NL Hafta

In the latest episode of NL Hafta, host Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by the usual gang of Raman Kripal, Anand Vardhan and Manisha Pande and special guest Amit Varma—writer, columnist, and host of the podcast The Seen and the Unseen. The conversation ranges from the unending CBI saga to the JNU sedition chargesheet to Modi winning the first ever Philip Kotler Award, and more. The rumours of Arun Jaitley’s cancer treatment sparks a discussion on the ethics of reporting a public figure’s illnesses. Amit says, “Private lives are private lives, we should not get too much into them … it is when the taxpayers’ money is involved that I am concerned and want to hold those speakers accountable.” He says it’s the media’s duty to look into how long Jaitley will be absent and unable to perform his duties. Discussing PM Narendra Modi winning the Philip Kotler Award, Anand says no one really knows if it’s an authentic award or not. Kotler, a known marketing figure, cleared the air a bit. Anand says, “That has been the saving grace for the prime minister—that he stepped in and authenticated that—but still the paraphernalia that was involved in awarding the prime minister is dubious.” On the chargesheet released accusing Kanhaiya Kumar and co. of sedition, Manisha recalls the coverage of the incident by the media, which started when ABVP called Zee News which then ran the story. Abhinandan adds, “They actually used the chargesheet to pat themselves on the back saying ‘we were right all along’. It’s like a loop.” The conversation shifts to the sexual assault allegations against director Rajkumar Hirani and the #MeToo movement in general. Raman says, “I think Hirani’s story is not taking the #MeToo discussion any further, it was just another case. It was reported rightly. I do not see any problems with the media coverage.” This and much more, so tune in!