The Indian police force of late has been in the thick of controversy for alleged extrajudicial killings or fake encounters. The motivation of the police behind the killings in many recent cases has come into question. The Supreme Court has categorically declared that extrajudicial killings violate the fundamental right to life enshrined in the Constitution. Such killings are nothing but the misuse of power by the police. We speak to families of people who lost their lives to controversial encounters. 

Speakers: 

Afroz 

Wife of late Zeeshan Haider 



Meeran Chadha Borwankar

Retired DG, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD)



PV Krishnamachary

Advocate

(Appeared for the 4 accused in in the rape and murder of Disha)



Ravindranath Angre

Former Mumbai police officer 



Zulfikar Nasir

Survivor, Hashimpura massacre (1987)

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The Indian police force of late has been in the thick of controversy for alleged extrajudicial killings or fake encounters. The motivation of the police behind the killings in many recent cases has come into question. The Supreme Court has categorically declared that extrajudicial killings violate the fundamental right to life enshrined in the Constitution. Such killings are nothing but the misuse of power by the police. We speak to families of people who lost their lives to controversial encounters. 
Speakers: 
Afroz 
Wife of late Zeeshan Haider 
 
Meeran Chadha Borwankar
Retired DG, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD)
 
PV Krishnamachary
Advocate
(Appeared for the 4 accused in in the rape and murder of Disha)
 
Ravindranath Angre
Former Mumbai police officer 
 
Zulfikar Nasir
Survivor, Hashimpura massacre (1987)<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Fake Encounters: Extra-judicial Killings By Rogue Cops

India’s first trans photojournalist was stripped naked by a cop for refusing sexual favours. The Transgender community was mocked in the UP assembly. The Centre recently told the top court that it could not recognise same-sex marriages. The government has also barred gay and transgender persons from donating blood. In this Podumentary, you will hear the community’s struggles while facing mass discrimination.

Speakers

Payal and Yashvika
Lesbian couple
Social media influencers

Thangjam Santa Singh 
Trans activist

Akhilesh Yadav
President 
Samajwadi Party

Satish Mahana
Speaker 
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Tripthi Shetty 
Trans activist
Businesswoman

Saurabh Kirpal
Senior advocate 
Author

Bella Sharma
Trans activist
Model 

Rifaya Izma
Trans woman

Zoya Thomas Lobo
India’s first trans photojournalist

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India’s first trans photojournalist was stripped naked by a cop for refusing sexual favours. The Transgender community was mocked in the UP assembly. The Centre recently told the top court that it could not recognise same-sex marriages. The government has also barred gay and transgender persons from donating blood. In this Podumentary, you will hear the community’s struggles while facing mass discrimination.
Speakers
Payal and Yashvika Lesbian couple Social media influencers
Thangjam Santa Singh  Trans activist
Akhilesh Yadav President  Samajwadi Party
Satish Mahana Speaker  Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Tripthi Shetty  Trans activist Businesswoman
Saurabh Kirpal Senior advocate  Author
Bella Sharma Trans activist Model 
Rifaya Izma Trans woman
Zoya Thomas Lobo India’s first trans photojournalist<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

LGBTQIA Rights: Can Government Institutionalise Stereotypes?

The second seniormost judge of the Supreme Court of India had recently said that it would take at least 500 to 700 years to dispose of India’s pending bail applications. Why are bail cases pending in India? Hear this latest episode of our Podumentary! 

Speakers:

Dushyant Dave
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

Justice Madan Lokur
Former Judge, Supreme Court 

Leah Verghese
Research Manager, Daksh

Sudhanshu S Pandey
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

Vikas Singh 
President, Supreme Court Bar Association

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The second seniormost judge of the Supreme Court of India had recently said that it would take at least 500 to 700 years to dispose of India’s pending bail applications. Why are bail cases pending in India? Hear this latest episode of our Podumentary! 
Speakers:
Dushyant Dave Senior Advocate, Supreme Court
Justice Madan Lokur Former Judge, Supreme Court 
Leah Verghese Research Manager, Daksh
Sudhanshu S Pandey Senior Advocate, Supreme Court
Vikas Singh  President, Supreme Court Bar Association<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Pending Bail Cases: Do We Need Reforms or Revolution?

Description

The last government of India census was conducted in 2011, and the next exercise was to have taken place in 2021. The government could not meet the 2021 timeline because of the Covid pandemic. But unfortunately, the census exercise continues to be delayed even when other pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted in the country. Why has the government put the census on hold and how has it impacted us? Hear this Podumentary out!



Speakers: 

Avani Kapur

Senior Fellow

Centre for Policy Research



Mala Ramanathan 

Professor, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology 



PC Mohanan

Former Acting Chairperson

National Statistical Commission 



Sonalde Desai 

Professor | Director 

NCAER - National Data Innovation Centre, Delhi 



Udaya Shankar Mishra 

Professor

Centre For Development Studies 



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Description
The last government of India census was conducted in 2011, and the next exercise was to have taken place in 2021. The government could not meet the 2021 timeline because of the Covid pandemic. But unfortunately, the census exercise continues to be delayed even when other pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted in the country. Why has the government put the census on hold and how has it impacted us? Hear this Podumentary out!
 
Speakers: 
Avani Kapur
Senior Fellow
Centre for Policy Research
 
Mala Ramanathan 
Professor, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology 
 
PC Mohanan
Former Acting Chairperson
National Statistical Commission 
 
Sonalde Desai 
Professor | Director 
NCAER - National Data Innovation Centre, Delhi 
 
Udaya Shankar Mishra 
Professor
Centre For Development Studies 
 <a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Why has the government put the census on hold?

Description

The Mid-Day Meal scheme, which is the government’s scheme for free Mid-Day meals in schools, was initially designed to better the nutritional standing of school-going children, but since the inception of this programme, the Mid-Day Meal scheme has been in the thick of controversy over the substandard quality of food served to children and the scheme’s poor implementation. Hear what’s going wrong with the scheme!



Speakers: 



Anuradha Talwar 

State Convener

Right To Food Campaign (RTFC)

West Bengal



Asif Hussain Sohail 

President, Telangana Parents Association for Child Rights and Safety



Chandan Maiti
Secretary, Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses, West Bengal



Dr Sylvia Karpagam

Researcher

Public Health Doctor 



Dr Veena Shatrughna 

Former Deputy Director

National Institute of Nutrition

Hyderabad 



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Description
The Mid-Day Meal scheme, which is the government’s scheme for free Mid-Day meals in schools, was initially designed to better the nutritional standing of school-going children, but since the inception of this programme, the Mid-Day Meal scheme has been in the thick of controversy over the substandard quality of food served to children and the scheme’s poor implementation. Hear what’s going wrong with the scheme!
 
Speakers: 
 
Anuradha Talwar 
State Convener
Right To Food Campaign (RTFC)
West Bengal
 
Asif Hussain Sohail 
President, Telangana Parents Association for Child Rights and Safety
 
Chandan Maiti Secretary, Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses, West Bengal
 
Dr Sylvia Karpagam
Researcher
Public Health Doctor 
 
Dr Veena Shatrughna 
Former Deputy Director
National Institute of Nutrition
Hyderabad 
 <a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Corruption and Controversies

Description

Delhi Nurses Federation (DNF), a conglomeration of thousands of nurses, have decided to intensify their protests. The federation has stated that they have repeatedly written to the Delhi government to redress their grievances, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Why are the nurses protesting, and how is the government putting public health at risk by not heeding the legitimate demands of the nursing community? Hear this Podumentary out!



Speakers: 

Amit Pandey

General Secretary

Lok Nayak Hospital Nurses Union 



Anita Mathew 

Senior Nursing Staff 

GB Pant Hospital



Devendra Kumar Jain

General Secretary 

GB Pant Hospital



Liladhar Ramchandani
Secretary General

Delhi Nurses Federation



Punam

Nursing Officer 

Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital

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Description
Delhi Nurses Federation (DNF), a conglomeration of thousands of nurses, have decided to intensify their protests. The federation has stated that they have repeatedly written to the Delhi government to redress their grievances, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Why are the nurses protesting, and how is the government putting public health at risk by not heeding the legitimate demands of the nursing community? Hear this Podumentary out!
 
Speakers: 
Amit Pandey
General Secretary
Lok Nayak Hospital Nurses Union 
 
Anita Mathew 
Senior Nursing Staff 
GB Pant Hospital
 
Devendra Kumar Jain
General Secretary 
GB Pant Hospital
 
Liladhar Ramchandani Secretary General
Delhi Nurses Federation
 
Punam
Nursing Officer 
Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Delhi Nurses Strike For Basic Rights

The United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative released the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report last month. According to the report, Meghalaya and Assam are some of the poorest states in India. The Niti Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index report also puts Assam, Meghalaya, and some more Northeastern states on the poorest list. Why are some of the Northeast Indian states that are endowed with rich natural resources multidimensionally poor? Hear this Podumentary out!



Speakers: 

Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia
Human rights and Social activist 



Dundee C Khongsit
President, The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo people (FKJGP)



Karma Paljor
Editor in Chief
East Mojo 



Prof Sanjoy Hazarika
Director, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Jamia Millia Islamia 



Suhas Chakma
Director, Rights & Risks Analysis Group 



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The United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative released the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report last month. According to the report, Meghalaya and Assam are some of the poorest states in India. The Niti Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index report also puts Assam, Meghalaya, and some more Northeastern states on the poorest list. Why are some of the Northeast Indian states that are endowed with rich natural resources multidimensionally poor? Hear this Podumentary out!
 
Speakers: 
Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia Human rights and Social activist 
 
Dundee C Khongsit President, The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo people (FKJGP)
 
Karma Paljor Editor in Chief East Mojo 
 
Prof Sanjoy Hazarika Director, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Jamia Millia Islamia 
 
Suhas Chakma Director, Rights &amp; Risks Analysis Group 
 <a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Unlock The Power Of The Northeast

When the government of India introduced the electoral bonds, it claimed they would bring transparency to political party funding. But the bonds have just done the opposite. It compromised electoral transparency and has made political party funding murky in the world’s largest democracy. Why are electoral bonds continuing to damage Indian democracy even after it was red-flagged by the Election Commission of India? Hear this Podumentary out!

Speakers:

Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd)

RTI activist



Jagdeep S Chhokar

Founder & Trustee 

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)



Poonam Agarwal

Freelance Development Researcher, BBC

Editor Investigations, The Quint



SY Quraishi

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India



Ullekh NP 

Executive Editor

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When the government of India introduced the electoral bonds, it claimed they would bring transparency to political party funding. But the bonds have just done the opposite. It compromised electoral transparency and has made political party funding murky in the world’s largest democracy. Why are electoral bonds continuing to damage Indian democracy even after it was red-flagged by the Election Commission of India? Hear this Podumentary out!
Speakers:
Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd)
RTI activist
 
Jagdeep S Chhokar
Founder &amp; Trustee 
Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)
 
Poonam Agarwal
Freelance Development Researcher, BBC
Editor Investigations, The Quint
 
SY Quraishi
Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
 
Ullekh NP 
Executive Editor<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Electoral Bonds: The curse of Indian democracy

According to the latest demographic sample survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jharkhand and West Bengal are the two states in India where more than half of the women are married off before attaining 21 years of age. As per UNICEF, one in three of the world’s child brides live in India. Of the country’s 223 million child brides, 102 million were married before turning 15.

Most child brides in India are victims of either poverty, pandemic or patriarchy. In this Podumentary, we speak to experts who have been at the forefront of fighting this social evil. 



Speakers:



Karminder Kaur
Child Marriage Prohibition Officer

Haryana government 



Pallabi Ghosh

Anti-trafficking activist

Founder, Impact & Dialogue Foundation



Poonam Muttreja 

Executive Director

Population Foundation of India



Vageshwari Deswal 

Faculty of Law

University of Delhi



Yogesh Vaishnav 
Co-founder 
Vikalp Sansthan

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According to the latest demographic sample survey by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jharkhand and West Bengal are the two states in India where more than half of the women are married off before attaining 21 years of age. As per UNICEF, one in three of the world’s child brides live in India. Of the country’s 223 million child brides, 102 million were married before turning 15.
Most child brides in India are victims of either poverty, pandemic or patriarchy. In this Podumentary, we speak to experts who have been at the forefront of fighting this social evil. 
 
Speakers:
 
Karminder Kaur Child Marriage Prohibition Officer
Haryana government 
 
Pallabi Ghosh
Anti-trafficking activist
Founder, Impact &amp; Dialogue Foundation
 
Poonam Muttreja 
Executive Director
Population Foundation of India
 
Vageshwari Deswal 
Faculty of Law
University of Delhi
 
Yogesh Vaishnav Co-founder Vikalp Sansthan<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Child Brides: Victims of Pandemic, Poverty & Patriarchy

Recently, it was reported that India overtook the United Kingdom to become the fifth largest economy in the world. The IMF projections placed India in the fifth position after the US, China, Japan and Germany. The premise of India overtaking the UK was based on the calculations of Bloomberg, which had used the IMF database for its study. Should India rejoice at this milestone, or should we exercise caution and not be complacent? 



Speakers: 



Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Economist
Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India



Dr Charan Singh
Economist
CEO, EGROW Foundation



Santosh Mehrotra
Human Development Economist



Mohan Guruswamy
Economist
Political strategist



Anitha Rangan
Economist, Equirus

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Recently, it was reported that India overtook the United Kingdom to become the fifth largest economy in the world. The IMF projections placed India in the fifth position after the US, China, Japan and Germany. The premise of India overtaking the UK was based on the calculations of Bloomberg, which had used the IMF database for its study. Should India rejoice at this milestone, or should we exercise caution and not be complacent? 
 
Speakers: 
 
Montek Singh Ahluwalia Economist Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India
 
Dr Charan Singh Economist CEO, EGROW Foundation
 
Santosh Mehrotra Human Development Economist
 
Mohan Guruswamy Economist Political strategist
 
Anitha Rangan Economist, Equirus<a href="https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/" rel="payment">Support Our Independent Journalism: https://theprobe.in/become-a-member/</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

How sound is the Indian economy?

The Probe Podumentary is a series of audio documentaries on topics and stories that matter to people and are part of our public interest journalism in India.

The Probe Podumentary

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