Episode notes
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the NEET exam paper leak and the subsequent developments. They are joined by educationist and the founder of Career 360, Maheshwer Peri and TNM Associate Editor Nandini Chandrashekar. In the second part of the discussions, the hosts discuss the austerity measures announced by PM Modi, including a ban on exports and judicious use of oil and gas. They are joined by journalist and founder of India’s first data journalism initiative IndiaSpend, Govindraj Ethiraj. Audio timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction…
South Central
by The News Minute · English · News
Welcome to South Central, a podcast from The News Minute dedicated to bringing the south of India to the forefront. Each episode dives into the stories, challenges, and perspectives that shape the region and often go unheard in national conversations.
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5 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Annamalai says bye to BJP: Reasons and what’s in store
In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the recent political developments in Tamil Nadu and the resignation of the BJP’s former state head, Annamalai. They are joined by senior journalist RK Radhakrishnan. In the second part of the episode, hosts discuss the Kerala government’s proposal to allow three days of period leave every month for school girls. They are joined by activist and physician Dr Jayashree AK and menstrual therapist and climate change educator Kavya. Audio timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:29 - Headlines 00:13:12 - Annamalai…
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29 May 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
Karnataka after Siddaramaiah and rise of Cockroach Janta Party | South Central 77
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the cabinet change in Karnataka and what Siddaramaiah’s resignation will mean for the state’s politics. They are joined by professor and commentator Prithvi Datta Chandra Shobhi. In the second half of the episode, the hosts discuss the Cockroach Janta Party and what this new political movement could mean. They are joined by TNM Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal and Newslaundry Editorial Director Manisha Pande. Audio timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:50 - Headlines 00:12:21 - Siddaramaiah 00:48:20 -…
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22 May 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
TVK’s social media game in Tamil Nadu and anti-SIR debate | South Central 76
In this episode of South Central, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Anisha Sheth first discuss the unprecedented use of social media in Tamil Nadu by Vijay’s TVK and whether it has reshaped politics in the state. They are joined by journalist and translator Kavitha Muralidharan and TNM’s Associate Editor Nandini Chandrasekhar. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the SIR process in Karnataka, which has faced considerable resistance. They are joined by activist and journalist Shivasundar. Audio timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:06 - Headlines 00:10:02 - TVK social media game…
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8 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Vijay, the Governor and future of INDIA alliance
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the political developments in Tamil Nadu and the national implications of the fallout between DMK and Congress. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief, Shabbir Ahmed, journalist and political analyst Rasheed Kidwai, and K Venkataramanan, a senior journalist who was previously with The Hindu. Support South Central Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions, and…
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1 May 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
TN and Kerala exit polls: Believable or not?
In the first part of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the Kerala and Tamil Nadu exit polls and the recent political developments in both states. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahmed, Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, and senior reporter Azeefa Fathima. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the World Press Freedom Index 2026, in which India has slipped down to 157. They are joined by senior journalist Laxmi Murthy, who is also the founder and co-editor of the Free Speech Collective. Audio timecodes: 00:00:00…
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S1 · E74 · 24 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
The delimitation question & Telangana caste survey | South Central Podcast
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss delimitation and what states should now be discussing with the Union government. They are joined by former IAS officer Rangarajan Ramakrishnan. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the Telangana government’s Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024, its main findings, how poverty intermingles with caste to create marginalisations, and more. They are joined by academician and commentator Professor PL Visweshwar Rao, and TNM’s Executive Editor…
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9 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 1 minNew
Does Gyanesh Kumar have immunity from the law? | South Central 96
In this week's South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth are joined by activist Shivasundar to discuss the nationwide protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's removal. In the second part of the discussion, they are joined by lawyer and legal scholar Alok Prasanna, co-founder of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, who talks about the legal immunity enjoyed by the CEC. Audio time codes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:42 - Headlines 00:08:12 - SIR protests 00:27:19 - Can Election…
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2 Oct 2026 · 53 min
Parakala Prabhakar on the ECI, SIR and the deletion of voters | South Central 95
In this week’s South Central, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Anisha Sheth are joined by political economist and author Dr Parakala Prabhakar for an extended conversation on the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the deletion of voters and the larger questions these developments raise about India’s electoral democracy. Audio timecodes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:35 - Headlines 00:09:35 - ECI, SIR and the deletion of voters Support our legal fund. Click here Check out the recommendations and references from this episode . Check out the…
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25 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 15 min
Veeramani case, Reporter TV raid and ECI dissent | South Central 94
This week’s South Central examines the questions surrounding the Veeramani case in Tamil Nadu, allegations of police inaction and a culture of silence. Hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by TNM’s Chennai Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed. The episode also discusses the police raid on the Reporter TV newsroom and the wider debate over press freedom and media ownership, with senior journalist MG Radhakrishnan joining the conversation. The episode also looks at reported dissent within the Election Commission of India, questions over electoral roll verification and the centralisation…
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18 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Could AI destroy humanity? | What’s happening in Telangana politics? | South Central 93
In this week's South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna explore whether AI could pose an existential threat to humanity, and what regulation and the debate over whether AI development needs to slow down. They are joined by Sarayu Natarajan, founder of Aapti Institute and Visiting Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Deepthi Bathini, AI Policy and Strategy Fellow at Successif and Associate Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University. In the second part of the episode, the hosts turn to the political developments in Telangana, including the ruckus…
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