In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the Bajrang Dal attack and consequential arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh-- Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis--both part of the Sister Assisi Mary Immaculate Convent. They are joined by senior advocate and founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves and TNM Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, who speak about the trend of right-wing attacks on Christians in the country.
"Right across the country, almost 1000 cases are recorded every year against Christians. Our Supreme Court let us down very badly, despite having presented data on several attacks on prayer meetings, pastors, and several others in the community," says Colin.
He adds that in most instances, the police book people for activities like praying and speaking to people, alleging that they are forcibly converting people without adequate evidence.
"From 2014 to 2024, under the Modi regime, there has been a surge in attacks against Christians. A bulk of it comes from UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan," cites Pooja Prasanna.
Dhanya adds that in the case of Chhattisgarh, where the nuns have now been arrested, the CM has backed the police and Barjang Dal. "Under CM Bhoopesh, attacks against Christians have been on the rise. The government in the state has not made a difference," she says.
Leena says that the call for stringent laws for anti-conversion laws is rising across the country. “MP CM Mohan Yadav called for the death penalty for the conversion of minor girls. This increasing call for such punishments is unsettling,” she says.
Haritha John adds that conversions are not new and that they have always been happening since the colonial era. “It is also poignant to note that, unlike in Kerala, Bishops are more accessible in the north of India-no securities, no guards. Even convents are more accessible,” she says.
Dhanya points out that the churches in Kerala are quite powerful, but they refuse to speak up for the churches and Christians in the north, especially when it comes to the saffronisation of churches.
In the second part of the discussion, the panel discusses TCS's decision to lay off staff and whether AI plays a part in this, pointing towards an impending employment crisis. They are joined by Sriram Rajagopal and A Welkin.
Post-COVID, there was a lull in the IT sector, followed by a surge in demand for talent. “But by 2022, they realised that the expected boom was not perhaps coming. The IT growth rate did not peak as expected. This leaves companies with excess employees, especially considering the introduction of AI,” says Sriram.
Welkin says that the TCS’s layoff statement says it is a management decision, but it is a forced resignation pattern. “It would seem like the employee is leaving voluntarily, but the reason is that the company decided to lay them off. Besides, for consultancies like TCS, it is absurd that the company cannot accommodate them anywhere across the verticals and projects it deals with,” he adds.
Dhanya asks if the lack of upskilling is a valid reason for a company to let go of its employees. “Deployment is a business problem, not an employee problem. The business is obligated to give jobs and skill development,” says Welkin.
Leena points out how this pattern of layoffs is becoming very predictable, especially in the IT industry. “When senior employees are rendered jobless, it is difficult for the industry to also absorb them and compensate them adequately. Even laws are not very effective towards their ask for compensation,” she says.
Tune in to the discussion here.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introductions
00:01:54: Support TNM
00:02:40 - Headlines
00:10:28 - Attacks on Christians
00:50:53 - TCS layoffs
01:24:21 - Recommendations
References
Poonch’s forgotten victims: Apathy after India-Pak ceasefire
Bhupesh Baghel and the subtle art of keeping voters distracted
‘We live in fear’: Chhattisgarh nuns’ arrest sparks alarm in Christian community
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Colin Gonsalves
Sriram Rajagopal
A Welkin
Leena Reghunath
Pooja Prasanna
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali , written by Sukanya Shaji.