DAKSH Podcast

Welcome to the DAKSH podcast. DAKSH is a Bangalore-based non-profit dedicated to judicial reforms and access to justice in India. Through this series, we will critically examine India’s laws, judicial administration, the prison system, family law and other topics that we hope will help you understand our public institutions and your rights. Join us every Tuesday, as we discuss and decode this system.

  1. Police Violence in Films

    07/01/2024

    Police Violence in Films

    In this episode, we explore the depiction of custodial violence in films with Deepanjana Pal. Deepanjana Pal is a journalist and author. She writes about culture and society. Her film writing has appeared in a range of publications and she was most recently the managing editor of the website Film Companion.  Films about cops in India often sensationalise and normalise police brutality, possibly desensitising audiences to the suffering of real people. In this episode, we critically examined how these films reflect societal attitudes toward power, authority, and justice. We also discussed whether they contribute to meaningful discourse or merely exploit trauma for entertainment.  References: K Chandru, What The Sathankulam Custodial Murders Reveal https://article-14.com/post/what-the-sathankulam-custodial-murders-reveal Kalpana Nair, Five Films that Don’t Glamorise Police Violence https://www.filmcompanion.in/fc-lists/jayaraj-bennix-5-films-that-dont-glamorise-police-violence-visaranai-vetrimaran-sooryavanshi-singham Omkar Khandekar, Rethinking the angry young cop in Indian cinema https://lifestyle.livemint.com/how-to-lounge/movies-tv/rethinking-the-angry-young-cop-in-indian-cinema-111634476144273.html Karthik Kumar, Sathankulam custodial deaths: Singam director Hari regrets making films glorifying police https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/sathankulam-custodial-deaths-singam-director-hari-regrets-making-films-glorifying-police/story-2NxchO4mslUFz2s68NkW4H.html Rohit Shetty reacts to claims of glorifying police brutality with his films: ‘Darr hona zaruri hai, okay to get trolled' https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/rohit-shetty-reacts-to-claims-of-glorifying-police-brutality-with-his-films-101704964787324.html   CREDITS: Host: Leah Verghese This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Sound Design & Mixing:  Lakshman Parsuram Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

    34 min
  2. Bulldozer Justice

    06/17/2024

    Bulldozer Justice

    In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas discussed the controversial practice known as Bulldozer Justice in India. What drives the sudden demolitions of homes and businesses across various regions? How does this form of enforcement reflect on the rule of law in the country? Join us as we trace the origins of Bulldozer Justice, examining the role of state machinery in these aggressive actions. We’ll dive into the legal framework surrounding these demolitions, questioning their legality and the often dubious justifications provided. A pattern surrounding these demolitions and instances of where these have been carried out are discussed,  highlighting the communities most affected by these forceful measures. Through this episode, we aim to shed light on the connection between Bulldozer Justice and the broader Rule Of Law in India. Is this practice a necessary step for maintaining public order, or does it signify a troubling drift towards authoritarianism? References: Bulldozers as a symbol: https://time.com/6303571/how-bulldozers-became-a-symbol-of-anti-muslim-sentiment-in-india/ Bulldozers and Rule of Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm4uqipWEtA Bulldozers as vehicles of injustice: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61837134 Ignorance of a pattern in demolitions by courts: https://indconlawphil.wordpress.com/2022/07/13/home-demolitions-and-george-orwells-supreme-court/ CREDITS: Host: Ninni Susan Thomas This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Sound Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

    13 min
  3. Switching Sides: The Intricacies of Anti-Defection in Politics

    06/10/2024

    Switching Sides: The Intricacies of Anti-Defection in Politics

    After the nail-biting election results in India on June 4, 2024, with margins fluctuating dramatically, many contemplated the possibility of defections of elected politicians to other parties. Defections have become such a staple in Indian politics that social media was rife with memes about politicians being sequestered in resorts. Against this backdrop, this episode where Ninni Susan Thomas interviews MR Madhavan would offer some valuable insights. MR Madhavan is the co-founder and President of PRS Legislative Research. PRS was established to deliver high-quality, independent research to legislators, aiming to help them grasp the complexities of various issues and understand the impact of policies through data analysis. After exploring the history of the anti-defection law in India, the discussion in the episode moves to the repercussions of defection, the influence of the anti-defection law on parliamentary democracy, and its impact on legislative debates. The conversation also touches on the roles of the Speaker and the courts during defection crises, and Madhavan shares his perspectives on the future of the anti-defection law.   References: Explanation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/understanding-the-tenth-schedule-explained/article67746169.ece Effectiveness of the anti-defection law: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/anti-defection-law-doesnt-work-at-crunch-time-it-needs-to-be-scrapped/ Anti-defection law in practice: https://prsindia.org/articles-by-prs-team/the-absurdity-of-the-anti-defection-law Gaps in the anti-defection law: https://theleaflet.in/defects-writ-large-in-the-anti-defection-law/ Resort politics in India: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61905894 Summary of Nabam Rebia judgement : https://www.scobserver.in/reports/nabam-rebia-deputy-speaker-arunachal-pradesh-presidents-rule-judgment-in-plain-english/ CREDITS: Host: Ninni Susan Thomas  This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Sound Design & Mixing:  Vijay Doiphode Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

    31 min
  4. Marriage Equality Case

    05/13/2024

    Marriage Equality Case

    In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas speaks to Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran, a former Additional Solicitor General and who has been involved in influential cases related to constitutional law at the Supreme Court for more than 3 decades. Some  nuances about the Marriage Equality Case which was heard by the Supreme Court where the legal recognition of  same-sex marriages in India was sought for and he represented one of the petitioners were discussed. Other topics of discussion included whether the Supreme Court was the right forum for this adjudication, the impact of the judgement on other constitutional and discrimination cases,  the Supreme Court choosing not to decide on the notice provisions in the Special Marriage Act and his thoughts on the Supreme Court having asked for a decision on the issue to be made by a Committee to be constituted by the Union Government.  References:   Supriyo & Anr. v. Union of India, judgement in the Marriage Equality Case: https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2022/36593/36593_2022_1_1501_47792_Judgement_17-Oct-2023.pdf Round-up of the hearings and constitutional issues: https://indconlawphil.wordpress.com/2023/11/22/the-supreme-courts-marriage-equality-judgment-round-up/ Delinking personal laws: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/adjudicating-marriage-equality-an-opportunity-lost-or-a-bullet-dodged/ Effect on fundamental rights: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/marriage-equality-judgement-overlooking-fundamental-rights-justice-bhat-on-marriage-equality/#:~:text=There%20were%20four%20opinions%20among,of%20LGBTQIA%2B%20persons%20to%20marry. Effect on the queer community: https://repository.nls.ac.in/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1046&context=popular-media Court not dealing with the  notice provisions in Special Marriage Act: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/same-sex-marriage-supreme-court-special-marriage-act-provisions-notice-objections-228449 CREDITS:Host: Ninni Susan Thomas This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Sound Design & Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

    28 min

About

Welcome to the DAKSH podcast. DAKSH is a Bangalore-based non-profit dedicated to judicial reforms and access to justice in India. Through this series, we will critically examine India’s laws, judicial administration, the prison system, family law and other topics that we hope will help you understand our public institutions and your rights. Join us every Tuesday, as we discuss and decode this system.

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