In episode nine, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath are joined by TNM’s senior journalist Anisha Sheth and journalist Yunus Lasania.
On why Karnataka remained embroiled in communal violence in 2024, Pooja reflects on what’s behind the rise in such incidents: “They happen for a reason, and that reason is to convert the region first to think in a certain way and then get electoral benefits out of it. They are part of a long-term strategy to polarise communities, first culturally and then politically, as seen in the coastal belt.”
Underlining how communal violence has increased in northern districts even as it declined in coastal Karnataka, Anisha explains: “Ideologically, nobody has had a change of heart. But they’re no longer participating in violence. There is also the realisation that communities like the Billawas have always been sidelined and considered unimportant, never given important positions in leadership. This transformation of primary identities into a broader Hindutva identity is its biggest achievement.”
On Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and BRS’s KTR battle, Yunus says, “Revanth Reddy, being a first-time chief minister, has to assert himself and show that he’s sticking to his promises. His focus on KTR is strategic, aiming to keep the BRS tied up in controversies while asserting his leadership.”
Leena notes that tarnishing the image of one’s political opponent once they are out of power has always been the case. “It’s not tough for governments to bring out such cases, drag them into the mud, and permanently harm their reputation, ensuring their political mileage is lost, ” she says about KTR facing allegations of misappropriation of funds linked to the hosting of Formula E race in Hyderabad during the BRS government rule.
This and more. Dive into South Central for an engaging and insightful discussion. You won’t want to miss it!
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Audio timecodes
00:00:00:00 - Introductions
00:02:08:00 - Announcements
00:03:14:00 - Headlines
00:14:28:00 - Communal violence in Karnataka
00:52:41:00 - Formula E case against KTR
01:09:29:00 - Recommendations
References
POCSO case against BS Yediyurappa: Minor’s family breaks silence
Forget Hyderabad hype. Bengaluru biryani scene has gone unnoticed
Sidelined by the Sangh, Karnataka's Billava community seeks political representation
Saffron Rules Udupi for Historic Dharma Sansad
Communal violence up in north Karnataka, coastal districts see dip in 2024
Voted BJP for change, now we pay 40% cut as bribe: Karnataka contractors are upset
Let's remember, Jayalalithaa too is guilty in the DA case
Jaya, Karunanidhi, Yediyurappa: A history of former CMs arrested in India
Chandrababu Naidu arrested by Andhra CID in skill development case
Recommendations
Yunus Lasania
Anisha Sheth
Leena Reghunath
Pooja Prasanna
Dhanya Rajendran
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
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