This week on Hafta, the inhouse panel of Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, Manisha Pande, Anand Vardhan, and Jayashree Arunachalam talk about the Tokyo Olympics, monsoon session of the parliament, and the change of guard in Karnataka.

Talking about the Olympics, Anand explains the enthusiasm around hockey as compared to other sports. Raman remarks, “Hockey was a national sport...until the rules changed.”

Calling the parliament the “essence of our democracy”, Abhinandan criticises how it has been functioning, or not, in recent times. “Is the parliament irrelevant?” he asks.

In the context of Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha’s speech in the Rajya Sabha about the devastation caused by Covid, Manisha says the opposition needs to find more efficient ways of protesting, instead of just disrupting proceedings.

Jayashree explores the politics around BS Yedyurappa’s resignation and SR Bommai’s appointment as the chief minister of Karnataka.

Listen.

Text by Ruchi Shahagadkar.

Hafta letters: Covid PR, artificial nation, and Hafta veering off topic

Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.