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As India stands at the crossroads of its future, 10 years of Modi’s governance have ignited apprehensions among democratic forces regarding the nation’s trajectory if BJP retains power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Under Modi’s leadership, India has undergone significant transformations, marked by compromised institutions, stifled dissent, and a narrative where religion reigns supreme. The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections are not just about political parties but a battle to uphold and preserve India’s secular fabric. In the latest Pakka Politics episode, Shabbir Ahmed engages with Professor Ramu Manivannan, former head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Madras, discussing how India has changed under Modi and the formidable challenges ahead for democratic forces.
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Following in the footsteps of Tamil Nadu’s rich history of counter-culture and progressive politics through music, comes the hip-hop band Comrade Gangsta. The band blends socialism, Ambedkarite and Periyarist ideologies with a musical genre born out of Black pride and resistance. Much like Arivu, The Casteless Collective and other Tamil hip hop bands, Comrade Gangsta have taken the stage hundreds of times to draw people towards a socialist future free of caste and communalism. The Comrade Gangsta band started in 2021 is slowly capturing the imagination of people with their power packed performances. The band consists of RJ Prasath, Dinesh and Anand Castro has performed on hundreds of stages across Tamil Nadu. In this episode of Pakka Politics, Shabbir Ahmed is in conversation with team Comrade Gangsta rapper Dinesh and RJ Prasath on making music for the working class.
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Tamil Nadu has witnessed a surge in atrocities against Dalits, and in recent years, these attacks have multiplied, raising questions about the commitment of Dravidian parties to protect marginalized communities. Incidents such as human feces being mixed into a drinking water tank in Vengavayal, Pudukottai district, and assaults on students from Scheduled Caste communities in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district, have sent shockwaves across the state. Dalit rights activists and intellectuals have criticized the DMK government for its lukewarm response to handling cases related to atrocities against Dalits. Vocal activists have faced online attacks and trolling. In this episode of Pakka Politics, Shabbir Ahmed engages in a conversation with Shalin Maria Lawrence, a writer and political commentator, discussing her politics, activism, her connection to Vada Chennai, social justice, gender justice in politics and where Dalits fit into Dravidian politics.
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Since their electoral triumph in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been actively trying to appropriate the legacies of prominent Indian icons in the country. A similar strategy is also being implemented in Tamil Nadu by various Sangh Parivar organisations. The BJP, as part of a calculated strategy, has been actively trying to appropriate the legacy of Tamil icons, highlighting the contributions of lesser-known figures to bolster their influence in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar in his "Mann Ki Baat" broadcast in December 2023, exemplifies this effort to align with Tamil historical figures. Moreover, the BJP has been making deliberate attempts to resonate with Tamil identity by referencing Thirukural, celebrating Sangam era poets, and symbolically incorporating Tamil culture, such as the installation of Sengol in the new parliament building. In this podcast, political activist Mathur Sathya critically examines the BJP's politics of appropriation, shedding light on how the party shapes narratives to consolidate its influence across the country and also explains why these attempts will not yield desired results for the saffron party in Tamil Nadu.
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Under BJP rule, India has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, marked by the rise of majoritarian politics and the pervasive influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology across various facets of governance, politics, and culture. This shift is not confined to the national level alone; in Tamil Nadu, the RSS has been strategically trying to expand its footprint beyond traditional strongholds like Kanniyakumari and Coimbatore. In this episode of Pakka Politics, Shabbir Ahmed speaks with R Vijaya Sankar, the former editor of Frontline magazine, who has translated A G Noorani's book 'The RSS: A menace to India' into Tamil. The conversation delves into the ideas behind modern India, political ideologies and sheds light on the growing dominance of the RSS in the country.
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Disinformation has wreaked havoc worldwide. In India, disinformation has been weaponized against minorities and marginalized groups, spreading hate and inciting hate crimes. In this episode of "Pakka Politics with Shabbir Ahmed," fact-checker Iyan Karthikeyan, a former editor at Youturn, delves into the politics behind disinformation. This podcast was recorded on October 25, before Iyan Karthikeyan assumed charge as mission director of Tamil Nadu government’s fact-check unit.
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