Best Amit Julka Podcasts (2024)

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EP 11: 'Bogeymen or Props' - UP Elections, Muslims, and Islamophobia 47:25

2+ y ago47:25

47:25

Comprising over 200 million people, Uttar Pradesh (or UP) holds a decisive influence over Indian politics. In the 2017 state elections, the Hindu-nationalist came to power with a thumping majority, largely due to a campaign based on promises of development and 'keeping the Muslims in check'. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Abdullah Khan, a politica…

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EP 10: Cricket and Discrimination (Captain Russell ko Africa Kyun Bheja?) 57:15

2+ y ago57:15

57:15

In this episode, we peel apart the layers of the gentleman's game and talk about the role played by caste, race, and religion in cricket. We start with Azeem Rafiq's testimony in England, and then move on to the subcontinent, where we answer the most important question of all - In the film Lagaan, Why was Captain Russell sent to Africa?…

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Episode 9: Killing & Buying the Messenger (India Edition): An Interview With Dr. Swati Maheshwari 55:46

3y ago55:46

55:46

How does the media suffocate freedom of press, and what role does the government play? In this episode, we discuss these matters with Dr. Swati Maheshwari, a Media Studies researcher based in Singapore. She completed her PhD from the Hong Kong Baptist University investigating the relationship between journalism and the ruling elite in the Indian co…

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Episode 8: Listening to Afghanistan - An Interview With Sahar Saba 40:15

3y ago40:15

40:15

In this episode, we talk to the Afghan activist Sahar Saba about the situation in Afghanistan, its impact on the population (especially women and minorities) and finally, how *not* to talk about Afghanistan. Hence, we eschew all talk of lashkhars this and networks that dominate mainstream coverage of the country. Completely subverting the point of …

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Episode 7: Qissa-e Aam (Part 2) - Mirza Se Mao Tak! 32:21

3y ago32:21

32:21

In this episode, we discuss mangoes in the modern era, beginning from Ghalib's donkeys, Mao's gift of mangoes, and how democracy was restored in Pakistan, thanks to a case full of mangoes. Executive Producer: Natallia Khaniejo

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Episode 6: Qissa-e Aam - or How I learned to stop worrying and enjoy the mango - Part 1 28:38

3y ago28:38

28:38

In this two-episode series, we discuss all things mango, and how it has affected both our past and the present. In the first part we look at the history of the mango in the subcontinent, and how it is the Forrest Gump of fruits - present wherever the action is. Executive Producer: Natallia Khaniejo

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Episode 5: Silencing, Harassing, and Doxxing the Messenger - Part 1: An Interview with Tahir Imran Mian 35:15

3y ago35:15

35:15

In the first episode of this series, we interview the renowned Pakistani journalist Tahir Imran Mian on various problems faced by journalists in Pakistan, ranging from press freedom to cyber bullying and the mental toll it takes on them (and their families). Tahir Imran Mian is an award winning investigative journalist & was previously the Social M…

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Episode 4: Vikas ki Bakwaas: What South Asia Gets Wrong About the Environment - Part 2 40:21

3y ago40:21

40:21

In this episode, we interview Siddharth Singh, author of 'The Great Smog of India' (link below), a book on India's ongoing air pollution and environmental crisis. Apart from shedding light on the flaws of our so-called 'vikas', i.e. the developmental model, Sid tells us the real reason why you should care about the environment and air pollution - y…

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Episode 3: Taraqqi kee tareeki: What South Asia Gets Wrong About The Environment - Part 1 39:54

3y ago39:54

39:54

As the world celebrates World Environment Day, we take a closer look at how Pakistan subverts the environmentalist paradigm with climate change expert Fatima Yamin. We learn why environmental conservation is so poorly misunderstood and badly managed in favor of our aspirations towards development (taraqqi) for betterment (Khushhaali), when in reali…

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Episode 2: Despising Shylock, Envying Sharon 53:06

3y ago53:06

53:06

During the current Israel-Palestine crisis, support for the Palestinians in Pakistan ranged from legitimate criticism of the Israeli state to crude anti-semitic tropes. On the other side of the border, while many called for reconciliation and peace, a majoritarian political ideology envies Israel, casting it as an ideal for how India should act, es…

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Episode 1: Viruses: Biological and Political 1:01:21

3y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

In the first episode of the Mitti Pao podcast, we take a look at the politics around the second wave of coronavirus in India and the rise of the Tehreek-e Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) movement. While these may seem worlds apart, they ultimately share the same core - states unable and unwilling to ride the majoritarian and anti-rational tigers they fed. S…