EP-348 | Jinnah, Nehru & Indira, Rajiv, Sikh Diaspora, Modi & Punjab Politics | Tarlochan Singh

EP-348 | Jinnah, Nehru & Indira, Rajiv, Sikh Diaspora, Modi & Punjab Politics | Tarlochan Singh

Author: Asian News International (ANI) September 26, 2025 Duration: 1:32:59

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, while promoting Sikhism around the world. At 92, Tarlochan Singh has seen it all, from India’s Partition to the rise of India as a major power in South Asia.


In Part 2 of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tarlochan Singh talks about Rajiv Gandhi’s Cold War with President Giani Zail Singh and the Bofors scandal. He also shares how Operation Blue Star changed India, and speaks on Hindu-Sikh unity, the farmers’ protest, Punjab’s drug crisis, and the role of the Sikh diaspora in shaping politics today.


00:00 - Coming Up

01:55 - Introduction

03:13 - Bofors Scandal Stories

17:57 - Sikh Diaspora After Rajiv’s Assassination

19:14 - Sikh-Hindu Unity

19:56 - Attempts to Break Sikh-Hindu Unity

24:06 - BJP & Akali Alliance

27:24 - Farmers’ Protest

36:42 - Punjab Unemployment Fuels Drug Crisis

38:00 - How Vajpayee Valued Punjab & Sikhs

42:21 - Dr. Manmohan Singh Beyond Sikh Identity

49:01 - Parkash Singh Badal’s Political Legacy and Life

54:53 - Partap Singh Kairon and Indira Gandhi

59:00 - Role of Sikhs in Modern Delhi

1:04:06 - Khushwant Singh’s Contribution to Sikhs

1:29:10 - Message to Young Sikhs in India & Abroad


Conversations that shape our world often happen behind closed doors or in the quiet moments after the headlines fade. ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash pulls up a chair to those discussions, offering a direct line to the minds of influential figures. Hosted by veteran journalist Smita Prakash, this series moves beyond the soundbite, creating a space where politicians, athletes, artists, and thinkers can explore the nuances of the issues that define contemporary India and global affairs. The dialogue here is driven by curiosity and a commitment to depth, allowing guests to elaborate on their perspectives, their decisions, and the personal experiences that inform their public lives. You will hear candid reflections on current events, policy debates, and cultural shifts, all through the lens of those at the center of the story. Produced by Asian News International, the podcast leverages a legacy of journalistic access and integrity, ensuring every conversation is both insightful and substantive. It’s more than an interview; it’s an opportunity to understand the motivations and narratives driving today’s news. For anyone looking to move past the surface and engage with the substance of politics, society, and human endeavor, this podcast provides a consistently thoughtful and compelling listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Podcast Episodes
EP-398 | Iran War: 10 Lessons India Must Learn Now | Lt Gen Raj Shukla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:27
What lessons can India learn from the Iran war? How have drones proved to be a game-changer in modern warfare? How is Iran using ‘Shahed’ drones to carry out attacks on Israel and Gulf nations? How can Artificial Intelli…