Reporters Without Orders Ep 204: Ailing health infra, hijab controversy

This week, it’s an all-Newslaundry panel as Nidhi Suresh is joined by Supriti David and Laasya Shekhar.

The discussion starts with Supriti’s report on the pandemic exacerbating issues within the health infrastructure. Looking at two major hospitals in Delhi, she details how the problems have stacked up for doctors with barely any steps taken to resolve them. “From an overworked environment to basic necessities like scrubs are now a tremendous crisis for them,” says Supriti, pointing out how these doctors are also dealing with mental health issues. “The harassment is severe.”

The conversation moves to Laasya’s report on the controversy surrounding hijab across Karnataka, in light of the continuing standoff at an educational institute in Udupi. “Girls who did wear the head scarves were thrown out of classrooms and mocked,” says Laasya while referring to the role of Hindutva outfits in such controversies within the state.

“Representing one’s religion is not about faith anymore but more about establishing a power dynamic,” comments Supriti.

This, and a lot more as they talk about what made news, what didn’t, and what shouldn’t have.

Tune in.

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Produced and recorded by Tehreem Roshan; edited by Satish Kumar.