Shows
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 8: High High JudiciaryHate speech or freedom of speech, the Indian judiciary has failed on both fronts. On one hand activists, lawyers, authors, poets, comedians (you can add your favorite 'wtf' moment here from the wide range of people targeted by the government) have been hounded and silenced by the government, while on the other hand the likes of Anurag Thakur and Kapil Mishra have openly incited violence through hate speeches. In both situations all that the Judiciary has done is remained submissive to the government diktat.Our high judiciary should therefore be called "High High Judiciary". And who else...2021-08-1541 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 7: Weed's Good ManMemes are perhaps the most influential and intuitive form of expression. Once a meme is out in the wilderness of internet, no one can predict when, and how a meme will "go viral". Like all means, memes have also carried hateful ideas and while we are talking about hate speech this month, there could not be a better movie to review than "Feels Good Man". This is the story of a cartoon character created by Matt Furie, "Pepe the Frog" a chill college kid who hangs out with his friends and does weird stuff that college students...2021-08-0821 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 6: Where is the Love?From our beloved "Shehenshah" Prime Minister Modi Ji to his chaddi-buddy, the Chanakya of Modiocracy, Home Minister Amit Shaah, to the budding Hindutva hero and Delhi pogrom fame Kapil Mishra- hate speech (subtle, and not so subtle) has been one of the most effective tools used by the politicians to polarize the electorate for poll gains. It is impossible to imagine the contemporary right wing politics in India (and for that matter right wing politics in any other country) without the frequent 'garnishing' of popular narrative with hate speeches. Historically too, hate speech has remained a highly debated topic...2021-08-0824 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 4: Weedly LiveAs content creators, it is not easy to talk about a crisis as heartbreaking and sad as farmers suicide while keeping everyone engaged in a world where entertainment is instantly available. While working on this episode, this reality hit us hard, and for the "Culture Kush" segment, nothing better came to our mind than the 2010 dark satirical comedy, "Peepli Live", where a poor farmer decides to commit suicide because the Indian government gives hefty payouts to the families after their death. This leads to a hilarious and ridiculous media frenzy that unfortunately is not too far from re...2021-07-0817 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 5: American Grass is Greener"What do you know about India? You are sitting in Amreeka, enjoying". If this sounds like a familiar response when you criticize the Indian government on how the farmers protest has been mishandled, you are not alone. And the grass is not really greener either. Farmers in the US are struggling with the fallout of the privatization of farming in a way similar to what has already happened in some states in India (namely Bihar). The new farm laws that the Modi government is trying to shove down the throats of the farmers are so indistinguishable from those already t...2021-07-0832 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 3: Protest MelaSince the passing of the new farm laws by the Indian government, thousands of farmers are sitting in protest around Delhi, the capital of India, trying to tell the government that they are not happy with the laws. The impact of this protest is felt across the world and has resonated with the farmers all over the world. But the Narendra Modi government is busy diverting attention from this huge protest. The "mainstream media" is busy debating why the farmers are eating pizza and why they are not legitimate farmers because they do not look poor. The irony of...2021-07-0421 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 2: Go Corona GoAs the COVID crisis rages in India, the Modi government does what it does best-create distractions. So, in this episode we reminisce all that has happened since the pandemic came to India. The theatrics of our beloved Prime Minister to the overly enthusiastic response of his followers creating an outrageous display of absurdity for the whole world to witness. But, it is only so long that one can distract an entire nation, and the cost of ineptitude combined with arrogance is now for everyone to see in the number of dead bodies floating on the banks of Ganges (ironic...2021-06-0659 min
Hindu Muslim High HighEpisode 1: Convict KushIn this episode we talk about political prisoners in India. Dissent in India is seen as an "act of treason" by both the government and propaganda fed public. This has created a crisis in the form of indiscriminate arrest of dissenters all over the country. We talk about the movie "The trial of Chicago 7" directed by Aaron Sorkin and an article about political prisoners by Bhanwar Meghwanshi. Our guest, movie maker and activist Saumya Tejas talks about the visual book she is working on the 2020 Delhi pogrom. Please follow the links below to refer to...2021-05-0527 min
Hindu Muslim High HighHindu Muslim High High TeaserIn this teaser for the upcoming podcast Hindu Muslim High High, Meraj and Prerna talk (and banter) about (pop) culture and politics of and about the Indian diaspora. Over the last several years, there has been a tectonic shift as India moves from a more "progressive" outlook to definitely a more divisive regressive democracy . We struggle everyday with this constant push and pull of ideologies that exist within us as a nation, and the fact is, the picture is not as grim as it seems. There is a constant effort by groups/individuals on the ground and in...2021-04-2815 min