Should elections be state funded?

11/16/23 • 29 min

A Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, recently reserved its judgment on petitions challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme. The proceedings focused on arguments pertaining to the voters’ right to information vis-a-vis the right to confidentiality of donors. Transparency in election funding has become the central issue here.

Should elections be state funded instead? Here we discuss the question.

Should elections be state funded instead? Here we discuss the question.

Previous Episode

Is the United Nations toothless to stop wars?

Starting with the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli targets, , the Israeli Defense Forces have carried out a relentless campaign bombing civilian locations across Gaza. The Israeli argument has been that it is focused on eradicating Hamas but the casualties are mostly women, children and infants which has drawn worldwide condemnation for Israel. Last Friday, the UN saw the adoption of a non binding Jordanian resolution in New York by large majority of member states. 120 members votes in favor, 14 voted against and 45 countries abstained. India was among those who abstained.

The General Assembly adopted a major resolution and call for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce, leading to a cessation of hostilities. It was proposed by Jordan and backed over 45 countries India of course abstain and was criticized for that domestically. But the conflict has continued as there is no call for bringing in a ceasefire.

Is this failure going to end the UN and end the present global order?

Next Episode

Should online movie reviews be curtailed?

Kerala, a State known for its vibrant public sphere, is now in the news for what film producers have termed as the phenomenon of “review bombing”. Makers of a couple of films have approached the Kerala High Court, seeking a gag on social media and YouTube reviews for at least seven days following a film‘s release; the claim being that these reviews can make or break films, and by extension the sustainability of the Malayalam film industry. The Kerala police have also booked some online reviewers and social media platforms, following complaints from producers. The State is now witnessing a heated debate with a groundswell of support for the reviewers, raising pertinent questions on freedom of expression.

Here we discuss the issue.

Guests: B.Unnikrishnan, a filmmaker and general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA); C.S. Venkiteswaran is a national award winning film critic

Host: S. R. Praveen