Student protests, Modi, and Rahul Gandhi: Jairam Ramesh on India’s political mood | SpeakEasy Ep 23

In this episode of SpeakEasy with Amit Baruah, Congress General Secretary and Communications in Charge Jairam Ramesh speaks about the changing political mood in India, growing disillusionment with the Narendra Modi government, Rahul Gandhi’s changing public image, and the Congress’s electoral challenges. He discusses the student protests, the Congress’s outreach to young people, and whether the growing demand for political change can be converted into electoral support.

Ramesh argues that the BJP’s political narrative has run its course, with growing disillusionment over polarisation and name-calling. He discusses Rahul Gandhi’s changing communication style and outreach to young people, the Congress’s organisational efforts and its alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. He also speaks about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, concerns over disenfranchisement, the autonomy of constitutional institutions, and what he describes as the institutional capture of the judiciary, constitutional bodies, universities and the media since 2014.