- 3 months ago
DMK Chief MK Stalin, who is currently not a member of the assembly after his defeat in Kolathur, could contest upcoming by-polls from Tiruchirappalli East, according to sources.
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00:01Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today. I'm Akashita Nanda Gopal getting you all
00:06the top stories that we're tracking this Friday evening. We've got lots lined up from you from the southern states.
00:12Also on the show we'll be getting you our weekly India Today explainers. But let's tell you what we're focusing
00:18on from Tamir Nardu today. We could be seeing DMK chief M.K. Stalin returning to the assembly. Remember he
00:24lost from Kolodur. Could he contest from Trichy East?
00:28Is the seat that Vijay gave up after having won two seats? That's our top focus here on Super 6.
00:34Is the DMK going to field M.K. Stalin for a return to the assembly via Trichy East? Or what's
00:39the messaging involved? We'll get you all of those details. I'm Akashita Nanda Gopal. Here are the headlines first.
00:50Massive fallout of Ram Mandir Chanda Chori. Sources say Trust General Secretary Champath Rai and trustee Anand Mishra resigned.
00:58But another trust member Gopal Rao says Champath Rai hasn't resigned yet.
01:21All accused in Ram Mandir scams sent to three-day judicial custody over 79 lakh rupees were recovered.
01:29SIT findings show that there were 70 incidents of theft in three months and cash-counting SOPs were not followed.
01:40Trouble mounts for Punjab chief minister amid sacrilege video row.
01:44Top sick body demands FIR against Chief Minister Maan and Minister Harpal Chima.
01:49Maan blamed a man over the video but he hits back denying buying Bhagwat Maan's mask.
02:05Lohagad murder probe widens. Most skeletons stumble out of the closet. Probe reveals Chetan instigated Siyah to eliminate Ketan.
02:13Siyah's parents speak to India today. Say push off Siyah from the same cliff if she's guilty.
02:28On the other side of the despair.
02:36Germany suffers shocking defeat against Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup. Ecuador qualifies for World Cup qualifiers.
02:54And one of the big issues the Chief Minister Vijay took up in the course of his election
02:58campaign was drugs, promising a drug-free state.
03:02He took a step towards that today, arranging a massive campaign, starting it off with a
03:07marathon run at 6 a.m. And as is the case with everything that a superstar CM does, it went
03:13absolutely viral. At 6 a.m., Chief Minister Vijay kicked off a marathon, saying choose
03:18sports over drugs. A clear outreach message to youngsters. But while this campaign, of
03:24course, sets things in motion for the TVK, now he'll have to walk the talk on the movement,
03:30ensuring that he cracks down on drug supply, particularly in schools and colleges. How
03:35will he do that is the question. But let's give you a sense of what's happened in the
03:39last few hours and the images that now everyone's talking about that 6 a.m. marathon run by
03:45Chief Minister Vijay.
03:47.
03:48.
03:52.
04:15.
04:15.
04:45.
05:15.
05:17.
05:17.
05:18.
05:20.
05:20.
05:21.
05:21.
05:21.
05:21.
05:22.
05:22.
05:25.
05:27.
05:28.
05:28.
05:28.
05:29.
05:30.
05:37Earlier, Vijay also signed on the commitment board
05:40saying sports eda, drugs veda
05:43or take up sports, give up drugs
05:46The marathon was organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu
05:51and witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth organisations
05:54sports enthusiasts and volunteers carrying anti-drug placards and banners
06:03The initiative was part of the Tamil Nadu government's larger campaign
06:06to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse
06:09particularly among school and college students
06:13Through sporting events and public outreach programmes
06:16the government aims to promote a fit lifestyle
06:19while reinforcing the message of a drug-free society
06:24Bureau Report, India Today
06:31This week we've also seen that big assembly showdown
06:34between Chief Minister Vijay and Udenidi Stalin
06:37in which Vijay also made a mention of the fact that Stalin is missing from the assembly
06:41after having lost Kolodur
06:42And so now what we're hearing, sources have told India today
06:46that the DMK chief, MK Stalin, could just enter the assembly
06:49and symbolically could choose to do so from the Trichy East seat
06:53the very seat that Vijay had won, he had won two seats
06:56and decided to resign from Trichy East
06:58So now there'll be a big question about whether Stalin will send across that messaging
07:02by fighting from that very seat
07:04For the DMK, they need this boost
07:06Why? Because more and more allies are dumping the party
07:10The latest, perhaps on that list, could be Vyko's MDMK
07:23The Tamil Nadu political landscape is witnessing fresh twists
07:27DMK chief, MK Stalin, who is currently not a member of the assembly
07:31after his defeat from Kolodur
07:33could soon return to the legislature
07:36Sources indicate that Stalin may contest upcoming by-polls
07:40from Tiruchrapalli East
07:42The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay
07:46retained his Perambul constituency
07:48giving up Tiruchrapalli East
07:50as mandated under election law
07:53Speculation over Stalin's return gained momentum
07:56after senior DMK leader K.N. Nehru hinted
07:59that DMK chief would be back in assembly soon
08:02though he stopped short of naming the constituency
08:27Despite the buzz, DMK has not officially announced its candidate
08:31Asked about contesting, Stalin kept his cards close to his chest
08:42The buzz gathered pace after Vijay
08:45During an assembly session, Mok's DMK bench is asking
08:49Where's your father?
08:50A swipe directed at Stalin
08:52What if one of the actors came out of training
08:55who knows who was actually a man
08:55to kill his skull
08:55who now Rohit
08:56took his hand
08:57and took his hand
08:58to kill his hand
09:00And then he asked
09:02What-data
09:04Then he asked
09:04why do you use the
09:06so he made a man
09:09that do you make a man
09:10and that's why
09:12that's why
09:20He said
09:27Soon after, Stalin hit back.
10:05But is the TMK on the verge of losing yet another ally?
10:09The spotlight is now on MTMK.
10:12Recent meetings between MTMK Chief Vaiko and CM Vijay,
10:16followed by Durey Vaiko's interaction with Chief Minister,
10:19have fueled speculation of a possible political realignment.
10:24After meeting the Chief Minister, Vaiko praised Vijay,
10:27calling him a compassionate leader.
10:30Within a short time, they have succeeded in eradicating
10:36commission and corruption. Hats off to Mr. Vijay.
10:41Meanwhile, MP Durey Vaiko said many MDMK carders were disappointed
10:46and hinted that the party could soon take a decision
10:49on its ties with the DMK.
10:51If you're here, if you are a member of the team,
10:53the team will be very well-wanty.
10:54I am convinced it's a very important role in the students' team.
10:56Yes, I've been with the MPK.
10:58I've been doing a lot.
11:00I have been seeing this interview,
11:03but I didn't know what the other team would be doing.
11:04I'm going to tell you.
11:04I'm going to say I'm coming.
11:05I am coming from the team.
11:06I'm going to gain some support.
11:09I'm going to go to the team.
11:11I'm going to give you a play.
11:12I'm going to be a leader.
11:14I'm going to give you a team.
11:14I am going to give you a team.
11:16I'm going to give you a team.
11:20The speculation carries added significance as several former DMK allies, including Congress,
11:27VCK and IUML, are already backing the Vijay-led government,
11:30while CPI and CPM continue to extend outside support.
11:35Whether Stalin returns through Trichy East by Pol
11:38and whether MDMK charts a new political course
11:41are developments that could reshape Tamil Nadu's evolving political equations in the weeks ahead.
11:48Bureau Report, India Today.
11:52So let's refresh your memory on what really happened in Trichy East a couple of months ago.
11:57Our verdict today, how did Vijay manage to seal a win in Trichy?
12:02Remember, he was against a DMK heavyweight like Irrigo Irdia Raj,
12:05who was the sitting MLA at that particular point
12:08and known to be an extremely influential person at Trichy East.
12:12That didn't matter, however, because as you can see in the numbers there,
12:15Vijay managed to seal a win by over 30,000 votes,
12:1991,000 plus votes for now Chief Minister Vijay versus Inigo Irrigo Irdia Raj,
12:24getting just about 63,900 votes.
12:28Now, if in fact you have Stalin entering the electoral pitch into Trichy East,
12:33yes, it's been a seat that's gone to the DMK previously,
12:37but that changed this time with Vijay in the fray.
12:39He got 50% of the votes, which is a huge margin there,
12:4335% with the DMK versus 50% that went to the TVK, huge margin there.
12:48But was it just the Vijay factor?
12:50Ultimately, if Stalin enters, would it still go in his favor in a Trichy East?
12:55Because ultimately, it's not like Vijay can contest against Stalin in Trichy East.
12:59Let me bring in Anagar Kesha for more details on this.
13:02Anagar, either way, what we're hearing is
13:04that the DMK is going to do everything they can to ensure Stalin re-enters the Assembly.
13:10And perhaps messaging-wise, Trichy East is the best option.
13:16That's right.
13:16In fact, Trichy has been a stronghold of the DMK,
13:19which was broken by TVK's Vijay this time.
13:22So, therefore, Trichy East does look like a good option for Stalin
13:26to make a comeback into the Assembly.
13:27But then again, questions would arise if Uday Nidhi would really be okay
13:32with Stalin making a comeback.
13:34And, you know, if that happens, then he might have to give way
13:36for the leader of opposition's position to his father.
13:39So, a lot of differences in political opinions
13:42and whether there would be two different power centers within the DMK,
13:46if that happens.
13:47A lot of questions will remain, if at all, if this decision is taken.
13:51However, there's another senior leader, Anbil Mahesh,
13:54who was also in the fray.
13:55He has also clearly expressed his interest to DMK's High Command
13:58that he wants to contest this time from Trichy East.
14:02There is another person, Indigo Irudaya Raj,
14:04who was in MLA last time but had suffered a defeat.
14:08So, there are other possible contestants who are eyeing for Trichy East.
14:12But discussions are still underway about the possibility
14:15of Stalin contesting this time.
14:17And then there's a question of who the TVK will field.
14:19A lot of talk about actor Raghavar Lawrence.
14:22If that's the case, imagine that kind of a battle
14:24over Stalin versus Raghavar Lawrence.
14:27We'll see what really plays out.
14:28It'll be interesting to watch out for the Trichy East.
14:30See, thanks very much, Anagar, for those details.
14:33As I wrap up this edition of Super 6,
14:36I'll see you on Monday, same time.
14:38Before that, we will, of course,
14:40get you the week's biggest stories on India Today Explained.
14:43So, stay with us on India Today.
14:55Hello and welcome to another edition of India Today Explained.
14:59I'm Akshar Tananda Gopal.
15:00Over the next half hour, we'll break down the biggest stories of the week.
15:04What do we have for you this week?
15:05We'll start off by getting you details of the alleged Ram Mandir scam.
15:09What are the allegations?
15:11Who governs the temple?
15:13And who is to blame for what's happening right now in the temple?
15:17We'll also focus on the entire question
15:20of whether a passport can be a citizenship document or not.
15:23Is there anything new over the fact that now suddenly
15:26it's been discovered that a passport is not a citizenship document?
15:30Not really.
15:31But I'll explain that in greater detail on the show.
15:34Also, on this edition of India Today Explained,
15:36the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan has resorted to rhetoric,
15:40once again threatening India over the same.
15:41We'll break down for you why the treaty has been put in abeyance
15:45and why Pakistan is struggling, is panicking over the same.
15:50In international news, UK is all set to get a new prime minister.
15:55Why is it that Britain constantly sees this churn of prime ministers?
16:00Why is there no political stability?
16:02I'll explain that for you.
16:03And finally, a debate that's been doing the rounds on social media.
16:07Does China have a caste system in place?
16:10Very interesting one.
16:11I'll get you more on that on this edition of India Today Explained.
16:15So lots lined up for you.
16:16Let's get started.
16:22The alleged misappropriation of nearly 7 crore rupees from donation funds at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
16:28has snowballed into a major controversy,
16:30with police recovering between 10 lakh and 12 lakh rupees from the residence of a temple employee in Ayodhya.
16:36In response to the growing public and political backlash,
16:39the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member special investigation team
16:45to look into these claims.
17:13I can tell them that S.I.T.
17:21This controversy has also acquired a political dimension, with opposition parties targeting
17:26the Uttar Pradesh government and demanding greater transparency in the handling of temple
17:30donations.
17:50S.I.T.
18:22This is the question that S.I.T.
18:40An F.I.R. has been filed in the case, naming eight individuals, including Champath
18:45Rice driver Tinu Yadav and other cashier employees who were involved in the counting of the notes.
18:53But what has been found so far?
18:55The S.I.T.
18:56has now submitted a preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government raising concerns about
19:00the systems used to count, monitor and safeguard donations.
19:04According to findings reviewed by investigators, negligence was observed at multiple levels.
19:09The S.I.T. examined the process through which personnel handling donations were selected
19:14and found lapses in employee screening, security checks and frisking procedures during entry
19:19and exit from duty.
19:21The probe also found that dress code rules for employees handling cash were not being enforced
19:26strictly.
19:27Investigators noted instances where employees allegedly stood in front of CCTV cameras, therefore
19:33obstructing visibility in sensitive areas.
19:35Now, the investigative team further flagged negligence in the transportation of donation boxes
19:40and in procedures followed between collection, counting and the final deposit of cash in bank
19:45accounts.
19:46But investigators for now have reportedly concluded the direct removal of cash from the hundis,
19:52the donation boxes appear unlikely.
19:54But let's look at the overall picture here.
19:56Who oversees the temple?
19:58The Ram Mandir is administered by the Sri Ram Janma Bhumi Teerth Shetra.
20:02This is a trust, a 15-member body created in February 2020 after the Supreme Court's
20:08Ayodhya verdict.
20:09The trust oversees the temple's construction, finances and administration.
20:14Twelve members were appointed by the government.
20:17Three were selected during the trust's first meeting.
20:19Former Attorney General K. Parasaran is a founding trustee.
20:23Mahant Nitya Gopal Das serves as chairman.
20:26Champath Rai handles much of the day-to-day administration.
20:29Swami Govan Devgiri oversees financial matters as treasurer.
20:33The trust's accounts are independently maintained and audited.
20:37It's authorised the State Bank of India to manage the counting and banking of donations.
20:41So how is that counted?
20:43Well, around 35 donation boxes, hundis, essentially are placed across the temple complex.
20:49Temple officials estimate daily cash offerings range from 8 lakh right up to 13 lakhs.
20:54And that goes up to 50 to 60 lakhs during major festivals.
20:57The trust, therefore, authorised SBI to handle the money.
21:01The bank outsourced counting to a private agency.
21:04Counting takes place in two shifts each day.
21:07And so these private agency staff members sought and bundle currency notes.
21:12Trust employees supervise the process.
21:15TCS is involved.
21:16It manages the CCTV network.
21:18SBI officials verify the cash before deposit.
21:21This is the multi-layered system and involves several agencies and checkpoints,
21:25which investigators are now examining closely as part of the investigation.
21:29Who controls the finances?
21:31Well, the Sri Ram Janmubhumi Teeth Shetra Trust functions as an autonomous charitable trust,
21:37manages its own finances.
21:39The Uttar Pradesh government does not directly control the trust's funds.
21:43Oversight comes through internal and statutory audits.
21:46Government intervention generally is limited to exceptional circumstances.
21:51What about other major temples?
21:53Ram Mandir's governance structure differs from many major temples that operate under state-controlled boards.
21:59If I were to give you an example, the Thirmala Tirupati Devastanam functions under Andhra Pradesh law
22:04and the subjective government oversight, audits as well as administrative intervention.
22:09By contrast, the Ram Mandir Trust operates independently.
22:12While the temple has received substantial donations since its consecration,
22:17institutions like the Thirmala Tirupati Devastanam, the Padmanabha Swami temple,
22:21they have accumulated wealth and endowments over decades.
22:24This controversy has now triggered calls for reform in the temple's management.
22:28The Ram Janmubhumi Temple Construction Committee chairman, Ripendra Mishra,
22:32has said this episode exposed gaps in supervision, accountability and compliance systems.
22:38With nearly 1500 people involved in activities across the temple complex,
22:43he's argued that this institution now requires a more professional administrative structure.
22:47It was a matter of trust and very, very informal.
22:54That has led to some of these temporary failures and I would think that if we replace it by a
23:07formal system,
23:09by a trust backed with vigilance, we'll be able to restore the significance and, you know, the divinity of the
23:23country.
23:23Among the reforms suggested are stronger oversight mechanisms,
23:27clearly defined responsibilities and the appointment of a chief executive officer to improve accountability.
23:34The investigation is underway.
23:35We'll be tracking closely what emerges and who is responsible for the scam.
23:44Europe or America, Dubai or Singapore, you've carried this little booklet across the world.
23:51This is an Indian passport and if you've ever applied for one, you know, getting it isn't exactly easy.
23:57There are forms, verification, police checks and a whole lot of waiting.
24:02Which is why most of us have always believed one thing.
24:05That if you've got this, if you have an Indian passport, you're an Indian citizen.
24:09As simple as that.
24:11In fact, for years this was seen as the ultimate proof of nationality.
24:15You could show your passport at an airport, at an embassy, almost anywhere in the world
24:20and it would tell a simple story.
24:22This person belongs to India.
24:23But what if I told you that it doesn't quite do that?
24:28The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that a passport is primarily a travel document.
24:34Its purpose is to facilitate international travel.
24:37In simple words, having a passport does not by itself conclusively establish citizenship.
24:45Confusing, right?
24:46Well, a passport is commonly understood as an official government document
24:50that certifies a person's identity, it certifies their nationality too,
24:54which is why you've been given the passport.
24:56But, the Passport Act of 1967 allows passports to be issued in certain circumstances to non-citizens as well.
25:04And that's what makes the government's position clear on this.
25:08In fact, in 2013, the Bombay High Court held that a passport is not conclusive proof of citizenship.
25:13Indian citizenship is determined under the Citizenship Act of 1955, based on eligibility and overall evidence.
25:22Not one single document.
25:24So, when the government or the courts say that a passport is not by itself proof of citizenship,
25:30it does raise an obvious question.
25:32What is?
25:33This isn't the first time India has faced this question.
25:36Before the passport, there was another document many people trusted for exactly the same reason.
25:41The voter ID card.
25:43Because only citizens can vote.
25:44So, if someone has been voting for years, election after election, surely that should settle the matter.
25:50Surely that proves citizenship.
25:52Not really.
25:53It proves that you're a registered voter.
25:55It's not treated as a final certificate of citizenship.
25:58And this distinction came into focus recently during the debate over SIR exercises.
26:05So then, which document is definitive proof?
26:08Well, the answer is a bit complicated.
26:10India doesn't have one single citizenship card.
26:13Take Aadhar, for that matter.
26:14Again, in the midst of the SIR debate, you had millions using it every day.
26:18It's perhaps the most widely held identity document in the country.
26:22Yet, an Aadhar doesn't prove citizenship.
26:25It was designed for residents, not just citizens.
26:28Then, there's the PAN card.
26:30Useful for taxes?
26:31Not proof of citizenship again.
26:34You're thinking ration card?
26:35Proof that you're part of a welfare system?
26:38Nope.
26:38Not proof of citizenship.
26:39So, you've got different documents, different purposes.
26:43But none of them on their own answer the citizenship question.
26:47Why?
26:48Because citizenship in India is not based on a single card.
26:51It comes from the Constitution.
26:52It comes from the Citizenship Act.
26:55A person may be a citizen by birth or through descent or through registration.
27:00So, for one person, a birth certificate may be crucial.
27:03For another, parental records.
27:05For someone else, documents establishing family history, residence or citizenship granted through registration or naturalization.
27:13So, a set of facts that are taken together to establish identity and belonging essentially.
27:19And perhaps that's what makes this debate larger than just a passport.
27:23For decades, most Indians never had to actively prove that they were citizens.
27:28Citizenship was assumed.
27:30It was reflected in school records, in government documents, voter lists, honestly in everyday life.
27:35The system worked because that assumption was rarely challenged.
27:39But as debates around citizenship, verification around illegal immigration grew, one gap has become clear.
27:46India still has no single universally accepted proof of citizenship.
27:51So, in a country where citizenship determines who can vote, who can hold public office and enjoy the full protection
27:57of the Constitution,
27:58how should citizenship be proved?
28:01Should a modern democracy continue to rely on a patchwork of documents, records and presumptions?
28:07The real question really is not about what a passport proves.
28:10The real question is why even today, India doesn't have that one document that settles the matter once and for
28:16all.
28:21It's been a year since India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, stating that the suspension would remain in
28:28effect
28:28until Pakistan credibly renounces its support for cross-border terror.
28:34Tensions are rising again now, as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has warned that water security could become a cause
28:41of war with India
28:43if Islamabad believes its national interests are under threat.
28:46The moment we feel that our national security, water is part of our national security, is being set and we'll
28:50go to war next year.
28:51In response to his statement, India has doubled down on its position over the Indus Waters Treaty.
28:57Water Resources Minister Siyar Patil said New Delhi is taking steps to stop the flow of Indus waters to Pakistan,
29:03asserting that Islamabad will not receive a single drop of water from India in the years ahead.
29:08Water Resources Minister Siyar Patil said New Delhi is not only water like him for a single drop of water,
29:20but our students are working on us.
29:22I think that the work is going on, the work is going on every other way.
29:28The word is not going on one drop of water that is not going on in the next years,
29:37so let's explain to you what exactly the Indus waters treaty is this is a water
29:43distribution agreement between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank and
29:47signed way back in 1960 it governs the use and sharing of water from the six
29:52rivers of the Indus River system including the Indus Jalem Chenab Ravi
29:57BS and Sutledge the treaty was signed to manage water sharing peacefully and
30:02sustainably between the two countries which have historically had tense
30:06relations especially of course after the partition in 1947 but what are the key
30:10provisions this treaty has divided the Indus river system into two parts the
30:15western river system including the Indus Jalem and Chenab rivers and then there's
30:20the eastern river system the Ravi BS and Sutledge rivers as per the treaty
30:25Pakistan received control over the western rivers India over the eastern
30:29rivers under this treaty the waters of the three eastern rivers I'll repeat
30:33that Ravi Sutledge and BS amounting to an average of 33 million acre feet annually
30:38were allocated to India for its exclusive use in contrast the waters of the three
30:43western rivers Indus Jalem and Chenab with an average annual flow of about 135
30:52million acre feet so you see that about 100 million acre feet difference that was
30:56allocated to Pakistan with India permitted only limited use for domestic
31:00non-consumptive and specified agricultural purposes so that's
31:05hydroelectric power irrigation navigation and fishing without interfering with the
31:10flow to Pakistan also India cannot store or divert the waters of western rivers
31:15for consumptive use here the World Bank acts as a facilitator and observer but has
31:20no adjudicatory role unless both parties step in and request the same now with the
31:26treaty being suspended how does it affect Pakistan this treaty mind you survived
31:31multiple wars and periods of high tension between the two nations but after the
31:35Pell Garm attack in 2025 it's been suspended by the government of India how is
31:40this affecting Pakistan the Indus waters treaty is not just a water sharing
31:44agreement but a lifeline for its agricultural economy and water security
31:49Pakistan gets around 80 percent of its total water supply from the western
31:53rivers these rivers are the backbone of Pakistan's irrigation system which feeds
31:58the Indus Basin irrigation system which is the largest contiguous irrigation
32:02system in the world and so this suspension is ruining the agricultural economy of
32:08Pakistan which employs over 35 percent of Pakistan's labor force it
32:12contributes around 19 percent to the country's GDP major crops like wheat rice
32:18sugarcane cotton they all rely heavily on irrigation from these rivers a
32:23disruption of water flow could lead to crop failure food shortages and inflation
32:27hitting the poorest the hardest Pakistan moreover has limited water storage
32:33capacity just about 30 days rainfall in Pakistan is seasonal highly variable and so
32:38rivers are the only consistent source of fresh water millions of people in
32:42Pakistani cities Lahore Multan Hyderabad rely on water from the western rivers for
32:48drinking and for sanitation this disruption water flow would have a direct
32:52impact on public health and urban infrastructure the Indus waters treaty is
32:57not just a water agreement it's critical to Pakistan's survival it ensures
33:01access to life-sustaining rivers it underpins the country's agriculture and
33:06economy this division by the Indian government is a message against
33:09Pakistan's regular support for cross-border terror it poses a serious
33:13strategic challenge for Pakistan both internally and internationally
33:21why can't Britain keep a prime minister this question has haunted British
33:26politics ever since the brexit referendum and now it's claimed yet another
33:31leader Keir Starmer has resigned Andy Burnham is set to become Britain's new
33:36prime minister so since 2016 Britain has had seven prime ministers that's right
33:43since 2016 in 10 years seven prime ministers five of them have changed within
33:48just the last five years alone compare that to the 28 years between 1979 and 2007
33:55when only three people held Britain's top political office Margaret Thatcher John
34:00Major and Tony Blair Britain was once known for political stability and that was
34:06of course pre 2016 the country had only four finance ministers in 23 years today Britain has yet
34:14another prime minister so why has the UK system suddenly become so fragile the answer lies in
34:21how Britain actually chooses its prime minister unlike presidential systems British
34:26voters do not directly elect their prime minister instead voters elect members of
34:31Parliament to the House of Commons and the leader of that party that wins a
34:34majority of states usually becomes prime minister much like the India model this
34:38creates a fundamentally different kind of political system a British prime
34:43minister serves not to the direct mandate of the public but at the confidence of
34:46their own party's MPs and that means a prime minister can be removed without a
34:51national election ever taking place there are three main ways a British
34:56prime minister can fall first losing a general election easy enough second losing a
35:02parliamentary vote of no confidence that forces the government to resign or call
35:06fresh elections but the third by far the most brutal is internal party revolt and
35:13this is how most modern British prime ministers actually fall under
35:17conservative party rules MPs can submit letters to the powerful 1922 committee
35:22requesting a confidence vote against their own leader if enough MPs rebel a
35:27leadership contest is triggered Labour party rules are slightly different but the
35:32principle is the same the biggest threat to a British prime minister is often
35:36their own party but why did this instability suddenly explode after 2016 one word
35:43Brexit the referendum to leave the European Union triggered a political quake in
35:49Britain Brexit split both the country and the Conservative Party to rival
35:53ideological camps it created endless battles over immigration trade sovereignty economic policy
36:00and Britain's future outside Europe the result was chaos prime ministers rose and
36:05fell at unprecedented speed as governments struggle to survive internal
36:09rebellions parliamentary deadlock and collapsing public trust but now even
36:15Starmer came to power promising stability faced a political siege of his own and left the
36:212026 crisis surrounding Starmer's government emerged amid growing public
36:25frustration over the economy public services and the rising cost of living his
36:30popularity collapsed after repeated policy u-turns especially on welfare reforms
36:35and economic promises critics increasingly began comparing him to list
36:39trust whose disastrous 45-day premiership triggered market panic sent the
36:44British pound crashing Starmer was further damaged by his controversial
36:48appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the United States a decision
36:53heavily criticized because of Mandelson's past links to Jeffrey Epstein so now
36:58that Starmer has resigned what next does Britain need another general election if
37:05Labour MPs and party members elected a new leader that person would automatically
37:09become Prime Minister in this case it seems to be Andy Burnham as long as he retains the
37:13confidence of Parliament in which case no public vote required and this is exactly why Britain can
37:19cycle through Prime Minister so rapidly but the deeper story goes beyond Starmer himself
37:25Britain's traditional two-party political system appears to be breaking apart for decades
37:31British politics was dominated almost entirely by Labour and Conservatives now at least five major
37:37political forces compete naturally Labour Conservatives reform UK Greens and Liberal Democrats and that could also be one of the
37:47real stories
37:47behind Britain's revolving door of Prime Minister's it's no longer just simply a crisis of leadership this is a crisis
37:54of the entire political system Britain was built on stable party loyalties for decades
38:00Voters largely moved between Labour and the Conservatives government lasted for years Prime Ministers governed with strong mandates that era
38:08has collapsed clearly Brexit shattered old alliances Prime Minister's government rather weakly fall faster than they've risen and unless Britain
38:17rebuilds public trust adapts to its changing politics 10 Downing Street may continue to remain a revolving door of temporary
38:24Prime Ministers instead of a symbol of stable leadership
38:32For weeks social media platforms have been abuzz with claims that China has its own version of a caste system
38:39videos highlighting cramped migrant housing labour intensive factory jobs and the contrast between China's glittering mega cities and poorer rural
38:49regions have fueled the debate at the centre of the discussion is China's Hoku system a household registration mechanism that
38:57determines where
38:58where citizens officially belong and what public services they can access so critics argue that it creates birth based inequalities
39:05affecting education health care welfare as well as opportunities
39:10Supporters maintain that comparing Hoku to a caste system is misleading because this is an administrative tool
39:17The debate is further complicated by references to Shinong Gong Shang an ancient Chinese social structure
39:23Together these two systems are often cited as evidence of a Chinese caste order but how accurate is that claim?
39:30Let's break down the two systems that I'm referring to first the Imperial China the Shi Non Gong Shang system
39:37This system emerged during the late Zhou dynasty and warring states period and was later documented by Han historian Ban
39:46Ju
39:46It divided society into four occupational groups
39:49At the top were the Shi scholars, intellectuals, government officials who were valued for governance and moral leadership under Confucian
39:58philosophy
39:59Next came the Nong, this is the second level
40:02The Nong farmers considered essential because agriculture is the backbone of the economy
40:07At the third level, the Gong comprising artisans and craftsmen
40:11Third for their contribution to production and daily life
40:14And at the very bottom were the Shan, merchants and traders
40:17Despite often being wealthy, they held lower social prestige because Confucian thought viewed profit-seeking with suspicion
40:25Historians, however, cautioned against calling this a caste system
40:28It may sound like it, you can easily compare that to caste
40:31Social mobility, however, in this case was possible
40:34A merchant's son could pass imperial examinations
40:38And so rise, become scholar official
40:40While wealthy traders often gain significant influence
40:43Most importantly, the system was not based on hereditary concepts
40:47Of purity or rigid endogamy
40:50It disappeared more than a century ago
40:52It plays no role today in modern Chinese governance
40:55But there's another system that I refer to
40:57The Hoku system, that's in place right now
41:00This system was introduced in 1958 under Mao Zedong
41:04As a nationwide household registration framework
41:08That's what it's called
41:09Every Chinese citizen is registered to a specific locality
41:12And so they are assigned a registration category
41:14The system has two major components
41:17First, geographical registration
41:19Linking a citizen to a village, a county, city, district or municipality
41:23Then there's a second classification
41:26This is socio-economic
41:27Historically divided people into agricultural, non-agricultural categories
41:32Based on the occupation
41:33And so that obviously also translates to rural and urban residents
41:37Because access to many public services has traditionally depended on a person's location
41:42Hoku is often described as an internal passport system
41:46While citizens can move freely within China
41:48The benefits available to them often depend on where their Hoku is registered
41:53And whether that location has those perks
41:56For decades, the system has been a key tool for managing population distribution and economic development
42:01But why was this created in the first place?
42:04The origins of Hoku lie in China's industrialization strategy during the mid-20th century
42:10As the government sought rapid economic growth
42:13Policy makers feared that unrestricted migration from rural areas into cities
42:17Could overwhelm urban infrastructure
42:20Which is a conversation even being had today
42:22That this could strain public resources
42:24And create sprawling informal settlements
42:27And so they believed that the Hoku system offered a solution
42:30Linking social benefits to a person's registered location
42:34Authorities could regulate population movements
42:37While directing resources towards strategic industrial centers
42:41Access to public education
42:43Subsidized housing
42:44Healthcare
42:45Pensions
42:46Welfare programs
42:47All of that tied to the Hoku status
42:49The arrangement enables cities to receive significant state investment
42:54While limiting uncontrolled rural to urban migration
43:02The strongest criticism, however, of Hoku
43:05Is the inequality it created between rural and urban populations
43:09For decades, urban residents had better access to schools, hospitals
43:14And of course, overall infrastructure and job opportunities
43:17Rural residents faced significant disadvantages
43:20The divide became more visible as millions of rural workers moved to cities
43:25Becoming the backbone of China's manufacturing, construction, logistics and urban development
43:31But most retained their rural Hoku
43:34And remained excluded from many urban public services
43:37The impact extended to their families as well
43:40With migrant workers, children often facing difficulties enrolling into a city school
43:44Forcing some families to pay extra fees
43:47Or simply leave children behind in rural hometowns
43:50But can Hoku be compared to a caste system?
43:53This comparison is based on three features
43:56Inheritance first
43:57Children traditionally inherited their parents' registration status
44:01So they continue in the same location more or less
44:04Second, unequal access to resources
44:06Hoku status officially, historically determined access to education, healthcare
44:12And all possible other perks
44:14And that creates disparity between different groups
44:16And the third, restricted mobility
44:19Although changing Hoku status was possible
44:22Obtaining urban registration was often difficult for migrants
44:30But in recent years, China has introduced reforms to reduce Hoku-related restrictions
44:36Viewing the rural-urban divide as an economic challenge that limits labour mobility
44:41Limits growth, domestic consumption and demographic adaptation
44:45Restrictions have been removed in many cities
44:48With populations below 3 million
44:50While stable employment or housing can often qualify even migrants for registration
44:54In medium-sized cities
44:56China has also weakened the link between Hoku and social insurance
45:00Giving migrant workers greater access, therefore, to all benefits where they work
45:05Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
45:09They still maintain stricter requirements
45:11But many now use a points-based system
45:14Based on education, skills, tax contribution
45:17Hoku remains in place
45:19But it's far less rigid than it was decades ago
45:23That's all we have time for in this edition of India Today Explains
45:26Thanks very much for tuning in
45:27I'll see you at the same time next week
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