Two weeks ago, a five-judge bench of India’s Supreme Court ruled that electoral bonds—a controversial instrument of political giving introduced by the Narendra Modi government—violated the Constitution and would immediately cease operating.
Under the court’s ruling, the State Bank of India will immediately stop issuing bonds; the Election Commission of India must disclose details of all transactions since April 2019; and any bonds that have not yet been encashed are to be refunded.
On this week’s podcast, Grand Tamasha host Milan Vaishnav—who has written extensively about campaign finance in India—takes a turn in the hot seat. In a special collaboration with DAKSH, a Bangalore-based non-profit working on judicial reforms and access to justice, Leah Verghese (host of the DAKSH Podcast) interviews Milan about the Court’s ruling and what it means for the future of political funding in India.
The two discuss the history of campaign finance in India, the controversy around electoral bonds, and the controversy around foreign funding of elections. Plus, Milan and Leah discuss why ordinary Indians should care about the dynamics of election funding.
Ashley Tellis joins Milan on Grand Tamasha for a conversation on his Foreign Affairs piece, “America’s Bad Bet on India” and to preview the Modi state visit this week. Read more
Ashley Tellis joins Milan on Grand Tamasha for a conversation on his Foreign Affairs piece, “America’s Bad Bet on India” and to preview the Modi state visit this week. Read more
Adam Auerbach and Tariq Thachil join Milan for a conversation on their book, "Migrants and Machine Politics: How India's Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness." Read more
Adam Auerbach and Tariq Thachil join Milan for a conversation on their book, "Migrants and Machine Politics: How India's Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness." Read more
Amit Ahuja and Devesh Kapur join Milan to discuss their new book, “Internal Security in India: Violence, Order, and the State” and the lessons it holds for law and order in India. Read more
Amit Ahuja and Devesh Kapur join Milan to discuss their new book, “Internal Security in India: Violence, Order, and the State” and the lessons it holds for law and order in India. Read more
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