What's your ism?

Sudipto Mondal, The News Minute

What's your ism is a podcast about ideas and ideologies that claim to liberate the world and somehow always fall short. TNM's Sudipto Mondal and his guests grapple with impressive sounding isms -- Marxism, Feminism, Ambedkarism, religious systems -- and their inherent contradictions. An attempt to understand academics, activists, politicians, artists, rebels and wannabe revolutionaries who are in search of grand unified theories to solve the problems of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Bengali Muslim and the Bangladeshi Dalit | Dr Navine Murshid and Sudipto Mondal | WYI

    Jun 2

    The Bengali Muslim and the Bangladeshi Dalit | Dr Navine Murshid and Sudipto Mondal | WYI

    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 here Camera: Ajay R, Megha Mukundan Producer: Maria Teresa Raju, Dharini Prabaharan Editor: Jaseem Ali Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 22m
  2. Who Picks Bengaluru’s Garbage? R Khaleemulah on Migrant Workers & Hate Politics | WYI EP 50

    May 24

    Who Picks Bengaluru’s Garbage? R Khaleemulah on Migrant Workers & Hate Politics | WYI EP 50

    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 YouTube 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 Camera: Ajay R, Megha Mukundan Producer& Editor: Dharini Prabaharan Design: Krishna Kumar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 35m
  3. Census, Hunter, Eaton: Essential reading on the Bengali Muslim | What's Your Ism EP 49

    May 12

    Census, Hunter, Eaton: Essential reading on the Bengali Muslim | What's Your Ism EP 49

    One of West Bengal’s most controversial poll seasons just concluded, with the Bharatiya Janata Party defeating the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government.  This election season was different than usual because of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls that preceded it. Thousands of voters found themselves disenfranchised, and the narrative of the ‘infiltrator’ was amplified several times over. Bearing the brunt of it all is a marginalised minority, the Bengali Muslims. Now that polls are done, it's time for a quick history lesson. In this week’s What’s Your Ism, Sudipto Mondal & Dr Nadira Khatun offer insightful glimpses into Bengal history, especially that of its Muslim populace. For the discussion, they rely on some key texts, like the 1871 Hunter Commission Report, 1921 Census Report, Richard Eaton’s writings, & Navine Murshid’ ‘India’s Bangladesh Problem’. Watch the full episode as Sudipto and Nadira engage in an in-depth and insightful discussion. 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 Producer: Dharini Prabaharan, Vignesh Manickam Edit: Vignesh Manickam Promo: Dharini Prabaharan, Krishna Kumar Design: Dharini Prabaharan Camera: Ajay R, Bhuvan Malik Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 59m
  4. Land, Labour, and Liberation ft. Lawyer & CPIML Leader Clifton D’Rozario | What's Your Ism EP 48

    08/20/2025

    Land, Labour, and Liberation ft. Lawyer & CPIML Leader Clifton D’Rozario | What's Your Ism EP 48

    What does justice really look like for India’s working class and oppressed communities? This week on What’s Your Ism?, Clifton D’Rozario, lawyer, CPIML leader, and long-time grassroots activist, joins host Sudipto Mondal to talk about fighting evictions, caste injustice, and class exploitation. From representing informal workers and slum residents to critiquing the limits of India’s judiciary and Constitution, Clifton lays out his Ambedkarite Marxist approach to revolution, rights, and redistribution. 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 Producer: Maria Teresa Raju, Bhuvan Malik Edit: Dharini Prabhaharan Promo: Nikhil Sekhar, Jaseem Ali Design: Krishna Kumar Camera: Ajay R Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 33m
  5. Mamdani’s rise, Trump’s threat, and South Africa’s post-apartheid warning: Journalist Nic Dawes

    07/09/2025

    Mamdani’s rise, Trump’s threat, and South Africa’s post-apartheid warning: Journalist Nic Dawes

    From Mandela to Mamdani, and from Trump to Malema, this is a global story of resistance, betrayal, and unfinished revolutions. In Episode 47 of What’s Your Ism?, journalist Nic Dawes speaks with Sudipto Mondal about the promises of liberation, the politics of redistribution, and whether the Left can still imagine a future beyond fear. 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 Producer: Bhuvan Malik, Editor: Jaseem Ali, Production Assistance: Prajwal Bhatt, Shone Satheesh, Aarav Gupta Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 37m
  6. Dalit Labour, Muslim Migrants, and the City: What’s Your Ism? Reflections

    07/03/2025

    Dalit Labour, Muslim Migrants, and the City: What’s Your Ism? Reflections

    Who are the real hands behind India’s clean cities? Sudipto reflects on the civic workers we rarely see, Dalit and migrant labourers who segregate waste, drive garbage trucks, and often live without rights or recognition. This episode follows the money, the power, and the politics behind urban sanitation. Anchored in his conversation with Du Saraswathi, and framed by Shailaja Paik’s work on caste and morality. 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 and Edited by Jaseem Ali Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  7. “We Are the Broom People”: Caste, Labor and Love | What’s Your Ism? with Du Saraswathi

    06/25/2025

    “We Are the Broom People”: Caste, Labor and Love | What’s Your Ism? with Du Saraswathi

    What happens when movements don’t speak to each other? In Episode 45 of What’s Your Ism?, Sudipto Mondal is joined by Du Saraswathi — who has spent decades bridging Ambedkarism, Marxism, and feminism. A conversation about caste, cleaning, theatre, and what it takes to be seen in a world that looks away. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 50m
  8. Guns, Peace, and Power: What’s Your Ism? Reflections | Maoists vs the Indian State

    06/16/2025

    Guns, Peace, and Power: What’s Your Ism? Reflections | Maoists vs the Indian State

    In this Reflections episode, we return to Dandakaranya — a region where governments change, but the war stays the same. From banned militias reborn in uniform, to Maoist martyrdom that costs young Adivasi lives, this episode unpacks the contradictions inside the State, the rebels, and civil society. Featuring the voices of Prof. G Haragopal and Degree Prasad Chauhan, with reflections on who speaks for peace — and who keeps dying in its name. Like Sudipto’s Ism show? Support him: https://rzp.io/rzp/tnm-wyi  Or become a subscriber: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscription  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min
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About

What's your ism is a podcast about ideas and ideologies that claim to liberate the world and somehow always fall short. TNM's Sudipto Mondal and his guests grapple with impressive sounding isms -- Marxism, Feminism, Ambedkarism, religious systems -- and their inherent contradictions. An attempt to understand academics, activists, politicians, artists, rebels and wannabe revolutionaries who are in search of grand unified theories to solve the problems of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Sudipto Mondal, The News Minute
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The News Minute
  • Show Website
    What's your ism?

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