When a godman takes over your life: In Conversation with Priyamvada Mehra

Indians by and large are a highly religious people. But there are many other cultures that are as religious, if not more. What makes India unique in this regard is perhaps the abundance of self-styled godmen, and the mass followings they rapidly acquire.  Many of these godmen, or ‘gurus’, exploit the psychological and emotional vulnerabilities of their followers to amass massive wealth and political power. They operate like cult-leaders, and control every aspect of their followers’ lives. And a cult is a very different animal from a faith-based congregation – it initiates a total erasure of personality, and the follower becomes almost like a human version of AI, pre-programmed to obey the cult leader’s bidding, no matter how harmful it might be.  In her riveting memoir, ‘The Cost of a Promised Afterlife’ Priyamvada Mehra narrates the painful saga of growing up in a family torn apart by their blind devotion to a godman, and how she managed to liberate herself from the cult and brainwashing, and chart her own course in life.  In this episode of InFocus-Weekend, we discuss her book, her journey of self-healing from the trauma of being in an abusive cult, and why so many Indians continue to fall for unscrupulous godmen. Host: G. sampath Edited and produced by Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, thousands of farmers across the country burnt symbolic copies of the India-US trade deal. They were protesting against the interim framework for a trade deal that India had signed with the US. While the Union government has emphasised that they have kept sensitive agriculture products out of the deal, farmers’ outfits and Opposition parties have said that the government has surrendered the interests of Indian farmers.  It is being said that cheap, highly subsidised American produce will flood Indian markets, depressing domestic prices and hitting rural incomes. But the government claims that the deal will have safeguards built in, and so Indian farmers have nothing to worry.  But farmers’ organisations are planning to intensify their protests in the coming weeks. Why are they not convinced by the government’s assurances? What are their concerns? And what are their demands?  Guest: Dr Ashok Dhawale, a member of the National Coordination Committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SM) and National President of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major war has erupted in West Asia, with Israel, the U.S., and Iran locked in direct conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel just before the country, along with the U.S., attacked Iran. India did not condemn the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, the war has resulted in rising energy prices, economic risks, and put at risk  the safety of hundreds of thousands of Indian families in the region. Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy? Here, we discuss the question. Tune in! Guests: Amb. Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian Diplomat. He served as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE & Kabir Taneja, Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation Middle East. Host: Smriti Sudesh Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the immediate shock has faded — but the consequences are still unfolding.The Court made clear that the Trump administration can not use emergency economic powers to redesign the country's trade policy, reaffirming that tariff authority rests with Congress. Within hours, the administration turned to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a temporary 10% tariff, which was later revised to 15%. Whether that move withstands legal scrutiny remains uncertain.There are several questions that remain unanswered — will businesses get refunds for the $160 billion collected under the now-invalid tariffs? Did countries that rushed into negotiations concede too quickly? And what does this mean for India, which made trade concessions only to see the tariffs collapse in court Guest: Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramnaian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India clinched a historic third T20 World Cup title with a commanding win over New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Standout performances underlined India’s dominance, especially Sanju Samson’s remarkable run through the knockout stages.But the final has also sparked debate. Was the batting-friendly pitch worthy of a World Cup summit clash? Should curators shape conditions to produce high-scoring spectacles, or does that undermine the balance between bat and ball? And how does Ahmedabad compare with iconic Indian venues like Wankhede or Eden Gardens when it comes to hosting cricket’s biggest matches?In this episode of In Focus, veteran cricket journalist Pradeep Magazine talks about India’s dominant campaign, the controversy around pitch preparation and the legacy of this champion side in the evolving landscape of world cricket. Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Guest: Pradeep Magazine, veteran cricket journalist and author Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days after a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant threatened that “heads must roll” for the “reckless, irresponsible, motivated, contemptuous conduct and manner” in which the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education, portrayed the judiciary as a venal institution in a Class 8 Social Science textbook, our guest, former Supreme Court judge, Justice Abhay S. Oka, takes a studied view of the controversy. The podcast discusses if the government, through the NCERT, used the textbook as an anti-judiciary propaganda tool to influence young minds in their formative years. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the textbook’s contents. It imposed a “complete ban” and ordered the withdrawal of the textbook in an order on February 26. It said the textbook’s contents revealed “calculated” attempt to instill a sense of bias against the judiciary in the “impressionable minds” of young school children, and through them, to the society at large and even the future generations. The court has no intention to let go and has scheduled the suo motu case for further hearing on March 11, 2026. The episode also debates if the ban on the book amounted to judicial censorship. Under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, free speech can be restricted only through a law.  Finally, the discussion delves into the court’s decision to initiate contempt action and going on a limb to make school principals “personally responsible” to “seize and seal” the copies of the textbook. Guest: Justice Abhay S. Oka, former Supreme Court judge Host: Krishnadas Rajagopal Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nepal’s latest general election appears to mark one of the most significant political shifts in the country’s recent history. For decades, Nepal’s politics has been dominated by a handful of established parties and veteran leaders, with governments frequently changing and coalition politics shaping the country’s governance. But the results of this election suggest that many voters particularly younger voters were ready for something different. The Rastriya Swatantra Party, a relatively new political force, is heading towards a sweeping victory, signalling a potential disruption of the traditional political order.
 At the centre of this political moment is Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen a rapper-turned-politician and former mayor of Kathmandu who has emerged as one of the most prominent faces of a new generation in Nepali politics. His rise reflects a broader mood of dissatisfaction with entrenched political elites and a growing demand for generational change in leadership. The strong performance of his party suggests that many voters are willing to place their trust in newer political actors who promise governance reforms and a break from the country’s long-standing cycle of unstable governments.
 This election also comes in the aftermath of the youth-led protests that forced the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli last year, highlighting deep public frustration over corruption, governance failures and political stagnation. With Nepal having witnessed 14 governments in the past 18 years, the results are widely being interpreted as a moment of political reckoning for traditional parties such as the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).
 At the same time, developments in Nepal are being closely watched in the region, particularly in India, which shares deep political, economic and cultural ties with its Himalayan neighbour. Nepal’s political trajectory has often had broader regional implications, not least because of its position between India and China, and the delicate balance it has historically maintained between the two.
 In this episode, we explore what Nepal’s election results signal about the country’s evolving political landscape. Sanjeev Satgainya offers insights into the forces behind this electoral surge, the decline of traditional political parties and the challenges that Nepal’s next government will face.
 Guest: Sanjeev Satgainya Host: Shikha Kumari A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. Every day, over 20 million barrels of oil which is roughly one-fifth of global supply pass through this narrow shipping corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets. Now, rising tensions after U.S.- Israel attacks on Iran have raised fears of disruptions in this vital route. Iran has warned that the strait is off limits, while the United States has indicated it may deploy naval escorts for commercial oil tankers. Any escalation here could have serious consequences for global energy markets, oil prices, and major importers like India and China, both of which depend heavily on Gulf crude shipments passing through the strait. Guest: Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev. He retired from the Indian Foreign Service in 2013 after a 35-year diplomatic career during which he was Ambassador to three oil importing countries, Algeria, Norway and Nigeria. He continues to be interested in energy and west Asian geopolitics. He is currently president of eco-diplomacy and strategies, a Delhi based consultancy. Host: Devyanshi Bihani Data Support: Nitika Francis and Sambavi Parthasarathy Producer and editor: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition seeking criminal prosecution of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over divisive and communal speeches, as well as a now-deleted social media post that depicted him firing a gun towards an animated image of two Muslim men. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked that whenever elections approach, the court tends to become a political battleground, and consequently directed the petitioners to approach the Guwahati High Court instead. Earlier in January, another Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath indicated that hate speech matters long pending before the court since 2021 would be closed. These were cases in which the court had earlier directed police authorities to register suo motu FIRs in instances of hate speech. The bench, however, clarified that the parties remained free to pursue other legal remedies, including approaching the High Courts or seeking appropriate police action. We discuss whether there has been a discernible shift in the Supreme Court’s approach towards curbing instances of hate speech, and whether legislative reforms may be required to deal with such communal rhetoric more effectively. Guests: Shahrukh Alam, advocate practicing before the Supreme Court, and Haris Beeran, advocate and Rajya Sabha MP. I welcome you both to the episode. Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know by now that ultraprocessed food is bad for our health. Consumption of a lot of it, has been linked to a number of health issues including hypertension, diabetes and obesity. But did you know that researchers are now finding links between ultraprocessed food and mental health? This is especially concerning considering the huge burden of mental health issues among young people in India and the gaps in access to care. The government is beginning to take note: the Supreme Court has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, or FSSAI to consider warning labels on the front of packaged foods and the Economic Survey this year called for high GSTs on processed foods. So what is the connection between UPFs and mental health? And why, despite all of the evidence, has India still not managed to put in place stringent warning labels for consumers? Guest: Dr. Arun Gupta, paediatrician, public health expert, and convenor of the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest. He is also a former member of the PM’s Council on India’s Nutritional Challenges Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices