In this episode, the first in our series on elections, Leah Verghese discusses the Election Commission, the institution that oversees the mammoth task of elections in the world’s largest democracy. Learn more about this significant public institution, its origin, evolution, and the important personalities who shaped its trajectory.If you like our podcast, do consider supporting us with a donation at the link below: https://www.dakshindia.org/donate/
References
About Election Commission of Indiahttps://www.eci.gov.in/about-eci
An Expert Explains: How EC evolved, what rules it follows in case of disagreementhttps://indianexpress.com/article/explained/an-expert-explains-how-election-commission-evolved-what-rules-it-follows-in-case-of-disagreement-5720029/
Anoop Baranwal vs. Union of India WP (CIVIL) NO.104 OF 2015
Appointment of CEC, EC | Supreme Court refuses to stay new law; issues notice for hearing in April https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/appointment-of-cec-ec-supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-new-law-issues-notice-for-hearing-in-april/article67733389.ece
Manjari Katju, Election Commission and Changing Contours of Politics Economic and Political Weekly Vol. 44, No. 16 (Apr. 18 - 24, 2009)
Manjari Katju, Election Commission and Functioning of Democracy Economic and Political Weekly , Apr. 29 - May 5, 2006, Vol. 41, No. 17 (Apr. 29 - May 5, 2006)
R. P. Bhalla, Electoral Mechanism in India (1951-1971) The Indian Journal of Political Science Vol. 33, No. 1 (JAN-MAR, 1972)
S.S. Dhanoa vs. Union of India (1991) 3 SCC 567
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term Of Office) Act, 2023


CREDITS:Host: Leah Verghese

This is a Maed in India production.

Producer: Sean D’mello

Sound Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram

Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

Research Assistance: Manushree Sarkar

In this episode, the first in our series on elections, Leah Verghese discusses the Election Commission, the institution that oversees the mammoth task of elections in the world’s largest democracy. Learn more about this significant public institution, its origin, evolution, and the important personalities who shaped its trajectory.If you like our podcast, do consider supporting us with a donation at the link below: <a href="https://www.dakshindia.org/donate/">https://www.dakshindia.org/donate/</a> References
<ul>
<li>About Election Commission of India<a href="https://www.eci.gov.in/about-eci"> </a><a href="https://www.eci.gov.in/about-eci">https://www.eci.gov.in/about-eci</a></li>
<li>An Expert Explains: How EC evolved, what rules it follows in case of disagreement<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/an-expert-explains-how-election-commission-evolved-what-rules-it-follows-in-case-of-disagreement-5720029/"> </a><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/an-expert-explains-how-election-commission-evolved-what-rules-it-follows-in-case-of-disagreement-5720029/">https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/an-expert-explains-how-election-commission-evolved-what-rules-it-follows-in-case-of-disagreement-5720029/</a></li>
<li>Anoop Baranwal vs. Union of India WP (CIVIL) NO.104 OF 2015</li>
<li>Appointment of CEC, EC | Supreme Court refuses to stay new law; issues notice for hearing in April <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/appointment-of-cec-ec-supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-new-law-issues-notice-for-hearing-in-april/article67733389.ece">https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/appointment-of-cec-ec-supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-new-law-issues-notice-for-hearing-in-april/article67733389.ece</a></li>
<li>Manjari Katju, Election Commission and Changing Contours of Politics Economic and Political Weekly Vol. 44, No. 16 (Apr. 18 - 24, 2009)</li>
<li>Manjari Katju, Election Commission and Functioning of Democracy Economic and Political Weekly , Apr. 29 - May 5, 2006, Vol. 41, No. 17 (Apr. 29 - May 5, 2006)</li>
<li>R. P. Bhalla, Electoral Mechanism in India (1951-1971) The Indian Journal of Political Science Vol. 33, No. 1 (JAN-MAR, 1972)</li>
<li>S.S. Dhanoa vs. Union of India (1991) 3 SCC 567</li>
<li>The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term Of Office) Act, 2023</li>
</ul>
 CREDITS:Host: Leah Verghese
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production.
Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-d-mello-33006a44/">Sean D’mello</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDmello"> </a>
Sound Mixing: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshman-parsuram-b7889a1b0/">Lakshman Parsuram</a>
Project Supervisor: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-fanthome-b175b4146/">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Research Assistance: Manushree Sarkar

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.

DAKSH Podcast

Election Commission

In this episode, Valay Singh of the India Justice Report (IJR) delves into the critical state of justice capacity in India, highlighting key findings from the India Justice Reports from 2019 and 2022. Access to justice, a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India, is as essential as health, education, and water for the country's social and economic development. The IJR reveals significant challenges within the Indian justice system, from an overwhelming backlog of pending cases to overcrowding in Indian prisons, where the majority of inmates are undertrials, and the systemic issues across legal, police, judiciary and prisons that hinder effective justice delivery.

References:
Approaches to Justice in India https://www.dakshindia.org/approaches-to-justice-in-india/
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) https://bprd.nic.in/
India Justice Report https://indiajusticereport.org/
National Judicial Data Grid (District and Taluka Courts of India) https://njdg.ecourts.gov.in/njdgnew/index.php


CREDITS:

Host: Valay Singh 

This is a Maed in India production.

Producer: Sean D’mello

Sound Design & Mixing: Lakshman Parsuram

Project Supervisor: Shaun Fanthome

In this episode, Valay Singh of the India Justice Report (IJR) delves into the critical state of justice capacity in India, highlighting key findings from the India Justice Reports from 2019 and 2022. Access to justice, a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India, is as essential as health, education, and water for the country's social and economic development. The IJR reveals significant challenges within the Indian justice system, from an overwhelming backlog of pending cases to overcrowding in Indian prisons, where the majority of inmates are undertrials, and the systemic issues across legal, police, judiciary and prisons that hinder effective justice delivery.
References:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Approaches to Justice in India <a href="https://www.dakshindia.org/approaches-to-justice-in-india/">https://www.dakshindia.org/approaches-to-justice-in-india/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&amp;D) https://bprd.nic.in/</li>
<li aria-level="1">India Justice Report https://indiajusticereport.org/</li>
<li aria-level="1">National Judicial Data Grid (District and Taluka Courts of India) <a href="https://njdg.ecourts.gov.in/njdgnew/index.php">https://njdg.ecourts.gov.in/njdgnew/index.php</a></li>
</ul>
 CREDITS:
Host: Valay Singh 
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production.
Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-d-mello-33006a44/">Sean D’mello</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDmello"> </a>
Sound Design &amp; Mixing: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-doiphode-a5a6b176/"> </a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshman-parsuram-b7889a1b0/">Lakshman Parsuram</a>
Project Supervisor: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-fanthome-b175b4146/">Shaun Fanthome </a>

The India Justice Report

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

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:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">K Chandru, What The Sathankulam Custodial Murders Reveal</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://article-14.com/post/what-the-sathankulam-custodial-murders-reveal">https://article-14.com/post/what-the-sathankulam-custodial-murders-reveal</a>
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">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</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lifestyle.livemint.com/author/omkar-khandekar">Omkar Khandekar</a>, 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</li>
<li aria-level="1">Karthik Kumar, Sathankulam custodial deaths: Singam director Hari regrets making films glorifying police <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/sathankulam-custodial-deaths-singam-director-hari-regrets-making-films-glorifying-police/story-2NxchO4mslUFz2s68NkW4H.html">https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/sathankulam-custodial-deaths-singam-director-hari-regrets-making-films-glorifying-police/story-2NxchO4mslUFz2s68NkW4H.html</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Rohit Shetty reacts to claims of glorifying police brutality with his films: ‘Darr hona zaruri hai, okay to get trolled'</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/rohit-shetty-reacts-to-claims-of-glorifying-police-brutality-with-his-films-101704964787324.html">https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/rohit-shetty-reacts-to-claims-of-glorifying-police-brutality-with-his-films-101704964787324.html</a>
 
CREDITS:
Host: Leah Verghese
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production.
Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-d-mello-33006a44/">Sean D’mello</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDmello"> </a>
Sound Design &amp; Mixing: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-doiphode-a5a6b176/"> </a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshman-parsuram-b7889a1b0/">Lakshman Parsuram</a>
Project Supervisor: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-fanthome-b175b4146/">Shaun Fanthome</a>

Police Violence in Films

In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas speaks with Ajay Shah about systemic challenges in the Indian legal system, particularly around case hearings, scheduling, and potential solutions. They question whether the focus on issues like pendency and the number of judges overshadows the correctness of decision-making. Emphasising a first principles perspective, the discussion stresses addressing root causes, rather than symptoms such as high case pendency and delays. Other key areas discussed include timely justice, case resolution predictability, and courts' accountability as service providers. Reducing judges' administrative burdens to improve adjudication efficiency was also highlighted. The conversation explored the potential of IT reforms and AI in judicial processes, advocating for efficiency while cautioning against superficial implementation.

References:
Evaluating courts from a Litigant’s Perspective: https://papers.xkdr.org/papers/2023Manivannanetal_evaluatingCourtsFromLitigantPerspectiveReport.pdf
Administrative workload management of courts: https://macrofinance.nipfp.org.in/PDF/icts_concept_note-2019.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybvwp9qhJqY





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

In this episode, Ninni Susan Thomas speaks with Ajay Shah about systemic challenges in the Indian legal system, particularly around case hearings, scheduling, and potential solutions. They question whether the focus on issues like pendency and the number of judges overshadows the correctness of decision-making. Emphasising a first principles perspective, the discussion stresses addressing root causes, rather than symptoms such as high case pendency and delays. Other key areas discussed include timely justice, case resolution predictability, and courts' accountability as service providers. Reducing judges' administrative burdens to improve adjudication efficiency was also highlighted. The conversation explored the potential of IT reforms and AI in judicial processes, advocating for efficiency while cautioning against superficial implementation.
References:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Evaluating courts from a Litigant’s Perspective: <a href="https://papers.xkdr.org/papers/2023Manivannanetal_evaluatingCourtsFromLitigantPerspectiveReport.pdf">https://papers.xkdr.org/papers/2023Manivannanetal_evaluatingCourtsFromLitigantPerspectiveReport.pdf</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Administrative workload management of courts: <a href="https://macrofinance.nipfp.org.in/PDF/icts_concept_note-2019.pdf">https://macrofinance.nipfp.org.in/PDF/icts_concept_note-2019.pdf</a></li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybvwp9qhJqY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybvwp9qhJqY</a>
 
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="mailto:ninni@dakshindia.org">Ninni Susan Thomas</a> 
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production.
Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-d-mello-33006a44/">Sean D’mello</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDmello"> </a>
Sound Design &amp; Mixing: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-doiphode-a5a6b176/">Vijay Doiphode</a>
Project Supervisor: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-fanthome-b175b4146/">Shaun Fanthome</a>

Election Commission

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