South Central

In this episode on South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. They are joined by The Deccan Herald’s Assistant Editor Sivapriyan and journalist and translator Kavitha Muralidharan. In the second segment of the episode, the hosts discuss the verdict in the Sathankulam police station case in which Bennix and Jayaraj were tortured to death. A court in Madurai gave the death penalty to nine police officers, and the hosts go into the details of the verdict. They are joined by Anisha Sheth, TNM’s Karnataka Bureau Chief.The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFTOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:25 - Headlines 00:09:17 - Tamil Nadu Elections00:46:56 - Bennix-Jayaraj Case01:03:46 - RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Anisha Sheth, and cartoonist Rachita Taneja discuss the Union government’s proposed amendments to the IT law and what they mean for online speech. Why is the government bringing in these changes, and how will they impact people sharing news and opinions online?In the second part, guests from Kerala discuss the upcoming Assembly elections. Environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan says that none of the major parties are prioritising environmental concerns, pointing to a decade of aggressive infrastructure development that ignores the state’s ecological fragility.The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFTOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions00:02:29 - Headlines00:11:23 - New IT Rules00:39:32 - Kerala Elections01:20:21 - RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Ajay R & Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week South Central looks at Kerala’s elections and the transgender amendment law. Hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by MG Radhakrishnan, Sreejan Balakrishnan, and TNM’s Haritha John to unpack why the UDF may have a slight edge but no clear wave against Pinarayi Vijayan. In the second segment, Azeefa Fatima and Lakshmi Priya discuss the trans bill’s fallout, with reports of fear, threats, and uncertainty within the community.The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFTOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions00:02:22 - Headlines00:09:27 - Kerala Elections00:51:39 - Trans Bill Horror01:11:57 - RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026, which has triggered protests across the country. They are joined by advocate Arvind Narrain of the Alternative Law Forum, who was part of the panel of lawyers who fought for IPC 377 to be struck down. Joining in is also Rumi Harish, a musician and a queer, trans, masculine and social justice activist. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the controversy over the lyrics of the new song from the movie KD: The Devil, and the problematic gaze of ‘item songs’. They are joined by TNM senior reporter Shivani Kava and Associate Editor Sukanya Shaji.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:21 - Headlines 00:11:20 - Trans Bill 202600:43:16 - KD Song Lyrics 01:13:56 - RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first segment of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the LPG crisis and what that could mean for India going forward. They are joined by energy journalist and policy expert Shreya Jai, and climate journalist and researcher Aruna Chandrasekhar. In the second segment, the hosts discuss the recent no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the one anticipated against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They are joined by journalist Sravasti Dasgupta, senior political correspondent at The Wire.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:22 - Headlines 00:13:57- LPG Fears00:51:05-CEC Impeachment 1:14:11 - RecommendationsBecome a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first segment of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna speak to senior gynaecologist Dr Thankam Subramonian, who recently approached the Karnataka HC to altruistically donate a kidney after being denied permission by a medical committee.In the second segment, the hosts delve into the ongoing military conflict between Iran, Israel and the USA. They are joined by Aditya Ramanathan, a Research Fellow with the Takshashila Institution, where he heads the Advanced Military Technologies Programme, and Nirmal Abraham, a journalist who specialises in international politics, especially matters of the USA.Check out the recommendations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SuGm5-JwvRc4SCazAtW9956IKfsy3RrTJOFMsvbhmGE/edit?gid=0#gid=0Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Megha  Mukundan, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Karnataka government’s plan to ban teenagers from using mobile phones. They are joined by policy researcher Tara Krishnaswamy, child psychologist Sama Adil, and Adhira S Magesh, a teenager who is a Karate black belt holder and enthusiastic baker. In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2 and its polarising politics. They are joined by professor, writer, and activist NP Ashley.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:15 - Headlines 00:09:32- Mobile Ban 00:43:49 - Kerala Story 21:19:57 - RecommendationsBecome a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The News Minute turns 12 on February 21, and to commemorate, in this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna bring together the old and new team of TNM. The group goes over how TNM started– a one-room venture with an intern and one reporter, and traces how it grew into a steadfast newsroom with several journalists, focusing on caste, gender, power, and culture.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the controversy over former Army Chief General MM Naravane's unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, and the political storm it has stirred in the Parliament. They are joined by senior journalist and founding editor of The Wire, MK Venu, and Caravan magazine’s Consulting Editor, Sushant Singh, who wrote about the book.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:19 - Headlines 00:13:00- Naravane’s memoir00:56:47 - Free Speech 1:04:31 - RecommendationsYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first session, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Anisha Sheth discuss the India-US trade deal and the recently announced reduction in tariffs. They are joined by senior journalists Smita Sharma and TK Arun. In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the ban on student elections in Karnataka and the Congress government’s proposal to bring it back. They are joined by Professor Muralidhar PS of the Bangalore University, President of the Teacher’s union.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction00:04:26 - Headlines 00:16:40- India-US Tariff1:05:32 - Campus Politics Returns?1:29:22 - Recommendations You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the new UGC equity regulations and the protests around them. They are joined by TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal and rights lawyer Mridula Vanangamudi. Then they look at the fast-paced political negotiations and developments in Kerala, headed for Assembly polls soon. The hosts are joined by Damodar Prasad, a senior political analyst based in Kerala.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. Audio Timecodes 00:02:47: Headlines 00:09:36 - UGC Rules 00:50:37 - Kerala Politics 1:20:52 - RecommendationsYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the organised hate campaigns against film reviewers in the country. The discussion spans themes including the communal profiling of actors and reviewers and delves into whether fan culture catalyses the polarisation of films based on nationalism, religion, and gender politics. Joining the hosts are acclaimed film critics Anna MM Vetticad and Sucharita Tyagi.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:46 - Headlines 00:14:34- Film Review Backlash01:23:27-  RecommendationsYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first session of the episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the intersection of consent, agency and institutional power in sexual assault cases, like in the cases of Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathi, acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal, ex-BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar and more. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Nidhi Suresh, TNM Associate Editor and gender journalist Sukanya Shaji, and senior journalist and teacher Maya Sharma.In the second part of the discussion, the hosts and Maya delve into Karnataka’s so called ‘government on maintenance’ and allegations of the Congress squandering away its power.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:02:27 - Headlines 00:10:40 - Power rewrites consent00:59:06 - Karnataka Govt01:17:29- RecommendationsYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the recent political developments in Andhra Pradesh, including CM Chandrababu Naidu’s growing affiliation with the BJP. They are joined by professor, politician, and political analyst K Nageshwar.In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the controversy at the Kochi Biennale, where a painting by artist Tom Vattakuzhy, titled ‘Supper at Nunnery’ was withdrawn due to pressure from Christian groups. The hosts also discuss resistance to art in general, and are joined by Kavitha Balakrishnan, an art history lecturer, poet, curator and author.Read the Sridhar Vembu profileOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:02:05 - Headlines 00:10:10 - Andhra Politics 00:52:05 - Kochi Biennale Row 01:15:39- Recommendations You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the strike by gig workers on December 25th and 31st, what their demands are and whether the existing framework of payouts and stipulated minimum delivery time violates their rights.The hosts are joined by Shaikh Salahuddin, founder and president of Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union, and Maitreyi Krishnan, a lawyer and president of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice.In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the upcoming elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and what alliances will fly and which of them will likely fail. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Dr RK Radhakrishnan.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:03:10 - Headlines 00:12:03 - Gig Workers Strike  00:52:16 - TN & Kerala Elections 01:27:02- RecommendationsYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Megha Mukundan, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this special year-ender episode, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri and Manisha Pande and The News Minute’s Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by columnist and media critic Santosh Desai.The conversation begins with a wrap of the Indian media ecosystem this year. Santosh says, “Institutions are struggling to retain credibility and resist pressure.” Dhanya argues that mainstream media exerts significant influence over people, but on social media, the results vary.Discussing the state of the media more specifically in Karnataka, Pooja notes that although it's “heavily compromised”, it can still be seen as a “lesser evil” compared to the Hindi and English media.Manisha argues that, in terms of news consumption, the internet can be very ruthless – in contrast to legacy media, which does not have to face the crash and burn. She cites the example of Beer Biceps, whose rapid rise and fall illustrate this ruthlessness.Some influencers, Dhanya says, have also realised that “credibility comes with consistency”. On the economic front, Abhinandan explains, “It is the lethargy of legacy media that is reflected in their belief about how business is done – in large spaces and studios. Hence, sustainability and viewership become two completely different things.”The panel also discusses advertisements that make them nostalgic. Dhanya says, “Now, we pay to remove ads. I cannot remember the last time I watched an ad.” Meanwhile, Abhinandan notes, “The death of ads is the death of jingles, which in turn traces to the death of radio.”While discussing Arnab Goswami's recent shows that questioned the central government, Pooja remarks, “This man can damage the country by stooping so low, but all it takes for him to be viewed as a crusader is the targeting of a soft issue as a larger strategy.”This and a lot more. Tune in!Letters to NL Hafta and South Central: ‘Pointless’ Nikhil Kamath article, love for Dhanya and improving AQI2025 is coming to an end, make it count: https://rzp.io/rzp/gnWUWkcSupport the show: https://rzp.io/rzp/south-centralFor viewers outside India: https://buy.stripe.com/dR6bK841T9ll0GAeVgSouth Central Feedback Survey: https://forms.gle/fotHnLrY7uEVbzSB8Recommendations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SuGm5-JwvRc4SCazAtW9956IKfsy3RrTJOFMsvbhmGE/edit?gid=0#gid=0To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereTimecodes00:00:00 - Introductions & announcements00:02:16 - Headlines00:07:30 - Brands vs individuals: Understanding news models 00:33:15 - Karnataka Hate Speech Bill00:38:00 - How has advertising changed?00:59:00 - Santosh’s recommendations01:00:00 - Arnab Goswami’s turnaround 01:07:00 - Christmas violence  01:12:00 - Letters01:35:13 - Recommendations Song: Badumbaaa - Zumba ZumbaReferencesPrasar Bharati’s curliest tale: How taxpayer money was used for influencer contentKiran Bedi Tapes: Does the law allow a ‘concerned mother’ to request a surveillance operation?Read Santosh Desai’s columns Abhinandan’s interview with Dhruv Rathee Abhinandan’s interview with Harvinder Kaur ChowdhuryRecommendationsSantosh Desai New India by Rahul Bhatia Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtPluribusThe ExpanseAbhinandan Believer's Dilemma: Vajpayee and the Hindu Right's Path to Power, 1977–2018 by Abhishek ChoudharyVajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right, 1924–1977 by Abhishek Choudhary Pooja PrasannaA Controversial Judge DhanyaThe Dig: Keeladi and the Politics of India's Past by Sowmiya AshokSerialThe Muhammad Yunus government played with fire, now Bangladesh burns againBeliever's DilemmaManisha Shattered Lands : Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia by Sam DalrympleGods Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity by Manu S. PillaiSubscribe to Newslaundry and The News MinuteLapgun DJCheck out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters.Recorded and produced by Priyali Dhingra. Production assistance by Megha Mukundan and  Ajay. Edited by Saif Ali Ekram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.