In this episode, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack explore the complex relationships between religion, politics, and harmful practices in India. Joined by experts Arjun Philip George and Giresh Kumar J, they discuss:
1. The persistence of caste-based discrimination across religious lines in India
2. The role of religious texts and traditions in perpetuating gender inequality
3. Challenges in reforming deeply ingrained cultural and religious practices
4. The impact of political leaders and parties on reinforcing or challenging harmful practices
5. The tension between constitutional values and religious beliefs in Indian society
6. The struggle for women's rights in religious contexts, including the Sabarimala temple controversy
7. The use of religion in politics and its effects on India's democratic fabric
8. The difficulty of separating harmful practices from mainstream religious beliefs
9. The need for progressive education and individual choice in religious matters
Key topics:
- Caste system
- Gender discrimination
- Secularism in India
- Religious reform
- Constitutional rights vs. religious practices
- Political use of religion
Guests:
- Arjun Philip George: Legal scholar with expertise in violence against women on social media platforms
- Giresh Kumar J: Professor of international human rights and social justice
- Samantha Spence: Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Social Justice
This episode provides a thought-provoking look at how witch hunt mentalities persist in modern forms, particularly through the lens of religious and cultural practices in India.
Donate: End Witch Hunts UK Advocacy Trip Fund
Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Betrayal Season 5
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com