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The Big Fight

Tempers fly as the newsmakers of the week face-off in this award-winning show. Anchored by Sanket Upadhyay, this weekly program has politicians battlling wits with a live audience.

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646 EPISODES

Change In Dhaka, Concern In Delhi: The Post-Hasina Scenarios

In the last one week, Bangladesh has seen great turmoil. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country and landed in Delhi as student protests forced a regime change. Now, an interim government has taken charge, led by Nobel-laureate Muhammad Yunus. There has been violence, vandalism and rioting. There is hope that things will return to normal with a new government at the helm, but the tectonic change in Dhaka has left Delhi concerned. In this edition of The Big Fight, we debate the 'Change in Dhaka, Concern in Delhi: India's Hasina Dilemma?' Watch the full show on NDTV.

MoreAug 10, 2024 02:57 (IST)
52:14

What Are The Lessons Learnt From Wayanad Tragedy?

The enormity of the Wayanad tragedy is still not clear. With each day, the death count keeps on increasing. At least 200 people are still missing. NDTV is also running a campaign to support the survivors of this horrific tragedy. In this week's Big Fight, we ask, What are the lessons learnt from Wayanad landslides? And can we prepare ourselves to avoid another catastrophe? Watch the full show on NDTV.

MoreAug 4, 2024 19:49 (IST)
52:01

Balancing Expectations Biggest Challenge Of Union Budget

The first Budget of Modi 3.0 will be presented next week. The Budget expectations are running high among all sectors. The current environment for the capital markets is highly favorable, characterised by an overwhelmingly optimistic sentiment among investors. As always, politics and economics go hand in hand. In this edition of The Big Fight, we talk about the politics of the Budget and expectations that states have from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and why do non-BJP ruled states continue to speak about discrimination much before the budget is presented. 

MoreJul 19, 2024 23:35 (IST)
53:10

How To Clean Up The NEET Mess?

The National Entrance cum Eligibility test that's NEET controversy continues to hog the headlines. But, beyond headlines, it's the uncertainty which concerns aspirants and their parents. This year's NEET faces several questions - paper leaks, impersonation, cheating and other irregularities. In this edition of the Big Fight, we decode 'The NEET Dilemma'. Tune in to the full show on NDTV.

MoreJul 12, 2024 22:39 (IST)
52:32

Hathras' Stampede: Why Are Indians Obsessed With Godmen?

The tragedy in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras in which 121 people were killed in a stampede when they went to attend a satsang of the godman Bhole Baba once again brings to the forefront the phenomenon of godmen, mystics and saints - not unique by any means to only India, but a problem, many feel at so many levels. Who are these godmen? What are their true credentials? Why are vulnerable people made to believe them? In this show on Left, Right & Centre - we discuss 'The Godmen Phenomenon'.

MoreJul 5, 2024 23:55 (IST)
27:11

Showdown Session, Disruption, No Debate: Who's Holding Up The House?

It was the first week of the inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha, 543 representatives of people of India showcasing the diversity and complexities of our nation entered the new Parliament. The BJP-led NDA has the mandate but the Opposition too is big on numbers and has the opportunity to push for debates. With daggers drawn between the Opposition and the Treasury benches in the very first week who is reading the mandate correctly?

MoreJun 28, 2024 23:12 (IST)
52:54

One-Agency Exam System Struggles To Find Takers After Back-To-Back Failures

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is in the eye of a storm. The umbrella body that conducts 15 major exams is facing a big test itself. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said the question paper leak of UG-NET - an exam that was cancelled - was an institutional failure. Two back-to-back exam controversies have amplified long-simmering doubts among sections of higher education faculty whether the NTA has the right composition and adequate capacity to conduct nationwide tests that are crucial for careers. Has the time come to review this one-agency exam system?

MoreJun 21, 2024 23:40 (IST)
54:34

NEET Fiasco: What's The Way Forward?

It's an elite exam and is in the eye of a massive storm. This week NEET hogged headlines for all the wrong reasons - from allegations of paper leaks to malpractices. It's just one exam and 24 lakhs appeared for it. There are over 60 toppers - a bunch of them from just one centre scoring 720 out of 720 marks, which was unimaginable to date. Hundreds scored 719 and 718 marks, which is impossible in the NEET marking scheme. The National Testing Agency has said that these scores were due to grace marks given to some students at some centres where there were glitches and students lost time. The Supreme Court ordered a retest for the 1,563 students who got the grace marks. However, the larger aspirant community wants the exam scrapped and is demanding a retest for all. The issue has also become political with the Opposition, especially the DMK, upping the ante and demanding that the NEET be scrapped totally. They are also threatening to raise the issue in the upcoming session of the Parliament. The Education Minister met a group of students and their parents and assured them. In an exclusive interview, Dharmendra Pradhan ruled out the scrapping of NEET and insisted that the exam was clean. The larger question is: IS NEET actually clean? Who is playing with the lives of lakhs of aspirants and what is the way forward?

MoreJun 14, 2024 23:54 (IST)
53:44

Regional Resurgence As Coalition Politics Return

The era of alliance is back in India. With a message that a majority is needed to run the government, but consensus is needed to run the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spelt out his vision for the coalition partners, as he emphasized he will pursue consensus. The new NDA government will be sworn in on Sunday. In this week's Big Fight with Marya Shakil, we look at the return of the coalition era. Watch the full show on NDTV.

MoreJun 7, 2024 23:45 (IST)
50:38

The 2024 Deciders: 5 States That Hold The Key

As the battle for 2024 enters the slog overs, there are 5 states this Lok Sabha election that could decide if the NDA will really go 400 paar - UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Karnataka. In this edition of 'The Big Fight' with Marya Shakil we decode, 'The 2024 deciders - 5 states that hold the key in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls'.

MoreMay 17, 2024 23:07 (IST)
51:11

15 Days Before Delhi Polls, Arvind Kejriwal Is Released From Jail

Arvind Kejriwal was released from Delhi's Tihar Jail Friday evening - 50 days after he was jailed on corruption charges linked to the alleged liquor policy scam and hours after the Supreme Court granted bail till June 1. The Aam Aadmi Party's leader's release means he can now campaign for the AAP, and the INDIA bloc, in the ongoing election, in which Delhi's seven seats will vote on May 25. He is to surrender by June 2. What will be its implications? Watch Big Fight

 

MoreMay 10, 2024 23:50 (IST)
50:34

Bastions Becoming Achilles Heel For Politicians In India's Evolving Political Landscape?


The Gandhis have given up the Amethi seat and fielded a party loyalist from the seat. With this, for the first time in years, a non-Gandhi is contesting from Congress in Amethi. On the Big Fight, we debate, whether bastions have become the Achilles heel for politicians in the evolving political landscape of India.

MoreMay 3, 2024 23:30 (IST)
48:50

One Week To Go For Poll Battle: First-Time Voters Leaning Towards PM Modi?

A recent survey by Lokniti-CSDS delves into the political preferences of first-time voters. It was done in January. The data suggests that BJP has a substantial lead with 70 % support indicating a widespread belief among the first-time voters that the BJP is best suited for national governance. Are first-timers leaning towards PM Modi? Watch Big Fight.

MoreApr 12, 2024 23:34 (IST)
54:05

The Big Fight: How Strong Are BJP's Forts Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls?

In this week of The Big Fight with Marya Shakil, we discuss the BJP's dash of nationalism in 2024 campaign. The question we ask on the show tonight: "How strong are BJP's forts?" Let's debate.

MoreApr 5, 2024 21:46 (IST)
51:16

Supreme Court Forces Electoral Bonds Disclosure. Will It Ensure Transparency?

In this edition of The Big Fight with Marya Shakil, we discuss the Electoral bonds theory. Electoral Bonds were to make the poll process transparent, instead they have been declared unconstitutional and arbitrary. The bonds allowed donors and parties to keep their association hidden from the public - only the State Bank of India could track the donations. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud set the tone for the verdict by stressing that "information about funding of political parties is essential for the effective exercise of the choice of voting". The question we ask, 'Can the relationship between Money and politics be ever transparent?'

 

MoreMar 15, 2024 23:12 (IST)
27:25

Political Parties Wooing Women Ahead Of 2024 Polls

With just weeks to go before the general elections, women voters have taken centre stage again. There is competitive populism among political parties to woo this crucial vote bloc. Tonight, on this special episode of The Big Fight with Marya Shakil we have an all-women panel to decode how women are becoming the game-changers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

MoreMar 8, 2024 23:03 (IST)
42:49

BJP Vs India Bloc: Who Is More Battle-Ready?

On the show tonight, we decode the BJP Vs INDIA bloc - who is more battle-ready ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP is leaving no stones unturned, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paused his Nyay Yatra to speak at the Cambridge University. Let's decode.

MoreMar 1, 2024 02:20 (IST)
48:50

Farmers' Agitation For MSP Law: Is It A Fair Demand?

Why are farmers protesting? What are their demands? The farmers, primarily from Punjab and Haryana, are seeking a legal guarantee on the minimum support price. The government has held four round of talks but has not made any headway. What is the solution to this problem? Watch The Big Fight. 

MoreFeb 24, 2024 01:01 (IST)
43:36

Will Ban On Electoral Bonds Clean Up Indian Politics?

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court has declared the Electoral bond Scheme - launched in 2018 with much fanfare - as unconstitutional. They violate the people's right to information and Article 14 of the Constitution guaranteeing equality. They also infringe upon the principle of free and fair elections as stipulated in the Constitution, the court argued. The Electoral Bond Scheme was launched in 2018 after a series of amendments to financial rules in 2016 and 2017. The petitioners argued that their effect was to enable political parties to not disclose contributions received through electoral bonds, allow companies to make unlimited funding, and not disclose the details of contributions made in any form. This has now been overturned. On The Big Fight, we ask, "Will the Supreme Court ruling clean up political funding in the country?"

MoreFeb 16, 2024 23:06 (IST)
50:05

Decoding Reality Behind Fund Allocation War

India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States, this is how Article 1 of the Indian Constitution describes the country, underscoring the unity of India. That's how democracy was envisaged by the makers of our Constitution but over the last few months a strong north vs south narrative is playing out.  Three southern states - Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu - have reached Delhi to knock on the doors of the central government alleging discrimination in the federal funds allocated to states. The question we ask tonight on 'The Big Fight': What is the reality behind the fund allocation war?

MoreFeb 9, 2024 23:51 (IST)
53:00