India under Modi: The New Hindu Superpower

Modi’s India: Democracy or Dictatorship? | Investigate Asia India under Modi: The Rise of Fascism in the World's Largest Democracy | Investigate Asia He has been dubbed an ultranationalistic dictator who is dividing the country. His controversial ‘anti-muslim’ citizenship reforms have deprived millions of people of their rights, and any criticism of his government is quickly silenced. But what shaped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political view and ideology? In this film, we gained access to the secret RSS movement, a powerful faction promoting the rise of Hindu nationalism, and investigate what is happening to Gandhi’s dream of a united nation. Formed in the 1920s and inspired by extreme right-wing organizations like the German Nazi Party, the RSS movement promotes India as an exclusively Hindu nation. It runs training camps for children aged 3 to 15, where Formed in the 1920s and inspired by extreme right-wing organizations like the German Nazi party, the RSS movement runs training camps for children where they are taught to fear and hate Muslims. It’s here that most members of the ruling BJP underwent basic training.

China Dissidents | Investigate Asia From harassing relatives back home to disrupting protests and spying on critics in other countries, China is one of the most aggressive governments in targeting dissidents abroad. We follow three dissidents in America as they continue their fight for democracy. Juntao Wang, a primary organiser of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and one of the world’s most renowned Chinese dissidents, has led the Democratic Party of China for more than a decade from its New York headquarters. But, wherever he goes, pro-Beijing mobs often follow. While showing support for Taiwan’s democracy, his group is violently attacked. Artist Weiming Chen, who criticises the Chinese government through his sculptures, has been spied on and had his work burned down. Meanwhile, asylum seeker Chunyan Wang, forced into exile after her house was appropriated by the Chinese government, is constantly surveilled. She takes her protest directly to the Chinese Vice Premier during US-China trade talks. But her attempts to hand him a petition lead to her being arrested and tried for a criminal conviction, facing ten years in prison

Undercover Asia: Maids Enslaved | Investigate Asia ‘Maids Enslaved’ follows human rights activist Rakesh Senger on a mission to save young girls caught in domestic servitude. The film reveals multiple fronts leading to maid exploitation and culminates in the rescue of a trafficked underage girl from an upmarket... ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

Tricked into Surgery: India’s Hysterectomy Scandal | Investigate Asia In India, the average age of women having a hysterectomy is just 34. Many are a lot younger. Thousands of women are being tricked into expensive and unnecessary operations to remove their wombs by unscrupulous private doctors. As well as leaving their families burdened with heavy debt, the operations push the women into early menopause, often leaving them weak and unable to work. In the sugar growing region of Beed, one in three women have had their wombs removed. Many of them, like Prabarvati, went to the doctor with period pain, backaches or bladder infections and were told they had cancer and the only solution was an urgent hysterectomy. She was 26 when she had the operation. Years later, she suffers from crippling pain and appears decades older. Her daughter had to stop going to school and start working the cane plantations to help the family survive. Other women were pushed into having the operation by cane cutting contractors, who are reluctant to hire women who menstruate. There is a belief

Love and Sex in India | Investigate Asia It’s the birthplace of the Kama Sutra and Bollywood romances but in real life, kissing in the street or just talking about sex in India is considered obscene. In a place where 90% of marriages are arranged and the bride’s family must pay a large dowry, young girls are taught that society considers them a burden. Millions of baby girls are abandoned or illegally aborted. A series of brutal rapes and murders have led to claims of a ‘rape culture’ in India. We investigate the role of India’s system of castes and customs and hear from a lawyer who defends parents who have murdered their children in ‘honour’ crimes. We also meet openly gay Prince Manvendra who fights for his love and for his society to become more accepting and educated in a country where homosexuality is illegal. From forbidden love stories to arranged marriages and spectacular weddings where the bride and groom only just met, we follow the epic stories of young couples in India. This documentary first aired 2018 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey | Investigate Asia Is Istanbul still Turkey’s most European city? The only city in the world to straddle two continents, sometimes conservative, sometimes ultra-modern, the city of a thousand faces has thousands of stories to tell. In his 20 years in power, President Erdogan has changed the culture of the country. He has financed dozens of historical TV series, which glorify the Ottoman Empire and are a hit on public television. In the country’s cultural capital, bars and nightclubs are gradually being replaced by oriental pastry stores, shopping malls dedicated to Islamic fashions have emerged and provocative artists are closely monitored. The authorities are focusing on tourism from the Middle East rather than European visitors. But many people refuse to be silenced. Singer Aisu, who is so provocative she has trouble finding radio stations willing to play her songs, now reaches her audience via social media. Meanwhile satirical cartoonist, Tunay, who has seen his friends imprisoned, continues to depict Erdogan as an old sultan. This documentary first aired in July 2024. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬