This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri and Raman Kirpal are joined by journalists Manoj Mitta and Ragamalika Karthikeyan. 

The conversation begins with a discussion on Manoj’s latest book, Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India, in which he examines the endurance and violence of the caste system. “Caste continues to play a key role in our society and politics…It keeps taking us by surprise by rearing its head in unlikely places,” he says. 

With poll campaign heating up in Karnataka, Abhinandan questions the role caste may play in the elections. Ragamalika says, “The Lingayat vote is going to be a deciding factor.” The panel also discusses the BJP government’s move to scrap the 4% reservation accorded to Muslims in Karnataka and how “the decision is playing to BJP’s electorate.”

The conversation then moves to the marriage equality petitions being heard in the Supreme Court. Ragamalika points to the problematic language being used by the lawyers. “It has been quite triggering to watch the proceedings…There seems to be a competition about who can say the most absurd terms.” 

Tune in!

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