Debate without knowledge has all the dignity of a street brawl. Whether we’re discussing what’s on our plates (see how a simple conversation on Biryani can take on communal undertones) or in our parliament – it seems that we cannot escape stereotyping instead of sympathizing, criticizing instead of comprehending, citing prejudice instead of proof. Without truly defining what these terms even mean, we sling verbal projectiles: Left vs Right, Bhakt vs Urban Naxal, Capitalist vs Communist, Privileged vs Woke. WhatsApp groups become war zones, Facebook pages left ripped by ill-argued, angry rage. Conversations that could have illuminated instead turn incendiary.

Politics dictates how real lives are led. Presenting different perspectives helps us understand others and moves agendas forward. Healthy debate and respectful disagreement are cornerstones of a mature democracy – a dynamic, evolving process rather than an immutable edifice.

The Grand Tamasha Podcast, a production of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, aims to bring perspectives to the table. This unique series decodes modern Indian politics, even the unwieldy issues that blight it. It presents a wide range of perspectives from diverse fields, including respected journalists, academics, policy makers and opinion leaders who put forth their ideas for a wide and loyal listener base of young, curious Indian minds who are as dynamic as this young country.

The affable and sharply analytical host of the series, Milan Vaishnav, a PhD in political science, is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of the award-winning book, When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics, and a frequent contributor to several Indian publications.

This is a partnered post.