South Central Ep 5: Kerala actor assault, Rahul…

South Central Ep 5: Kerala actor assault, Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Vijay-VCK-DMK row

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by author and activist Meena Kandasamy and TNM's senior editor Ragamalika Karthikeyan.

Leena delves into the Kerala’s actor assault case, highlighting judicial delays and systemic issues. Dhanya discusses how the visuals of the sexual assault were illegally accessed by court employees and no legal action was taken against them. The survivor has, meanwhile, written to the President for help.

Raga says it’s process as punishment for the survivor despite her access to resources. “Everything that is happening, whether it is the courts, how the judges are reacting, how the people are reacting, all of this is patriarchy in action. It should shock us that this is a person who does have access to more resources.” Pooja adds that the survivors fight multiple battles to ensure that “they aren’t further traumatised or shamed, while still living with the stigma that comes with it.”

As the conversation shifts to Rahul Gandhi’s role in the India Bloc, Meena emphasises the need for Congress to fully commit to its progressive stance. “Hindutva-lite won’t defeat Hindutva Agmark. Rahul Gandhi’s stance against crony capitalism and support for the caste census show he’s taking bold steps, but the Congress must reinvent itself.”

The discussion then turns to Tamil Nadu politics, where a book launch featuring Vijay and VCK’s Aadhav Arjuna has become a flashpoint for speculation about political alignments. Meena says, “If Vijay makes statements against the DMK while sitting next to an ally, it’s immediately perceived as agreement, even without public contradiction.”

Dive into South Central for an engaging and insightful discussion—you won’t want to miss it!

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.