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The Wire Talks

The Wire
India
Mumbai
United States
Election Commission Of India
London
New York City
West Bengal
IT Rules Amendments (2021-2023)
Nepal
Mental Health
Hindi Cinema
Marathas
Turkey
Canada–india Relations
Religion
Ikkis
The Left (india)
Mughal Empire
Hindi Language Policy
Babri Masjid

The Wire Talks is back, but with a new look. Now, host Sidharth Bhatia will chat with guests on video as well as audio, on issues such as culture, politics, books and much more. Our guests will be well-informed domain experts. The idea is not to get crisp sound bites but to have a real discussion, resulting in an explanation that is insightful and offers the audience much to think about.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes44Foundeda year ago
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Latest Episodes

India is extremely hot right now. Recently, it was reported that 50 of the world’s hottest cities in the world were in India. The media calls it a “heat wave.” This is only going to continue and get worse, says Amita Baviskar, Professor of Environmen... more

Crucial elections will take place in West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. Mamata Bannerjee’s Trinamool Congress has to fight anti-incumbency, because it has been in power since 2011, and the main challenger the Bharatiya Janata Party sees it... more

The recent proposed amendments to IT rules inviting public comments has been explained by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as just procedural but this is not the case. Activists say that if passed, the new rules will further tig... more

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With the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) picking up immigrants especially brown looking people, and even deporting them, a climate of fear has built up among the Indian community, says Sravya Tadepalli. “Indians are the third most undocumen... more

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Recent Guests

Amita Baviskar
Professor of Environmental Studies in Sociology and Anthropology at Ashoka University
Ashoka University
Episode: The Heat Wave in India is an Emergency. And Its Only Going to Get Worse in the Future
Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
Journalist and author; long-time observer of West Bengal politics
Episode: “The Election Commission Is The Key Player In This Election"
Nikhil Pahwa
Founder and editor of Medianama; anthropologist, journalist, and activist
Medianama
Episode: The Amount Of Censorship Of Online Content Has Expanded Exponentially
Sravya Tadepalli
Deputy Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights
Hindus for Human Rights
Episode: Indian Americans Are Very Afraid in a Way That, They Haven’t Been Probably Since the Post 9-11 Era
Sarim Naved
Litigating lawyer who practices in Delhi handling civil and criminal cases at trial and constitutional courts
Independent lawyer
Episode: A Political Element Cannot be Ruled Out in the Lack of Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam | Sarim Naved
Salil Tripathi
Journalist, human rights researcher and author
Episode: There is a Sense of Complacency Among Indian Americans That We Are Doing Quite Well | Salil Tripathi
Pronoti Datta
Author of In the Beginning There was Bombay Duck, a Food History of Mumbai
Speaking Tiger (publisher)
Episode: What Makes Mumbai’s Food History Different From Other Cities
Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Filmmaker and writer
Indian cinema
Episode: The Poetry Has Gone From Our Lives, but Hate Cannot Last Forever | Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Saira Shah Halim
Author of Comrades and Comebacks and CPM candidate in West Bengal elections
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Episode: India Badly Needs a Zohran Mamdani to Take On the Right Wing | Saira Shah Halim

Host

Sidharth Bhatia
Host of The Wire Talks; facilitates discussions and guides interviews.

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The Heat Wave in India is an Emergency. And Its Only Going to Get Worse in the Future
Q: What kinds of policy or planning changes could help reduce heat vulnerability in the near term?
Systemic changes across sectors—renovating building codes to favor climate-friendly design, expanding cooling spaces, rethinking street layouts to improve ventilation, ensuring water and electricity access for workers, and reducing dependence on high-energy cooling with smarter urban planning.
The Heat Wave in India is an Emergency. And Its Only Going to Get Worse in the Future
Q: What are the main drivers behind the current heat crisis beyond just high temperatures?
Global warming interacts with local factors like urbanization, water access, energy use, greenery, airflow, and construction practices to create conditions that feel hotter and more dangerous, especially in dense cities with poor ventilation and limited cooling options.
The Heat Wave in India is an Emergency. And Its Only Going to Get Worse in the Future
Q: What is a heat wave in the Indian context, and why is it becoming more common?
A heat wave is defined by sustained high temperatures over several days, but the intensity and duration are shaped by nighttime temperatures, humidity, and local conditions; human-caused climate change and urban development amplify the experience and frequency of extreme heat.
If a Large Number Are Excluded From Voting in Bihar, Entire Electoral Process will be Suspect | Ashwani Kumar
Q: What could restore trust in the electoral process according to the guest?
Clear explanations from the EC, possible adjustments such as including Aadhaar or extending time, and a commitment to protecting voters' rights while maintaining the integrity of the rolls.
If a Large Number Are Excluded From Voting in Bihar, Entire Electoral Process will be Suspect | Ashwani Kumar
Q: Why is there distrust in the EC's handling of electoral rolls and identity proofs?
Because many voters face practical barriers and the perception that the process is burdensome and potentially partisan, which undermines confidence in the electoral system.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Wire Talks

What is The Wire Talks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep-dive conversations with domain experts across politics, policy, culture, and technology, prioritizing nuanced analysis over sound bites. Recent episodes scrutinize elections, regulatory shifts affecting speech online, diaspora dynamics, legal-transformations around bail and anti-terror laws, and societal issues like mental health, digital literacy for seniors, and the cultural politics surrounding Hindutva and nationalism. Noteworthy is the penchant for long-form, context-rich discussions that connect ground-level observations with broader structural dynamics, often weaving in historical perspectives, legal frameworks, and cross-border implications. The format suits listeners who want thoughtful, evidence-backed ins... more

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1. The Interview With Karan Thapar
2. The Rest Is Politics
3. The Rest Is Politics: US

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The Wire Talks launched a year ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Wire Talks?

Recent guests on The Wire Talks include:

1. Amita Baviskar
2. Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
3. Nikhil Pahwa
4. Sravya Tadepalli
5. Sarim Naved
6. Salil Tripathi
7. Pronoti Datta
8. Saeed Akhtar Mirza

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