Amod Kanth is a former IPS officer who served in the Delhi Police and is known for handling some of India’s most high-profile and sensitive cases. He was the investigating officer in the Jessica Lal murder case and played a key role in probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Kanth also headed the Crime Branch and later founded Prayas, an NGO working for children and youth.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amod Kanth speaks about the motive behind Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and what really went on behind the scenes. He also talks about the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and how the Jessica Lal case changed India, highlighting the crucial role of media activism.

He shares first-hand accounts of policing during turbulent times, the challenges of maintaining law and order, and the lessons these landmark cases hold for India’s governance and society.

00:00 – Introduction

02:59 – Jessica Lal Murder Case

11:09 – Big Names at the Party When Jessica Was Murdered

20:08 – Jessica Lal Murder Investigation

23:24 – Cover-Up in the Jessica Case

30:16 – Manu Sharma's Surrender

34:09 – Court Acquitted All Accused in the Jessica Case

35:52 – How Media Scrutiny Reopened the Jessica Case

44:15 – BMW Hit & Run Case

57:28 – Sting Operation on BMW Hit & Run Case

01:02:34 – Why the Witness Flipped in BMW Hit & Run Case

01:07:11 – Romesh Sharma Chopper Case

01:14:47 – Romesh Sharma's Connection with Mafias

01:20:01 – Bhindranwale & Operation Blue Star

01:30:00 – Indira Gandhi's Assassination

01:32:44 – How Did Delhi Police Handle the 1984 Riots?

01:42:28 – Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination

01:48:58 – Why Rajiv Gandhi Neglected Security

01:51:20 – Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Probe

01:56:58 – Delhi After Rajiv Gandhi's Death

01:59:08 – Amod Kanth's 'Prayas JAC Society'

02:03:44 – Joining Politics

Milind Deora is a former Union Minister of State and prominent Mumbai politician who joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after spending over two decades in the Congress. Known for his candid views on governance, democracy, and Mumbai’s development, Deora has often been at the centre of key political debates.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he opens up on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, why he left the Congress, and discusses Trump’s tariffs on India. He also speaks about democracy within political parties, while slamming the protests against the SIR issue.

Deora shares his views on Mumbai’s lost decade due to internal party politics, explains why certain sections cannot digest Prime Minister Modi’s success, and talks about the road ahead for the Shiv Sena.

Timestamps

00:00 – Coming Up

02:08 – Introduction

03:29 – Why He Left Congress

06:24 – Freedom of Speech in NDA

07:36 – Reasons for Leaving Congress

14:26 – Manmohanomics vs. Modinomics

15:30 – Young Leaders Betraying Congress?

18:00 – Hindi–Marathi Language Row

22:08 – Mumbai’s Lost Decade

28:54 – Mumbai’s Infrastructure

32:38 – Garbage & Pothole Issues

38:13 – Mumbai’s Development

46:17 – Can Mumbai Regain Its Global Status?

49:06 – Marine Drive vs. Bandra–Worli Sea Link

50:38 – Mumbai’s Food Culture

52:11 – Pani Puri vs. Bhel Puri

53:05 – Udupi Hotel vs. Irani Café

53:29 – Gateway of India vs. CSMT

53:57 – Mumbai’s Local Trains

54:29 – Puran Poli vs. Shrikhand

56:55 – Mumbai’s Dabbawalas

58:04 – Bollywood

01:00:12 – All-Party Delegation on Operation Sindoor

01:05:17 – ‘Vote Chori’ Controversy

01:06:45 – Central Agencies Being Misused?

01:12:57 – Remembering the 26/11 Attack

01:22:04 – Why Didn’t India Retaliate After 26/11?

01:24:48 – Munir’s Nuke Threat Against India

01:27:30 – Should India’s Youth Enter Politics?

01:30:22 – Meeting with PM Modi

01:31:36 – Equations with the Gandhis After Leaving Congress

How does the Opposition make its strategy to counter the ruling government in Parliament? Who is responsible for running the House? Why was the Monsoon Session of Parliament completely washed out? What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit? Why has the Opposition made the ‘Vote Chori’ row its main weapon against the government? Was there really a BJP vs. BJP fight in the Constitution Club polls?

To answer these questions and give you the inside scoop, this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by ANI correspondents who closely cover Parliament and political parties, Suchitra Mukherjee, Siddharth Sharma, Nishant Ketu, Amit Kumar, along with Naveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief.

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Opposition’s Strategy in Parliament

04:59 – Parliament Session Washout: Who Is to Blame?

06:40 – Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar?

09:12 – What is Zero Hour in Parliament?

12:37 – BJP vs BJP in Constitution Club Polls?

21:09 – Jaya Bachchan’s Selfie Chaos

24:39 – Shashi Tharoor vs Congress?

25:58 – Restrictions on Media at BJP & Congress HQs?

30:59 – ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations by Opposition

36:05 – Which MP Says No to Giving Bites?

40:21 – Covering Parliament as a Reporter

42:25 – Women MPs Bonding in Parliament

48:00 – Congress Removes the ‘Alcohol Abstention’ Clause

52:09 – Priyanka’s Role in Congress

54:27 – Man/Woman of the Match of the Parliament Session

57:44 – The Man Behind Dhankhar’s Resignation

1:01:03 – Story Behind Akhilesh Jumping Barricades

1:05:15 – BJP–RSS Bonhomie

1:08:41 – Can NDA Lose Its Majority?

1:11:27 – Impact of Operation Sindoor

1:13:08 – Manish Tewari & Shashi Tharoor Sidelined?

1:15:44 – Experience of Covering Operation Sindoor

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, promoting Sikhism around the world. He has seen it all, from Partition, Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s rule, the rise of Bhindranwale, Operation Blue Star, Rajiv Gandhi, to Modi’s government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Sikhism, what the Sikh community expects from the Central Government, and his experience as Press Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh during the difficult time after Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the anti-Sikh riots. From Partition to now, he shares how life for Sikhs in India has changed over the years.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:14 – Language Politics in India

07:10 – Untold History of India-Pakistan Partition

18:47 – Govt Engagement with Sikh Diaspora

29:14 – Sikh Diaspora's Political Influence

37:22 – Khalistan Issue & SGPC Politics

41:02 – Giani Zail Singh’s Political Life

48:43 – Giani Zail Singh vs. Rajiv Gandhi

1:12:31 – Op Blue Star & Rise of Bhindranwale

1:25:21 – Psychological & Political Impact of Op Blue Star

1:32:50 – PM Modi's Bold Steps for Sikhs

1:39:14 – Modi’s Role During the Gujarat Riots

Kalli Purie is the Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group. She studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, UK. She is a core member of the team that created a modern newsroom designed for today’s multimedia and multi-device world.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast, Kalli Purie talks about the kind of political pressure news channels face from governments and how they handle it. She explains why every channel calls itself “number one,” and why billionaires are buying news channels.

She also opens up about why some top anchors left India Today, shares her opinion on influencers who do news without being journalists, and discusses how people are changing the way they consume news. She even makes a big prediction about the 2029 general elections.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:09 – Heated Newsroom Discussions

04:46 – Battle to Get TRPs

07:54 – Operation Sindoor: Flaws in Coverage?

10:54 – Fake News & Fact-Checking Team

17:10 – Reality of News Channel Ratings

21:24 – Anchor Popularity vs Ratings

27:39 – Traditional Media vs Influencers

35:23 – Managing Anchors' Demands

39:44 – Evolution of Hindi News Channels

44:21 – Race for Exclusive Content

47:01 – The ‘Godi Media’ Term

52:59 – Billionaires buying Channels

1:01:12 – TV News Criticism & Digital Shift

1:07:45 – AI in Newsrooms

1:11:46 – Childhood Passion to Media Leadership

1:22:58 – Gender Perception in Media

1:28:27 – Idea Generation and Teamwork

1:35:06 – Work-Life Balance

Tilak Devasher is an author and a former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Sushant Sareen is a Senior Fellow at ORF and an expert on Pakistan and security issues in the region.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss how India can defeat Pakistan in its global propaganda war, the shortcomings in media and narratives during Operation Sindoor, and why Trump appears to be choosing Pakistan over India. They also delve into the psyche of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and his recent comments against India.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - Asim Munir's Interview in Brussels

10:47 - India-Pak Conflict: Why Did Pakistan Make It a Religious War?

16:46 - Asim Munir: Next President of Pakistan?

18:47 - Asim Munir's Allegations Against India

21:17 - The Mission Behind Munir’s US Visit

23:18 - Is Pakistan Choosing the US Over China?

28:51 - US Independence Day Message for Pakistan

30:13 - Will Asim Munir Ever Retire?

33:40 - How Is the Pakistan Army Funded?

36:35 - Pakistani Diaspora & Social Media Narratives

45:33 - India’s Ban on Pakistani Handles

51:45 - Has India Always Misread Washington?

57:10 - End of the Road for the QUAD?

01:02:51 - Western Hypocrisy on Russian Oil

01:10:41 - America’s Double Standards on Democracy

01:14:01 - Is India Losing the Narrative War?

01:17:53 - Ex-Pak FM Calls India a Rogue State

01:24:36 - Civil Society's Role in the Narrative War

01:38:59 - Is History Taught in Schools Biased?

Priyanka Chaturvedi is a Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the party’s Deputy Leader in the Upper House. She has been active in politics for over a decade, after starting her career in media and communications. She is known for her articulate debates in Parliament and on news platforms. Representing Maharashtra, she is regarded as one of the well-known women parliamentarians in India.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she speaks about Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of 'vote theft' against the Election Commission. She also shares her views on Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation as the VP. She also dives into the Marathi–Hindi language row, and what it takes for a woman without a political background to become an MP.

She also discusses Operation Sindoor, her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and what lies ahead once her term in the Rajya Sabha ends next year.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:24 - Jaya Bachchan's 'Don't Control Me' Remark

02:29 - Why Jaya Bachchan Scolded a Man

06:24 - Experience as Rajya Sabha MP

07:34 - Rajya Sabha Suspension

08:44 - Dhankhar's Sudden Resignation

14:31 - Women Parliamentarians

17:11 - Future of Women in Politics

23:20 - How to Deal with Trolls

31:04 - Meeting with PM Modi

32:46 - What’s Next After Rajya Sabha?

36:02 - Priyanka’s Party Switch Buzz

39:27 - Hindi–Marathi Language Row

40:27 - When PM Met Op Sindoor Delegates

42:23 - Priyanka's Bilawal Bhutto Mimicry

45:23 - Part of All-Party Delegation on Op Sindoor

47:23 - Shiv Sena (UBT) Take on Op Sindoor

49:23 - Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Op Sindoor

54:07 - Op Sindoor: Shiv Sena (UBT) Mixed Opinion

57:20 - Personal Comments in Maharashtra Politics

01:02:58 - Vote Chori Row

01:03:43 - Rahul's 'Match Fixing' Remark

01:15:10 - Is INDIA Bloc Still Together?

01:17:07 - Bihar 'SIR' Controversy

01:19:27 - Faith in Democracy

01:21:01 - SC's Order on Stray Dogs

01:26:15 - Priyanka Does Mimicry

01:28:10 - Meeting with Amitabh Bachchan

01:29:33 - Meeting with Ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh

01:33:20 - Stories About Women MPs’ Sarees

01:35:20 - Is Shashi Tharoor Sidelined from Party?

01:36:20 - Delhiites vs Mumbaikars

Pankaj Saran is a well-known figure in Indian diplomacy, having served as Ambassador to Russia and Bangladesh, Deputy National Security Adviser, and in the PMO under Dr Manmohan Singh. He has also been posted at the Indian mission in Washington, D.C.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Trump’s tariffs on India. He explains how India can protect its interests and sovereignty. He shares his views on the Russia–Ukraine war and the chances of a ceasefire. Ambassador speaks about attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh. He also talks about the future of democracy in Dhaka. Furthermore, He explains the role of the NSA and Deputy NSA in the matter of National Security.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:46 – Trump–Putin Alaska Meet

07:19 – Why Russia–Ukraine Ceasefire Matters to Trump

09:02 – Future of Indo–US Friendship

11:27 – Why India Matters to Europe

13:12 – How India Should Deal with Trump

16:08 – India & America’s War Policy

21:02 – Why Target India Over Russian Oil?

26:49 – Munir’s Nuke Threat to India from the US

35:10 – US Growing Closer to Pakistan

42:13 – China’s Stance on Munir’s US Trips

46:08 – Russia–India Ties

50:36 – Where Does the Quad Stand?

57:11 – Hasina’s Exit & the Bangladesh Crisis

01:04:38 – Undoing Hasina’s Pakistan Policy

01:06:22 – Life as Ambassador vs Deputy NSA

01:07:57 – Diplomats in the US vs India

01:09:54 – Ajit Doval & Brijesh Mishra as NSAs

01:12:24 – Do NSAs Disagree with the PM?

01:14:07 – 26/11’s Impact on Manmohan Singh

01:18:12 – Why 26/11 Didn’t Change India’s Security Stance

01:23:13 – PM–NSA Chemistry and Its Impact