After Naxalism: What Do Tribals Fear Now? Part 2
As Amit Shah sets a March 2026 deadline to eliminate Naxalism, Newsreel Asia producer Gunjan Handa sits down with journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary, who has spent decades working in naxal-affected region. The conversation explores the road ahead — from integrating tribal communities into mainstream society to improving their economic conditions.
Has Naxalism in India Ended or Changed Form?Part 1
Is Maoism really ending in India? As Amit Shah sets a March 2026 deadline to eliminate Naxalism, journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary questions the narrative. While armed insurgency may be weakening, the deeper politics of land, dignity, and justice remain unresolved. From the Naxalbari uprising to Dandakaranya, Maoists once built trust among tribal communities. The conversation examines Salwa Judum, surrenders, internal fractures, and shifting aspirations.
Why State Has Monopoly Over Legitimate Violence
Why do we go to the police instead of taking revenge ourselves? Why does the court decide disputes instead of families settling them through force? The answer lies in the political science concept of “monopoly over legitimate violence.”
Tradition of Marrying More Than One Woman | Inside Arunachal’s Polygamy Problem
In Arunachal Pradesh, a predominantly tribal state known for its rich cultural heritage, certain traditional practices continue to shape everyday life. However, as conversations around rights, equality, and justice grow, many of these customs are being questioned. One such practice is polygyny—the system where a man can have more than one wife.
A Mother’s Journey of Raising an Autistic Child
Antara Dey Chowdhury was a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force when her life changed course. In 2012, after her son Kabir was diagnosed with autism, she made the difficult decision to leave her military career to care for him full-time.
Why Governments Limit Freedom in the Name of Security
Do governments really need to limit our freedom to keep us safe? In this episode, we break down the concept of security politics and how states define threats, justify extraordinary measures, and expand their powers in the name of protection.
Why We Don’t Act Together | The Collective Action Problem
Why do we all want better public services—clean air, safer roads, good schools, and accountable governance—yet fail to act together to achieve them?
Suffering in Silence: A Visual Retrospective of NRC in Assam
More than seven years after the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise concluded in Assam, the issue continues to appear in political debate across the country. The Election Commission (EC)’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has drawn comparisons with the NRC, although the Commission rejects those claims. This mini-documentary, filmed in Assam in 2018, captures the effects of the NRC on people living through the process at that time.
Why Is Punjab Becoming a Gangster Haven? Crime Journalist Answers
Punjab has long been known for its rich culture, music, and resilience. But in recent years, another narrative has been growing: the rise of gang culture. Newsreel Asia’s journalist Gunjan Handa interviewed Jupinderjit Singh on his new book, Gangs of Punjab: Guns, Greed and Girlfriends. In this interview, senior journalist and author Jupinderjit Singh joins us to unpack how and why this transformation has happened. He has also written the book 'Who Killed Moosewala?,' which investigates the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Drawing from decades of reporting on crime and policing in Punjab, Jupinderjit Singh explains how gangs evolved in the state, how social media and diaspora networks have changed the dynamics, and why young men are increasingly getting pulled into this world. He also talks about the role of drugs, politics, policing challenges, and the influence of gangsters on Punjabi pop culture.
What Is a Constitution and Why It Matters
What is a Constitution, and why must every citizen understand it? In this episode of We the People by Newsreel Asia, we explain the meaning of a Constitution, how constitutionalism evolved from ancient law codes to modern democracy, and why the Indian Constitution remains central to protecting our rights, liberty and equality.
When Politicians Become Rulers in Democracy
In a democracy, power is meant to belong to citizens. Elected leaders and public officials hold authority only as a trust — to serve the public and remain accountable to it. But over time, that relationship can begin to feel reversed. In this episode of “We the People,” Surabhi Singh examines how a system built on representation can gradually start to feel like control.
Why Millions Stay Poor Despite Working Hard
If hard work alone could end poverty, the poorest people in the world would be the richest. Yet millions remain trapped in poverty for generations. Why? In this episode of Newsreel Asia’s explainer series “We the People,” Harshita Rathore examines why poverty cannot be reduced to individual effort or personal choices.
A Mother Who Lost Her Life: One Year of New Delhi Railway Station Stampede
On February 15, 2025, a deadly stampede took place at the New Delhi Railway Station. It was triggered by a sudden surge of passengers, fueled by delays to three trains, including a special train bound for the Maha Kumbh mela - projected as the world's biggest religious congregation - that was being held in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. One year on, students of Jamia Milia Islamia University revisit the family of Pinki Devi, who was one of the 18 victims who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Bangladesh Elections 2026 | Issues, Fears and Islamic Radicalisation
On 12 February 2026, the country will vote in its first national parliamentary election since the July 2024 student protests, which began over government job quotas and quickly escalated into a nationwide movement demanding political change. The unrest ultimately led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power and the formation of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This election is being closely watched not just within Bangladesh, but across South Asia and beyond.
What GDP, Rankings & Statistics Don’t Tell You About Real Life
Governments often point to rising GDP, higher per capita income, and global rankings to claim that the economy is doing well. But do these numbers actually reflect how ordinary people live? If GDP grows by five percent, does life really improve by five percent for everyone? In this episode of We the People, we look beyond headline statistics to understand what economic “growth” truly means for people on the ground. Using simple examples—from wages and employment to gig work, nutrition, and cost of living—this video explains why commonly used economic yardsticks can be misleading.
Rights Are Recognised, Not Granted
In this episode of We the People, Surabhi Singh breaks down a powerful but often misunderstood idea: rights are recognised, not granted. Using everyday examples and insights from political philosophy and constitutional law, this video explains why freedoms like speech, conscience, equality, and dignity don’t come from the state — they belong to us simply because we are human.
A Country Can't Grow Without Dignity of Labour
Surabhi Singh explains why the dignity of labour is not just a moral idea, but an economic necessity. From caste and class hierarchies in India to global examples like Germany’s vocational education system, this video explores how respect, fair wages, and legal protection shape productivity, skill-building, and economic growth. Drawing on ideas from thinkers like Émile Durkheim, George Akerlof, Gary Becker, and Dr B. R. Ambedkar, this explainer shows how undervaluing manual and skilled labour weakens economies.
How Governments Use Law to Take Away Your Rights
In democracies, we expect rights to disappear loudly — through bans, crackdowns, or open repression. But in reality, freedom is often taken away quietly, through laws, procedures, and paperwork.
Know the Real Meaning of Development Beyond Roads and Buildings
When we think of development or vikas, we often picture highways, airports, metros, and tall buildings. But do these visible symbols really tell us how well a country is doing? In this explainer, Newsreel Asia looks beyond concrete and steel to ask a deeper question: does development only mean infrastructure, or does it also mean freedom, trust, and dignity? Drawing on ideas from thinkers like Amartya Sen, Robert Putnam, and Douglass North, this video explores why real progress is about expanding people’s choices and improving the quality of public life.
You Can Care About Politics Without Supporting a Party
Political engagement is not the same as political loyalty. Yet in today’s hyper-polarised world, many of us confuse supporting democracy with supporting a political party. In this episode of Newsreel Asia’s Explainer Series, Harshita Rathore breaks down what political engagement really means—and why being politically aware does not require blind loyalty to any party or ideology.