Mind your Buffalo

Ep 51. Counting Castes: Census & Savarna Anxieties (w. Sumit Samos)

Fri, 16 May 2025 19:05:41 +0000

Caste census announcement is probably one of the biggest policy interventions in independent India-- now that the fog of war is lifting, the incredibly talented Sumit Samos breaks it down for us. Also breaking a few savarna academic egos along the way for fun.

PS. Apologies for the bad network & technical difficulties. This show has no budget for better production levels.
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Link to Sumit & Arjun's article on Caste Census in The Print (mentioned in the episode): https://theprint.in/opinion/caste-enumeration-market-liberty-private-sector-reservations/2626120/

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Ep 50. Meet the Savarnas (Book Preview)

Sun, 04 May 2025 10:29:00 +0000

It is episode 50 of the show. That is a staggering number of hours of hearing mostly me talk to myself. The perfect way to commemorate this milestone is to hear me talk about my book. 'Meet The Savarnas'-- now out for pre-order on Amazon.

Link: https://www.amazon.in/Meet-Savarnas-Millennials-Mediocrity-Everything/dp/0143465716/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EUL6NB7KQNVM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7rSSA2N3Xc2XLynJOOsPHXl1x16tkYmYEGpRqXuUFrA.aFdYUpplisamuN-fA6-gtwAnZJCn7D8vaXGjWmLU_FI&dib_tag=se&keywords=ravikant+kisana&qid=1746354250&sprefix=%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1

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Ep 49. Reservation in Private Universities

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:38:34 +0000

This needs to be said. Caste-based reservation in Indian private universities & higher education institutes is the need of the hour. This is a deep dive on the political economy of higher education & how it intersects with electoral funding of parties, policy-agenda-setting and caste gatekeeping.

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Ep 48. Language, Nation & Delimitation

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:33:23 +0000

Nations, around the world often tend split and fall apart. One of the major reasons for countries breaking is language & ethnic/cultural identities (which circle back to language). East & West Pakistan split over language. India seems to be developing a North-South divide.

Often the seeds of a split are buried years/decades before it actually happens. We may be dangerously flirting with one such moment no. It is not too late yet, but with delimitation looming, the point-of-no-return maybe closer than we think.

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Ep 47. Under Centuries of Dust: Buddha & Mahabodhi (w. Mangesh Dahiwale)

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 15:48:21 +0000

As the Mahabodhi agitation gains momentum in Gaya, Bihar-- we talk to Mangesh Dahiwale, one of the most important Ambedkarite scholars of history Buddhish history and culture. He breaks down for us the historical & civilizational context of Buddha & his Dhamma. The current agitation needs to be seen historically & sociologically, and not as a one-off event.

A true masterclass in Buddhist epistemology!

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Ep 46. The End of the AAP Era

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 15:00:37 +0000

AAP didnt just lose the Delhi elections-- it also brought to close an era (which began in the mid 2000s) where liberal elite savarns had a fantasy that they could politically & economically bring India to greatness. Well that dream is over. Swades, that fantasy of the educated savarnas that they could fix India IF they applied themselves & got hands dirty-- typified most by none other than Kejriwal-- that fantasy also died with the election results. Welcome to the end baby!

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Ep 45. Post-Bahujan: Future of Dalit Assertion (w. Dr Rahul Sonpimple)

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:47:31 +0000

An absolute masterclass by Dr Rahul Sonpimple~ diagnosis of the crossroads where the anti-caste movement finds itself. Babasaheb's name is everywhere, but Ambedkarite parties at their weakest. What happens to the movement? Where does it go? What questions we need to ask?

In this Post-Bahujan Era-- what is the future of Dalit assertion & identity?
A must-watch, agenda-setting episode!

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44. Caste, Law & the University (w. Adv Disha Waderkar)

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:05:21 +0000

Student suicides in top educational institutions have been peaking, there is rampant casteism across Indian universities. Against this backdrop we talk to Advocate Disha Wadekar who moved the Supreme Court on behalf of the mothers of the Dr Payal Tadvi & brother Rohith Vemula. Her interventioned resulted in the Supreme Court asking for data on caste discrimination on Indian campuses.

What this means for SC ST OBC students in Indian institutions, caste discrimination & law-- she unpacks for us in this stellar episode!

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Ep 43. New Year, New India- Grow up or Go Crazy

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:00:35 +0000

Oi happy new year babies, only 2 ways out from here-- grow up OR go crazy.

There is no other way out of here, we cannot keep pretending things are great-- everything is falling apart. We cannot keep pretending Vir Das is talented/hot/funny. We cannot. We must not.

High time children! Grow up OR grow crazier. Lean into the dark side. Be demented, be unhinged. Be interesting. Don't be like Vir Das.

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Ep 42. End of the Soft (savarna) Elite Era

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:11:57 +0000

For the first time in 25 years, Indian urban (savarna) elites are no longer relevant to the discourse in politics, economy, society and culture. From woke hipsters to hustle tech bros-- all soft elites are now irrelevant.

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Ep 41. Sad, Singles, Savarna Diwali

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 16:24:03 +0000

It's that beautiful time of the year when sad, single, savarna millennials will get together for the 'Diwali Party' while savarna gen Z monsters will take a break from demanding action & accountability to return home from Sonepat colleges to take selfies in ethnic wear with their bigoted, fascist-minded parents ~and all this playing out to the tune of 'Chaiyaa Chaiyaa' in the background. Truly a blessed time!

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Ep 40. Oldplay, Ladoos & Overwork Deaths

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 09:03:22 +0000

Coldplay concert tickets are unavailable and elite savarns are very very angry about it. Ladoos at Tirupati have been found to be tainted and a young woman died of overwork at E&Y. An action packed episode.

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Ep 39. Pure Veg Social Breakdown

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:34:36 +0000

Folks are "accidentally" killing people on "suspicion" of transporting beef, an old uncle is bullied by dudes on a moving train, elite schools are banning non-veg tiffin boxes & kids think Kalki 2898 AD is based on history-- in the middle of this social breakdown, your therapist asks you to ground yourself by touching grass.

Welcome to hell!

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Ep 38. Creamy Castes

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 18:48:20 +0000

Our esteemed Lordships at the Supreme Court has spoken. SC/ST "creamy" layer should be skimmed they have suggested helpfully. An utterly, butterly episode deliciously unpacking the judgement on SC ST subcategorizing & privilege.

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Ep 37. The Trumpire Strikes Back

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 19:33:08 +0000

A deep dive on US 'Empire' from Gramsci, Adorno, Chomsky & Howard Zinn with special mentions to Kurt Vonnegut & Malcolm X ~ the Buffalo puts on his US history/politics "hat" literally & figuratively & breaks down Trump's rise, Biden's descent, Kamala aunty stepping up.
Is this the collapse into 'big' evil or have we seen that already under smoother (war) criminals like Obama, Clinton & Bush.

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Ep 36. Who broke our cities?

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 15:48:20 +0000

Airports are falling apart, streets are flooded, air is unbreathable, its so hot that ACs are blowing up-- who is responsible for this? who created this mess?

PS. stop blaming the politicians & enjoy the IPA!

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Ep 35. Indian Education: Everything is Broken

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 18:02:22 +0000

From NEET & UGC NET, to coaching class mafia, to private universities erasing caste-based affirmative action, to Not-Found-Suitable scams, to student suicides, to Teach for India, to NCERT tweaks, to changing SC/ST overseas scholarship policies, to everything.. its all broken.

Fixing the Indian education system is nobody's priority.

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Ep 34. Voting for Thrones (Voting Day Special)

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:35:10 +0000

Reactions to the Lok Sabha 2024 election results. I talk in particular of UP, Bihar, Bengal, Telangana mainly & the missed opportunities of INDIA in MP, Odisha, etc. I also talk of the future of BSP, VBA & Ambedkarite leaders like Azad in era of "savarna social justice politics" & potential future of Modi-Shah & BJP.

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Ep 33. The ripped social fabric of small-town India (w. Annie Zaidi)

Sun, 26 May 2024 13:06:56 +0000

as Lok Sabha elections wind down, amid talk of seat numbers & voter percentages, we try to look at the softer idea of social fabric & civility which has broken down across small-towns, especially in north India.

Annie Zaidi, one of my favorite contemporary writers, shares some of her insights & experiences about what it means to be Muslim, what it means to feeling belonging in a society that has changed in ways that votes cannot fix.

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Ep 32- My Life is a Dump

Sat, 18 May 2024 11:47:59 +0000

a peak Buffalo rant, full of bitterness & bile. exercise caution.

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Ep 31- No 400 paar (Election Special)

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 10:20:55 +0000

Bold prediction, not only is BJP not getting 400 seats. They will struggle to make a govt. Remember you heard it first here.
Welcome to an "Election Special" where the Buffalo finally reveals his nerdy deep dive interest in electoral politics-- numbers, states, votes & elections.

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Ep 30 - Comedy is Serious Business (w. Ravi Gaikwad)

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:47:41 +0000

One of my favorite funny men, Ravi Gaikwad joins in to shoot the breeze about IPL uncles, comedy, caste & the 'Blue Material' lineup which is on the verge of exploding onto the mainstream face.

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Ep 29- Make History Great Again (w. Dr Ruchika Sharma)

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 18:16:19 +0000

The words 'History Professor' and 'Viral'/'Relevant' have never been used in the same context. Before Dr. Ruchika that is. Her YouTube channel 'Eyeshadow & Etihaas with Dr. Ruchika Sharma' has been stirring up trouble on Twitter everyday now. So of course, I had to talk to her to find out just how the hell does one manage to educate, antagonize and create an audience through history... all the while dishing out killer eyeshadows.

LINKS:

Eyeshadow & Etihaas with Dr. Ruchika Sharma: https://www.youtube.com/@eyeshadowetihaaswithruchika

Buffalo Intellectual Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BuffaloIntellectual

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Ep 28- The Era of Boring Basic People

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 04:52:19 +0000

It is the era of being boring & basic. Embrace it. Don't try to be interesting, its not worth it. Let's binge watch FRIENDS again, quote Joey and make it our wole personality.

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Ep 27- The Battle for Ashoka

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 18:59:58 +0000

Ashoka University is in the news. There is a demand for caste-based reservations in the heart of the privileged empire. The Buffalo brings you a dispatch from the frontlines!

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Ep 26- Name is Bond. Electoral Bond.

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:34:35 +0000

Electoral Bond season is here. All the straight laced-sweet-tax paying English speaking citizens are clutching their pearls. Oh my god there is KO-RUP-SHUN in India? Hai Allah! Hai Tauba!

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Ep 25- Ambanipalooza

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:14:48 +0000

Ambani ki Shaadi, the Emperor's party has taken over the news and life. All us plebs are staring at the spectacle scratching our heads, only folks not confused or dismayed are the Banias-- who are never fazed by anything.

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Ep 24- Live-ins Are Bad!

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 19:14:38 +0000

The Buffalo reflects on the current happenings: Ram Mandir ceremony review, Live-in Relationships & who else but everyone's favorite uncle Rajdeep Sardesai

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Ep 23- The Bogus Idea of India

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:02:18 +0000

on the Ram Mandir inauguration-- a freewheeling unhinged rant on the "Idea of India" which Savarna liberals keep trotting out-- an episode most likely to get the Buffalo arrested.

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Ep 22- Is this a book review?

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:50:34 +0000

The Buffalo starts trying to review a book, goes on an epic rant on Savarna education system, Chetan Bhagat, cultural performativity, mediocrity of Savarna writing-- ends up being strangely existentially vulnerable at the close. A strange episode.

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Ep 21- The Archie-fied Gen Z

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:04:20 +0000

The Buffalo has a guest, Rohitha joins in to unpack the cultural moment & politics behind 'The Archies' & Savarna Gen Z in particular.

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Ep 20 - Animal Psychology

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 10:45:48 +0000

There has been a film called 'Animal' which was not about animals but men's anger issues. I get the super cool pyschology professor Dr. Itisha, to break down the psychology of masculine anger, toxic masculinity & hyper violence.

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Ep 19- The Era of the Orry

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:54:32 +0000

Social justice is dead. It is the era of Orry. The Buffalo calls out the Savarna elite Gen Z. Don't complain. Accept your fate & die quietly!

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Ep 18 - Please Bomb Us

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:23:40 +0000

Buffalo rants on Garba, Gaza & the Goons at the cricket World Cup, and wonders if the solution to it all is just good old fashioned bombing.

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Ep17 - You cant touch Manjeet Sarkar

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 05:53:23 +0000

We have a guest. Talented comedian Manjeet Sarkar explains how as 2nd gen refugee Dalit from Bengal who grew up in rural Bastar, do you become a comic. His love for Dave Chappelle & the revelation that he has never been on Tinder.

Do listen to the show & follow his upcoming 'Untouchable' tour & buy tickets!

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Ep 16- Humans of "I Will Pay"1

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 18:21:11 +0000

The Buffalo is overworked & trains the guns on the 'Humans of Bombay' controversy & the Savarna fascination with vintage cars in Bombay.

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Ep 15- Airports Be Shining

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 02:00:33 +0000

The world is ending but the Airports are shining so people are happy. The Buffalo revisits the horror that was Venkatesh Prasad bowling in the 90s, Rajdeep Sardesai is back with his boomer takes & we discuss Md Zubair's therapists' trauma. An all around banger episode!

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Episode 14- "Dont be so Negative"

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:42:57 +0000

Buffalo wonders what the Chandrayaan benefits are, while pondering over the crumbling education system. We take a moment to acknowledge the hot mess that is Gen Z.

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Ep 13- Sonepat Surrender (redux)

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:57:15 +0000

There is revolution brewing in Sonepat. Fascism better watch out. A week of e-lafdas, Savarna queen showrunners of Made in Heaven deny Yashica Dutt. The Buffalo munches through it all!

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Episode 13-Revolution in Sonepat

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 19:51:21 +0000

There is revolution brewing in Sonepat. Fascism watch out. A week of e-lafdas, across Twitter, Instagram & OTT series. The Buffalo rampages through as usual.

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Episode 12- Have you BarbenHeimered?

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 18:27:23 +0000

The Buffalo is haunted by Barbenheimer insta stories & the sad tears of elite housing society savarnas Aunties in Gurgaon.

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Episode 11- Are you not Entertained?

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:01:58 +0000

The Buffalo is risking his career and sanity by taking on legions of haters including Bengali cultural chauvinists, savarna feminists & Swifties. Also Kunal Kamra maybe a long lost brother #FatBaldUncleEnergy

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Episode- 10 - 2000 khwaishein aisi

Thu, 25 May 2023 19:13:49 +0000

The buffalo has had enough about Sudhir Mishra & Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi fandom. Enough ok. Also gets nostalgic about the dearly departed Rs 2000 note. What a champ!

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Episode 9 - Many Talents of Anurag Minus Verma

Mon, 01 May 2023 07:50:29 +0000

Buffalo meets Anurag Minus Verma- peak satirist & amazing podcaster & perhaps the best contemporary cultural commentator of urban absurdities. He talks to us about his relationship with his audiences, his writing aspirations, poetry and stories, shares anecdotes from "Writer's Lab" scams & ofcourse his love for coffee.

Jump to 9.00 min mark for Anurag's interview. There is some housekeeping before that.

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Episode 8 - Audience topics, Buffalo's rants

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 07:03:35 +0000

Buffalo wants audience engagement. The good people from Instagram sent in lots of questions & topics, so we have a mixed bag of an episode that veers from Bania masculinity to Savarna feminism to academia & development sector caste politics to caste and food.

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Episode 7 - Social Influencer No 1

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:58:47 +0000

The Buffalo has a guest this time, failed 'Dance India Dance' contestant & someone who has done nothing of note in life-- Varnika; together the losers reflect upon their true loser icons-- the Social Media Influencers on Instagram

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Episode 6 - Oscar, Art aur Aukaat

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:32:21 +0000

Musings on what constitutes art & for whom in a caste-society where labor is not just segregated, but also invisibilized. The buffalo belches on savarna struggle stories & their artistic journey to mediocrity.

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Episode 5 - Institutes of Intentional Trauma

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 10:25:20 +0000

Been a heavy few weeks, tragedy all around. The buffalo goes off on the indifference to casteism in institutions of higher learning, and tries to process what the Hathras verdict could mean for us all.

#JusticeforManisha
#JusticeforDarshan

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Episode 4 - Valentine's Day Special

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:31:44 +0000

The Buffalo ruminates about love & dating within a caste society-- but cant help ranting about savarna art & artistic mediocrity first, you know how it goes.

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Episode 3 - Bharat Jodo starring Pathaan

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:54:03 +0000

Fascism has been ended by YRF movie & a 4th generation dynast has been goaded by peer pressure into a walkathon - serious scenes from a serious society, no jokes.

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Episode 2- Stages of Doomer Hell

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 09:13:34 +0000

Introspection on stages of social media hell & an unrestrained raging rant against MBA/techie dudebros who've doomed us all.

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Episode 1- Small social lives of Savarnas

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 09:04:55 +0000

An introduction to the podcast format & my favorite topic- the small social lives of elite savarnas in India

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