Truth Vs Hype

The stage is set for the first meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump. It comes at a time when President Trump faces intense scrutiny for his business interests around the world including India. This week, we examine Trump's real estate projects in India -- how they enrich him and do they pose a conflict of interest.

The CEO of NITI Aayog and the government's rainmaker joins us for a town hall debate on the government's struggle to create jobs. Does the hype around the government's claims of creating millions of jobs match the facts?

What explains the spreading unrest by farmers, from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra? Chief Ministers of both states deny the anger is spurred by their policies. They say the sharp drop in prices is because good monsoons have resulted in a glut, which is not the fault of government. We travel to the hinterlands to separate truth from hype.

Across India, cow vigilante attacks show no sign of stopping. Now, the centre has brought in even stronger cow protection rules, forbidding the sale of cattle at markets for slaughter. This kind of cow-centric policymaking, and statements by top BJP leaders, feeds the paranoia that the holy cow is under greater threat than before. But what are the facts to back this claim? Is illegal trafficking and slaughter of cow rising at alarming levels? This week, using the Right to Information, ground reports, and fact-gathering, we try to collate the data on the extent of illegal cattle slaughter and trafficking in India. Watch what we found.

Just over 90 days ago, a new BJP government took charge in Uttar Pradesh. The new chief minister promised that law and order will be his priority. And yet, Saharanapur, in west Uttar Pradesh has been rocked with sectarian violence for over a month - Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, upper castes - a cycle of action and reaction that refuses to die down. This week, we travel to the ground to examine why Saharanpur continues to burn. Are the same political dynamics unleashed by the BJP's stunning mandate, now coming back to haunt the Yogi sarkar?

As demonetisation completes six months, the government claims it as one of its most radical achievements. The goalposts of this policy move, however, have been shifting from eliminating black money to widening tax base; from weeding out fake currency to moving closer to a cashless economy. We will take a hard look at the economics: did the big shock to the economy reap the promised benefits?

Donald Trump has just about completed 100 chaotic days in the White House, but his Presidency already seems on edge, the latest crisis triggered by his sacking of the FBI Director. But in the face of falling approval ratings, and widespread criticism, does Trump's core base still stand by him? To find out Truth vs Hype travels to a crucial swing state to revisit a group of Trump's supporters we had met in November 2016, to ask them if they are still dazzled by President Trump or are they experiencing buyers' remorse?

One of the biggest expectations of the Modi government is creating jobs. By 2020, India's working age population is expected to hit a peak, making it the youngest country in the world. But as unemployment figures remain high, there are worries if India's demographics advantage can turn into a nightmare. This week, on Truth vs Hype, we examine if the claims made by the Modi government on creating jobs are truth or hype.

From UP to Jharkhand, a new-found religious aggression is taking wind across India. Some of it is by fringe, extremist Hindutva groups but worryingly - some of it is driven by mainstream members of the BJP. On Truth vs Hype, we uncover the rising impunity of these forces.

As Kashmir slips deeper into crisis we travel to the troubled valley for an on-ground report - has Kashmir lost faith in democracy? Who is in charge of the state? What role is social media playing in stoking tensions? And is it still possible to pull the Valley back from the brink?

After Uttar Pradesh wrote off 36,000 crore of farm loans and more states are considering similar waivers. This week, on Truth vs Hype, we examine whether loan waivers provide only short term relief while ignoring deeper symptoms of rural distress.

So-called cow vigilantes have struck again, killing one man in Rajasthan and wounding several more. Gau Rakshak violence is not new, but what is changed is that the ideology they use to justify their violence - the idea of the "cow in peril" - is being amplified by the BJP at its highest level. Senior leaders and chief ministers of the ruling party keep the "cow under threat" rhetoric alive, through statements and policies. But as we uncover this week, these claims are not grounded in facts, nor in ideology, and yet they are being used again and again, regardless of consequences.

This week we travel to Bangkok to interview Lalit Modi, the former IPL boss wanted by Indian law. As India's appeal to get an international arrest warrant against him is rejected by Interpol, we examine how he won his case, and whether he plans to re enter Indian cricket by proxy.

Many believe that this is a make or break election for Mayawati. That if she loses Uttar Pradesh, she loses political relevance. We travel to the ground to examine whether the Bahujan Samaj Party is right in claiming that the media has once again not read a hidden current of support for Mayawati. Will she spring a surprise or is this the BSP supremo's last stand?

VK Sasikala's nominee Chief Minister E Palaniswami may have won the trust vote but has he lost the trust of the people? In a special live edition of Truth vs Hype, the actor Kamal Haasan, singer TM Krishna and a host of leading voices debate whether Tamil Nadu is on the brink of a public uprising.

As VK Sasikala escalates a bid to become Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, public unease against her possible ascension is rising - in part fuelled by her business interests and that of her family. New findings by NDTV show further proof of worrisome financial dealings, specifically how a web of shell companies links Ms Sasikala to a controversial mining baron.

Even before the BJP released its final list of candidates this week, it had taken its campaign for elections in Uttar Pradesh to the level of polling booths, bearing all hallmarks of the Amit Shah school of election management. The message sent out through a flotilla of bikes and video vans and by a massive social media campaign is of a promise of 'development' and much needed change in the state. We set out to examine the party's claims: Is the election machine staying on message, or has it embraced the political realities of Uttar Pradesh?

After Samajwadi Party's disputes being fought in public for months, Akhilesh Yadav has won the party symbol. But his protracted negotiations with his father, and with his alliance partner has delayed his official campaign. This week on Truth vs Hype, we report how the campaign to promote 'Brand Akhilesh' kicked started more than six months ago - some of it visible, and some of it driven by his hidden persuaders.

The notes ban has helped the BJP in civic body elections. But will it prove a winner in the crucial battle for Uttar Pradesh? A month from when it was first announced, public mood appears to be shifting from euphoria to impatience. We travel to eastern UP to examine whether notebandi will be BJP's masterstroke or misstep.

First came the notes ban - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious move to scrap 500 and 1,000-rupee notes to curb corruption and black money - and now, across the country, raids are in progress as crores in new currency is tumbling out. Many are asking how are these cash hoards possible, given that banks and ATMs seem consistently short of cash? This week, we report on the multiple devious ways in which crores of hoarded cash may have found its way back into the system, and how the raids and seizures may only be the tip of the iceberg.