Hafta Letters: On ‘insensitivity’ of NL hosts, app issues, and advice for RaGa

Anonymous   

The NL iOS app is horrible. Doesn't restart the podcast after a pause – very cumbersome. It doesn't remember preferences. I have to click on speed preference EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Also, Manisha was very insensitive when Arati Jerath mentioned her dog having diabetes and needing insulin injections. Without letting Arati complete her sentence, Manisha responded, "I had no idea..[]..I was like they go for a walk after eating (giggles)..." Jayashree had to rein Manisha in. Abhinandan also made some joke about it – all this was so distasteful! Laughing and joking at a misery your invited guest shared was low. You don't have to like animals – sensitivity and refinement are irrespective of your inclinations. Expect better behaviour and less giggling on sensitive issues. Educate yourself before making comments and giggling. 

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Methodman

I was surprised that the anti-defection law isn't mentioned when you discuss the uselessness of parliamentary debate. To me, it's what makes parties choose candidates who fill seats, what disenfranchises MLAs/MPs, and incentivises washed-out sessions because all they can do is flood the well. and turns our democracy into the actions of a few party bosses and whips, rather than each representative. 

Why hasn't this been struck down by the courts? Maybe you (esp Anand) could give us a potted history of the legal challenges, and why the courts have upheld this insane legislation in its current form. Other candidates for worst legislation ever are UAPA and NDPS, which similarly reverse the burden of proof. And where the courts have been OK to have them stay on.

And sticking with the same theme, I think it's an under-appreciated reason why dowry and rape charges cause so much paranoia, because when the burden of proof shifts to the accused, it's reasonable to be more worried about false allegations. 

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Madan Sharma

In relation to NL Hafta 576, the panellists discussing Parliament pointed out Rahul’s confrontational approach but did not suggest what he should do differently to change things. 

I would like to hear your views on this matter.

Here is a suggestion for a Hafta song on the state of affairs in our country, as prevalent in Pakistan at the time of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, sung by Abida Parveen: Nisar Teri Galiyon ke Aye Wayanad ka Jahan.

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Manjil Saikia

Dear NL Team, congratulations on your birthday! All of you feel like old friends, and Hafta and Charcha feel like we are sitting together and chatting. I live in Ahmedabad. I hope you can organise a meetup here or in Mumbai (soon), so that I can meet in person as well.

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Amar 

Hafta 576 was very good. My points are as follows:

1. I partially agree with Anand's point 'subalternisation of parliament', but then it falls into the same category of arguments made by Manu Joseph and Dipankar Gupta. I think what we are discounting in this is the role of RSS in nurturing the current lot of parliamentarians. I don't believe that RSS is interested in ‘subalternisation’ of parliament. It wants to establish Brahmanical rule in the country. Abhinandan is correct in pointing out that it is the top leadership which sets the precedent for behaviour. 

2. I have always admired the writing of Manu Joseph. But the last book is an unwarranted rant, and the last few chapters are too rushed and not coherently argued. Also, when he rants at the liberals, he is discounting himself from the liberal group and taking a high moral position by bringing up his own growing-up years. Almost Modisque. What do you people think?

Much love to you all during this Valentine’s Week. 

Amar

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Prachee

Thank you, NL Hafta, for the conversation with TM Krishna. Listening to him always fills me with hope.

I agree with TM Krishna when he says that the ideals of the Constitution are not highbrow but have been made so. In fact, many such ideas about power and inequality have been made inaccessible. I am a woman from a tribal community. As a student, I used to feel intimidated by people who had read theories like Marxism, feminism, etc. But when I finally read them, I realised I already understood those ideas in my bones. People who experience discrimination are compelled to think about it quite often. Plus, tribal communities are egalitarian in many ways. Unfortunately, these ideas are usually written and discussed in a highbrow language. And they are treated like rocket science. That needs to change.

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Rohit Vishal Pandey 

Hi NL,

Congratulations on your 14th anniversary. I’ve been a subscriber since 2017, around the time Hafta went behind the paywall.

I’m writing in response to Hafta 575, particularly the argument that India needs to be reclaimed as a modern country by rejecting civilisational continuity.

I don’t see accepting continuity as celebrating the past. For me, it helps explain how some harmful practices spread widely and persist for a long time. At the same time, I also see continuity in the reform movements that questioned and fought these practices from within society. Rejecting continuity, in my view, erases both the harm and the struggle against it.

I believe the architects of modern India recognised this balance as well. The adoption of the Ashoka Chakra and the Lion Capital felt like a conscious choice to acknowledge historical roots while committing to a modern, constitutional future.

The real problem today isn’t continuity, but turning it into a celebration.

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