mr Trump in the November election got off to a rocky start with controversy surrounding the Iowa caucuses. Guest: Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor and former U.S. correspondent, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we drill down into the specifics of the optional new tax regime proposed in the Union Budget which proposes that individuals foregoing exemptions and deductions would be taxed at reduced rates. What effect will this new opt-in structure have on the market for insurance, how will it affect home loans and most importantly, which structure may benefit you in the short or long term. We speak to an expert on taxation. Guest: Rama Karmakar, Partner, People Advisory Services, Ernst & Young India For a larger discussion on the Budget and economic growth: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/does-the-budget-do-enough-in-providing-a-stimulus-to-growth/article30755337.ece To see various income and tax scenarios: http://bit.ly/2uTzPEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Delhi goes to vote on February 8, the BJP has targeted anti-CAA protesters as the central plank of its campaign, unleashing a level of vitriol that observers in the capital say they have never seen. The AAP has manoeuvred artfully, with their manifesto delivering a few surprising twists of its own. The Congress meanwhile, is making a last minute push. The second of our two part series on the Delhi elections lays the ground before voting. Guest: Varghese George, Associate Editor, The Hindu Links to Parley podcast on free speech laws: https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/do-free-speech-laws-need-to-be-reworked-in-todays-context-the-hindu-parley-podcast/article30693469.ece https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-restrictions-on-free-speech-be-reviewed/article30694970.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the national capital gears up to vote on February 8 the ruling Aam Aadmi Party have emerged as the clear front runners, showcasing their governance record over the last five years. The BJP has responded by pitching its campaign on national issues like the CAA. And where does the Congress stand? Our first episode on the Delhi elections is a quick primer on the campaign of each party. Guest: Varghese George, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past few months Australia has seen some of the worst bushfires in its history, devastating land, property and wildlife as they have swept along the continent. At the time of our recording this episode, fire season is still on and warnings continue to be issued in several States. What caused the severity of this crisis in Australia and what lessons can the rest of the world take from it? Guest: Ken Thompson, former deputy commissioner of New South Wales Fire and Rescue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court on January 27, asked the government to explain why a law meant to protect the transgender community requires a magistrate’s certificate as a prior condition for the State to even identify a transperson. The court was responding to a petition filed by Swati Bidhan Baruah, an Assam-based advocate and transgender rights activist. As this story develops, here's our podcast on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, when it was made into law by Parliament in November last year. This podcast looks at which provisions in the Bill are problematic and why it was met by protests from activists and the transgender community, who said it showed a poor understanding of gender and sexual identity. Guest: Ramya Kannan, Chief of Bureau, T.N., The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first sports analysis podcast, soon to be a regular feature, features a discussion on the newly-appointed Barcelona boss, his history as a player and manager and most importantly, his devotion to the Cruyff style. Where do Barça go with him at the helm? Guest: Ram Mahesh, Senior Deputy Sports Editor, The Hindu Also read: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/what-quique-setien-brings-to-barcelona/article30646841.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new BJP chief formally takes over a party machinery shaped by its most successful president ever in Amit Shah. A look at his political career so far and the challenges facing him as he attempts to navigate a series of tough electoral challenges ahead while evolving his own style as party chief. Guest: Nistula Hebbar, Political Editor, The Hindu Background Reading: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-faces-stiff-challenges-in-2020/article30440624.ece https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/who-is-jp-nadda-the-new-bjp-national-president/article30607088.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest outbreak of the deadly coronavirus detected in the city of Wuhan in China has caused nine deaths and affected more than 400 people, said China’s National Health Commission on January 22. The virus has now spread to several other countries with the first case outside of Asia having been reported on Tuesday. This podcast looks at what we know so far about how the coronavirus was discovered, how it spreads and what the response of global bodies like the WHO has been. Guest: R Prasad, Science Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kerala’s suit against the Citizenship Amendment Act, filed under Article 131 of the Constitution and likely to be taken up the Supreme Court on January 22, is often confused with other political stances against the CAA, with leaders in other non-BJP States saying that they will not implement the law. What are the Centre’s powers over States for implementing laws over Parliament and how can we understand Kerala’s suit in that context?Guest: K. Venkataramanan, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde on January 20 said that the Supreme Court found it unnecessary to stay the electoral bonds scheme. In this context, here is conversation that was recorded in November last year after investigations into electoral bonds exposed claims regarding their anonymity and also revealed the RBI's and Election Commission's reservations about them. Guest: Rakesh Dubbudu, transparency and open data campaigner. Host: Jayant Sriram, Assistant Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a week filled with major developments on the diplomacy and foreign policy front, starting with Raisina Dialogue, the annual conference hosted by the External Affairs Ministry. The government then announced that it would invite Pakistan PM Imran Khan to the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit that India is hosting and soon after it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump may also make his maiden visit to India in February. We break all this down ad as a bonus, we also have excerpts of an interview with former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Supreme Court ruled on a batch of review petitions challenging its 2018 verdict that allowed women aged 10-50 entry into the Sabarimala temple, it failed to deliver a verdict. Rather it sought an ‘authoritative’ pronouncement from a larger Bench on the balance between freedom of religion and other fundamental rights. The hearings will now cover these ‘larger questions’ and also take into its ambit issues such as the entry of women into mosques, the entry of Parsi women married to non-Parsis into an agyari, and the practice of female genital mutilation among Dawoodi Bohras. How did we get to this more confused and complicated juncture, and what lies ahead? Guest: Suhrith Parthasarathy, Advocate, Madras High Court. Previous episode: https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/the-hindu-analysis-podcast-supreme-court-whats-at-stake-in-the-sabarimala-review-petition/article29911137.ece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As protests organised nationwide against the CAA completed one month, the first signs of a move toward consolidated political action came with the Congress calling an opposition parties' meet on the CAA on January 13. The event made the headlines more for who didn't attend than what was decided. Is it indicative of a larger stalemate that all these parties find themselves in? Guest: Sandeep Phukan, Deputy Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As retail inflation continues to spike, particularly with respect to food prices, here's our definitive look at one of the usual suspects -- onion prices. Why are we stuck in this cycle of price fluctuations for onions and what can we do to manage it better? This podcast was recorded on Dec 13, 2019, when onion prices were at a record high. Guest: Jaideep Hardikar, Nagpur based writer and researcher, and core tea member of PARI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before we move on to discussing where things stand after a momentary deescalation in hostilities, the second episode of our two part series on the history of the U.S. Iran conflict looks at Iran's strategy over the years in the Middle East. A big part of America's fear of Iran arises from the idea that Iran sponsors various militant groups in the region, Hezbollah being a prominent example. To what extent to these 'proxies', as they are often called, help explain Iran's place, and power, in the region. Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the U.S. strike that took out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and Iran's retaliatory strike on an Iraqi airbase where U.S. troops were stationed, things seemed to have deescalated to a degree. In the U.S. though, a section of the defence and foreign policy establishment has long thirsted for a regime change war in Iran and there is still the looming danger that they could push U.S. President Donald Trump toward conflict. Guest: Stanly Jonny, Foreign Affairs Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Union Cabinet has cleared the way for the updation of the National Population Register from April next year. Though the government was quick to state that the NPR is not related to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) there are still questions over the process through which the former will be compiled and the information that will be sought. Could the NPR then, be a precursor to a national NRC. This podcast looks at the link between the Census, NPR, NRC and finally the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Guest: K Venkataramanan, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Union Government has called upon the Supreme Court to to review an order it passed last year with regard to reservations. In particular, it asserted that the creamy layer concept, which distinguishes between the affluent among disadvantaged sections, not be applied to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes when determining who is not eligible for the benefits of reservations. Over the years the Supreme Court, in successive judgments, has refined the rules regarding the implementation of reservation. Could the current request to review lead to another landmark ruling in the history of affirmative action jurisprudence in India? Guest: K Venkataramanan, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens to atheists as per the Citizenship Amendment Bill? In this podcast we sum up the best of the debates and the lines of argument taken by each party. Guest: Maansi Verma - Founder, Maadhyam, a participatory policymaking initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices