Share

South Central
South Central 24 | Bengaluru's 'Us vs You' Row and BJP’s allegations of overreach by SC
In Episode 24 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss Bengaluru’s migrants vs Kannadigas issue and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s criticism aimed at the Supreme Court’s powers. Also part of the discussion are comedian and writer Nithin Kamath, lawyer Suhrith Parthasarathy, and TNM’s Anisha Sheth.
On the Bengaluru debate, Dhanya says, “For many Kannadigas, this isn’t just about language. It’s really about erasure. There is a fear among locals that their city, culture, and identity is being sidelined.”
Anisha adds, “It’s become an argument over a fight for economic resources — land, water, all of these things. And that’s acquired a kind of belligerence on all sides.”
Nithin observes, “On social media, anything related to Kannada, Karnataka, or Bengaluru has become a keyword of sorts. People lace Kannada sentiments into any issue, like with the Shiladitya Bose road rage incident. By the time the facts come out, the damage is already done.”
As the conversation shifts to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s remarks on the Supreme Court, Suhrith Parthasarathy says, “Our constitutional design is such that the judiciary, which comprises an unelected body of members and judges, will act as a check on not just executive excesses but also legislative excesses.”
On the Supreme Court’s verdict on the role of governors, Leena points out, “What the court has done is just take the vision of the constitution-makers and say, do your job for what you were appointed. Be a constitutional head, a sagacious counselor, pour oil over troubled waters. That is not what is playing out now.”
All this and more—tune in.
Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com
Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:36- Support TNM
00:01:01- Introduction
00:02:16 -Pahalgam Terror Attack
00:11:43 -Bengaluru Debate
00:51:05- VP vs. Supreme Court
01:15:21 - Letters
01:21:58 - Recommendations
Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.
Become a subscriber - Click here.
Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.
To check out our other shows, Click here
To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here
Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
More episodes
View all episodes

54. The State of Investigative Journalism in 2025 India | South Central Episode 54
01:09:34||Season 1, Ep. 54In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss whether investigative journalism is becoming one of the most endangered professions in India or is that a misplaced fear. Looking back at 2025, the conversation focuses on how much space investigative reporting still has, the risks journalists face, and whether strong reporting is able to create real impact. They are joined by investigative journalists Josy Joseph, founder of Confluence Media, Rema Nagarajan, senior editor-research at Times of India and independent journalist Nikita Saxena.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:00:51 - Kerala Actor Assault Case00:01:48 - Headlines 00:13:07 - Investigative Journalism in India 01:03:10- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
53. Secularism, Religion and the Indian State in 2025 | South Central 53
01:33:12||Season 1, Ep. 53In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss India’s Constitutional value of secularism and the contradictions in its practice. The panel delves into how India has fared, or not, in prioritising Constitutional values vis-à-vis political agenda. They are joined by journalist and activist Aakar Patel and Seema Chishti, the editorial head of The Wire.Reporting Fund: The Shady Business of Stolen FootageOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:07 - CCTV series00:03:56- Dileep Case Verdict00:06:07 - Headlines 00:16:29 - Secularism in India01:29:41- RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji
52. The Dileep case and how SIR is unfolding across states | South Central 52
01:20:20||Season 1, Ep. 52In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Kerala actor assault case of 2017, which superstar Dileep is accused of orchestrating. As the verdict is expected in a week, the hosts take us through the details of the case and its impact on Kerala society. They are joined by TNM’s Associate Editor, Sukanya Shaji and Breaking News Head, Azeefa Fathima. In the second session, the hosts delve into the SIR, the pressure exerted on BLOS, and the discrepancies in the process itself. The guests are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed.The News Minute & Newslaundry 26% discount offerOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:11 - 26% Discount00:05:16 - Headlines 00:12:57 - Dileep Case Verdict 00:48:03 - SIR Across States01:16:22- RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.
51. Sridhar Vembu’s Anti-Vaccine Claim and Privatisation of Govt Hospitals and Medical Colleges | South Central 51
01:24:52||Season 1, Ep. 51In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the anti-vaccine statements made by billionaire Sridhar Vembu. In the second session, the hosts delve into the efforts of several governments, including Karnataka and Andhra, to implement a PPP model in the health education sector. The hosts are joined by Dr PV Ramesh, IAS, and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor with more than two decades of experience.Let Me Explain is 100 not outOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:08 - LME 10000:02:22 - Headlines 00:13:33 - Vembu’s Anti-Vax Claim 00:47:36 - Privatisation of hospitals 01:18:53- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.
50. How Kerala says it ended extreme poverty, & inside Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral win | South Central
01:28:08||Season 1, Ep. 50In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss Kerala’s announcement that it has eradicated extreme poverty. They are joined by T.V. Anupama, IAS officer and Special Secretary, Local Self Government Department and Devaswom, and Freddy Thomas, Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Christ University. The discussion explores how families were identified, the state’s micro-plan approach to welfare, and the challenges of sustaining such interventions over time.In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by senior journalist Prajwal Bhatt from New York to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s mayor. Prajwal explains how Mamdani’s campaign mobilised young voters and sections of Indian Americans, including “Hindus for Zohran,” while drawing sharp reactions from segments of the Indian right wing.Read: Ayodhya of the southOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:44 - Ayodhya of the south 00:04:03 - Headlines 00:14:02 - Kerala eradicates extreme poverty 00:49:26 - Mamdani wins01:09:51 - Yogendra Yadav on SIR 01:25:02- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
49. Why ECI is pushing SIR, Yogendra Yadav explains | What the Bumble & Ranjith cases reveal about consent
01:22:30||Season 1, Ep. 49In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls across the country, and the controversies surrounding it. The hosts are joined by activist and psephologist Yogendra Yadav. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss two High Court orders–from Kerala and Karnataka– that quash FIRs in sexual harassment cases. They are joined by former lawyer and journalist Sukanya Shaji.This week's episode is brought to you by Newslaundry. Click here to supportThe Shady Business of Stolen Footage: Support the report fund Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:44 - CCTV Series 00:02:47 - Headlines 00:08:45 - Support Newslaundry 00:09:45 - Headlines00:15:12 - Yogendra Yadav on SIR 00:54:55- Bumble & Ranjith Cases01:15:38- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.
48. Kerala school hijab row and Andhra–Karnataka fight over Google Centre
01:18:16||Season 1, Ep. 48In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the hijab controversy in Kerala, and whether it is a question of faith or the right to education. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Shahina KK and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss the newly announced Google data centre in Visakhapatnam, whether it is viable for the state, and the row between Karnataka and Andhra ministers over it. The hosts are joined by Indulekha Aravind, a senior journalist who primarily writes on business.Celebrate Deepavali with us with this special offer: https://pages.razorpay.com/deepavali25 Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:04: Diwali Offer00:01:52 - RSF Press Freedom Nomination00:05:05 - Headlines 00:19:00 - Kerala Hijab row 00:58:10- Karnataka-Andhra Spat01:15:27- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.
47. Why Dashwanth Was Acquitted | RSS Marches, Lathis and Secular Space
01:29:29||Season 1, Ep. 47In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Dashwanth, convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a minor girl in Tamil Nadu. They are joined by Azeefa Fathima, TNM’s head of Breaking News. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss the RSS’s centenary year and the outfit’s presence in the southern states. They are joined by historian and author V Geetha, and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal.Celebrate Deepavali with us with this special offer: https://pages.razorpay.com/deepavali25 Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction 00:01:35: Diwali Offer00:02:48 - Headlines 00:12:18 - Dashwanth Case 00:43:38- RSS in south India01:24:05- Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.
Trailer: South Central
00:49|