47 lakh names excluded from Delhi’s draft electoral roll. Is it “vote chori” — or due diligence? What does the data actually tell us about voter-roll deletions? Watch the full conversation on: youtu.be/-M65D5fkI7Q?si=RWaq…. @Shwkothari #SIR #IndianElections #Democracy

Does the idea of a Hindu Rashtra risk excluding nearly 20% of India’s population? Shweta Kothari put that question to Shantanu Gupta during the launch of Leher Sethi’s book Saffron Shadows, as we debated Hindutva, the RSS and its relationship with the BJP. His response: understanding the RSS is far more complex than its politics, even as he describes the RSS and BJP as connected by an “umbilical cord”. #RSS #BJP #Hindutva #HinduRashtra

“Show me where I misquoted it. I’ll apologise on Twitter.” AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) pushed back after Shantanu Gupta accused him of misquoting the RSS-linked Organiser during the launch of Leher Sethi’s (@LeherSethi) Saffron Shadows. Singh challenged the allegation of misquoting and reiterated his argument over the RSS’s history with the national flag, including his claim that the Tricolour was not hoisted at the RSS headquarters for decades. The exchange points to a larger debate over the RSS’s historical record, the national flag and how that history is interpreted today. #SanjaySingh #RSS #NationalFlag #LeherSethi #AAP #BJP

A sharp exchange at the launch of Leher Sethi’s (@LeherSethi) Saffron Shadows: The RSS, A Century of Influence. Shantanu Gupta (@shantanug_) questioned the choice of AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) for a talk on the RSS. Leher Sethi responded that she had approached people within the RSS ecosystem as well as BJP politicians to contribute. According to Sethi, some BJP leaders refused, telling her their party “does not encourage dissent” and that contributing to the book could be used against them internally. Watch the full discussion here; youtu.be/ltQQxs15q5s?si=h1Ev… #RSS #BJP @Shwkothari

Why does religious rhetoric provoke anger, while unemployment, paper leaks, failing schools and struggling hospitals often don’t? At the launch of Leher Sethi’s (@LeherSethi) The RSS: Saffron Shadows, AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) questions what fuels public anger and argues that no country can move forward on a foundation of hatred. Watch the full clip here: youtu.be/j-5EPhcg3tY?si=8Who…

“Jana Gana Mana… an item of entertainment?” At the launch of Leher Sethi’s (@LeherSethi) book, The RSS: Saffron Shadows, AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) cited a December 1949 article in Organiser, a publication associated with the RSS, while questioning the organisation’s historical position on India’s national anthem. Reading from the issue, Singh quoted a passage referring to Jana Gana Mana as an “item of entertainment” at parties of government officials. Watch Sanjay Singh make his argument here; youtu.be/j-5EPhcg3tY?si=z9nu… @AamAadmiParty @Shwkothari

AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) questions the RSS’s definition of nationalism. At the launch of Leher Sethi’s (@LeherSethi) book, The RSS, A Century of Influence: Saffron Shadows, Sanjay Singh cited a 1930 letter by RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar referring to the Bhagwa Dhwaj, as he questioned the organisation’s historical relationship with the national flag. Watch his argument here: youtu.be/j-5EPhcg3tY?si=w34j… @Shwkothari @AamAadmiParty #RSS #Tiranga #Hedgewar #IndianHistory #PoliticalDebate

Who gets to decide who is a nationalist? At the launch of “RSS, A Century Of Influence: Saffron Shadows”, AAP MP Sanjay Singh questioned if patriotism should be measured through slogans and symbols. youtu.be/j-5EPhcg3tY?si=w34j… @SanjayAzadSln @Shwkothari @AamAadmiParty @LeherSethi

Why is South India worried about falling birth rates? @Shwkothari speaks with demographer Dr S. Irudaya Rajan on fertility, ageing and political representation. Watch the whole conversation: youtube.com/@argumentativein… #SouthIndia #Population #AndhraPradesh #India

What happens when names go missing from electoral rolls? Sanjay Kumar in conversation with @Shwkothari on India’s electoral rolls, SIR, and voter registration. Watch the full conversation : youtu.be/-M65D5fkI7Q?si=GRZX… #ArgumentativeIndians #SIR #Elections #Democracy