What's your ism?

Buddhism has become an important part of conversations around caste and Brahminism in the decades following B R Ambedkar’s conversion in 1956. But how did Buddhism evolve from an ancient tradition into a modern political and intellectual force?In the first episode of Seeking Sangha, a special focus series on What's Your ISM?, The News Minute Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal speaks to historian and author Douglas Ober about his book Dust on the Throne and the rediscovery of Buddhism in British colonial times. They discuss Buddhist modernity, Ambedkar’s engagement with Buddhism, the relationship between Buddhism and Brahmanism, and how European scholarship cast new light on the way India’s Buddhist past was understood.Sudipto and Douglas trace the Buddhist revival in the 19th and 20th centuries through figures such as Anagarika Dharmapala, Kripa Saran, and Iyothee Thass who came before Ambedkar and examine Buddhism’s relationship with caste and anti-caste politics. They also discuss Ambedkar, JK Birla, and Gandhi’s approaches to Buddhism, before looking at how Nehru and Modi have used Buddhism as cultural diplomacy and soft power.Like Sudipto’s Ism show? Support him: https://rzp.io/rzp/tnm-wyiSupport the film - Seeking Sangha. Your support will help in defraying the costs of production as well as taking it to a global audience: https://pages.razorpay.com/seekingsanghaOr become a subscriber: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscriptionTo make enquiries about the film or to collaborate in hosting screenings, you can mail seekingsangha@thenewsminute.com

Student politics is returning to the centre of India’s political conversation. But what does this new wave of student activism stand for, and can it grow into a broader political movement?In this episode of What's Your ISM?, The News Minute Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal sits down with student leaders from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA) to discuss the new opportunities to build student politics, the growing anger on Indian campuses, and the possibilities and contradictions within today’s student movements.Sudipto and the student leaders also explore the relationship between caste and class politics, Ambedkar and Marx, the Left and Ambedkarite movements, and whether these forces can find common ground. They discuss the recent student protests, the rise of Gen Z politics, the education crisis, privatisation, unemployment, and the demand for student union elections in Karnataka.The conversation also looks at whether student organisations can build a third front beyond the BJP and Congress, the challenges of organising across caste and class lines, and the role of ideology in sustaining a movement beyond a single protest.They also discuss the Rohith Act campaign in Karnataka, and how different student organisations came together to push for stronger protections against discrimination in universities.Get special 6-month subscription of TNM-NL at Rs 1947: https://pages.razorpay.com/tnm-1947?utm_source=wyi&utm_medium=wyi1947linkk&utm_campaign=wyi Like Sudipto’s Ism show? Support him: https://rzp.io/rzp/tnm-wyi Or become a subscriber: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscription Producer: Akshay Lal, Editor: Vignesh Manickam, Camera: Ajay R

The global order is shifting. American dominance is being challenged, China is reshaping the balance of power, and the world is entering a period of political and economic uncertainty. But what does this mean for India, and what kind of politics will emerge from this moment?In this episode of What's Your ISM?, The News Minute Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal sits down with activist and journalist Shivasundar to discuss the changing world order, the decline of Pax Americana, China's rise, the crisis of global capitalism, the future of democracy, and whether today's political movements are capable of offering real alternatives.Sudipto and Shivasundar also explore the rise of Gen Z politics, the absence of grassroots movements, the decline of the Maoist movement, identity politics, and why every crisis creates both danger and opportunity. They also touch upon the Congress in Karnataka, and the land acquisitions in Bidadi. Like Sudipto’s Ism show? Support him: https://rzp.io/rzp/tnm-wyi Or become a subscriber: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscription

Jailed student activist Umar Khalid’s friends and mentor Banojyotsna Lahiri, Anirban Bhattacharya, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta join TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal to discuss their book ‘Umar Khalid and His World’. The guests read excerpts from the book, and discuss their student days in JNU, the formation of BASO, the evolution of the anti-CAA protests, and what Shaheenbagh meant for the movement. The speakers also discuss the distance that liberal society keeps from Sharjeel Imam, another student activist who has been jailed for over six years. Sudipto also invites them to discuss the prioritisation of the individual over the ideology in recent political history, in the context of actor Vijay’s electoral victory in Tamil Nadu.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 hereCamera: Ajay RProducer: Maria Teresa RajuEditor: Dharini PrabaharanDesign: Krishna Kumar

In the final episode of the special What’s Your Ism sub series titled “Epar Opar Hahakaar”, TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal sits down with political scientist Dr Navine Murshid, who authored the book “India’s Bangladesh Problem”.In an in-depth conversation, they discuss the current political scenario of Bangladesh post the July 2024 uprising. They also speak about the origins of the Bengali Muslim community, one of the world’s youngest Muslim populations. The conversation also moves to the marginalisations faced by the Dalits and Muslims on either side of the border, and discusses historical efforts at Dalit-Muslim unity.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 hereCamera: Ajay R, Megha MukundanProducer: Maria Teresa Raju, Dharini PrabaharanEditor: Jaseem Ali

Who picks Bengaluru’s garbage? And why are Bengali Muslim workers among the most vulnerable labourers in Indian cities today?In this episode of What's Your Ism?, Sudipto Mondal speaks with trade unionist and human rights activist R Khaleemulah about migrant labour, communal politics, garbage contractors, police violence, and the hidden economy behind waste processing in Bengaluru.The discussion explores labour exploitation, trafficking, anti-Bangladeshi rhetoric, and the human cost of keeping cities clean.This conversation is in Dakhani, a south Indian language. English subtitles available on YouTubeBecome 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 hereCamera: Ajay R, Megha MukundanProducer& Editor: Dharini PrabaharanDesign: Krishna Kumar