This special podcast discusses two pressing issues involving India’s neighbours, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Since Sheikh Hasina's ouster, over 2,000 attacks on Hindus have been reported in Bangladesh. Is this part of a 'religious cleansing' against Hindus? Is Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s regime aligning with Islamist forces? Could India face a surge of migrants in the coming months?

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s political chaos shows no signs of slowing down. PTI supporters, led by Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, marched towards Islamabad, resulting in dozens of deaths and many injuries. What lies ahead for Imran Khan? Will he ever be released from jail?

To answer all these questions, the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by two experts Tilak Devasher, an author of three acclaimed books on Pakistan and a National Security Advisory Board member. Sushant Sareen, a senior fellow at ORF and a leading analyst on Pakistani affairs.

The podcast also explores how the political and social turmoil in Bangladesh and Pakistan could impact India.

00:00 - Coming Up

00:00 - Introduction

04:25 - Recognition of Bangladesh & Pakistan

06:43 - Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

13:36 - Muhammad Yunus and Jamaat

15:38 - Bangladesh Becoming a 'Taliban State'?

20:06 - Will Bangladesh Army Stop Violence Against Hindus?

23:31 - Role of the Deep State in Pakistan & Bangladesh

29:11 - Social Media and Political Mobilization

30:16 - Why Pakistanis Are Using VPNs

34:46 - Pro-Imran Khan Protests

42:10 - Who Is Bushra Bibi?

48:50 - How Crowd Control Works

56:18 - Why Did Imran Khan Marry Bushra Bibi?

1:02:31 - Pakistan Army vs. Imran Khan

1:09:20 - Pakistan Army Losing Its Hold on the Country?

1:13:30 - Saudi Arabia’s Connection to Imran Khan

1:16:18 - What Happens If Imran Khan Comes Out of Jail?

1:19:23 - Why Is Imran Khan Still Popular in Pakistan?

1:25:12 - What’s Next for Imran Khan?

1:28:27 - "Pakistan Is Running Dry"

1:31:30 - The Situation of Hindus in Bangladesh

1:36:30 - India’s Response to Bangladesh

1:41:30 - Pakistan’s Existential Crisis

Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud served as the 50th Chief Justice of India from November 9, 2022, to November 10, 2024. During his tenure, he was a part of several landmark judgments, including the Ayodhya verdict, the decriminalization of Section 377, entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, the fundamental right to privacy, and the constitutionality of the Electoral Bonds Scheme, among others.

He is widely respected for making the judiciary more tech-savvy and accessible. Under his leadership, the court embraced technological advancements such as live broadcasting of hearings, digitalization of Supreme Court and High Court records, and AI for transcribing judicial proceedings.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the former Chief Justice shares his views on several key issues. He discusses the collegium system, the Ayodhya Ram Temple verdict, and the impact of online trolling on judges' mental well-being. He highlights the heavy scrutiny judges face in the age of social media, where every word and decision is closely examined.

Justice Chandrachud also addresses the opposition's claim that the judiciary is under pressure. He emphasizes that one does not need to be an atheist to deliver unbiased and fair judgments and speaks about practising faith while upholding the law.

The conversation also touches on his retirement, his choice to follow a vegan lifestyle, his family, and his thoughts on whether he might enter politics in the future.

00:00 - Coming Up

00:00 - Introduction

01:38 - Retirement Plans

04:16 - On Teaching Law

06:24 - Delhi Air Pollution

12:20 - Delhi Govt vs L-G Tussle

16:42 - On his legacy

18:35 - Why He Chose to Become a Judge

23:04 - Trolling of Judges

25:54 - SC Handbook on Gender Stereotypes

29:21 - Media Scrutiny

31:54 - Who Authored the Ayodhya Verdict

36:33 - Liberal vs Conservative Judge Labels

38:17 - When the Ex-CJI Prayed for a Solution

44:17 - Sambhal Mosque Row

45:51 - Ganpati Puja with PM Modi

48:37 - Is the Indian Judiciary Under Pressure?

56:20 - Article 370 Judgment

57:24 - Overturning His Father’s Judgment

58:37 - Why He Got into the Legal Profession

01:02:24 - Nepotism in the Indian Judicial System

01:06:04 - The Collegium System

01:09:21 - Pendency of Court Cases in India

01:18:10 - Advocates’ Affordability

01:27:24 - Decriminalization of Homosexuality

01:32:24 - Roe v. Wade Judgment

01:34:16 - Disability-Friendly Courts

01:39:00 - Choosing a Vegan Lifestyle

01:44:40 - Judges Entering Politics

01:49:58 - Supreme Court Prison Report

01:53:34 - Privacy Issues for Judges in the Digital Era

01:56:13 - Live Telecast of Hearings

02:04:30 - Caste Element in Judgments

02:08:04 - International Disputes

02:12:19 - How DY Chandrachud Relaxes

02:17:57 - Hindi vs English- language used in courts

02:23:09 - Interaction with PM, CM, and President

A post on Twitter claiming that foreigners are 'avoiding' Goa due to 'bad services and treatment' has put the state government under scrutiny. Many blame Goa’s 'Taxi Mafia,' which charges high fares due to the lack of private app-based cab services. Some criticize the dirty beaches and the attitude of overcharging both domestic and foreign tourists. Many also argue that Goa is overpriced, and tourists can visit Thailand, Vietnam, or Sri Lanka on the same budget, where they offer a better and more pleasant stay.

Is this the reality, or is there more to the story? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte addresses all queries about tourism, including whether foreigners are abandoning Goa. He also discusses issues like drug trafficking, rave parties, and the casino culture in Goa.

00:00 - Introduction

01:41 - Goa Tourism in Trouble?

08:04 - Agenda Against Goa Tourism?

12:30 - 'Taxi Mafia' in Goa

19:22 - Commuters' Concerns in Goa

22:40 - Goa's Filthy Beaches

26:11 - Stray Dogs and Cattle on Beaches

28:24 - Fewer ATMs in Goa

30:45 - Power Cuts in Goa

32:44 - Goa's Road Infrastructure

35:20 - Is Goa an Expensive Tourist Destination?

37:25 - Chikhal Kalo Festival

42:20 - IFFI 2024

47:05 - Drug Trafficking in Goa

50:17 - Goan Culture

54:58 - Diversifying Goa's Economy

59:40 - Casinos in Goa

1:03:02 - Mopa vs. Dabolim Airport