welcome to kerala. nearly 970 million people will go to the polls over six weeks. now, this week we've been to two states. bihar and kerala to ask people what they want from the leaders that they will be electing. let's have a look at what we have on the programme. women make up almost half of the electorate. a71 million. only 15% stop will stand in the queue at 6am and on our way back, we will encourage. each boat is very — back, we will encourage. each boat is very important - back, we will encourage. each boat is very important for - back, we will encourage. each boat is very important for us. | boat is very important for us. if one person doesn't vote then their voice will not be represented. your responsibility as a citizen of india. at responsibility as a citizen of india. �* , . 3 z: india. a staggering 18.3 million first-time - india. a staggering 18.3| million first-time voters india. a staggering 18.3 - million first-time voters are million first—time voters are eligible to vote in these

elections.— eligible to vote in these elections. . . elections. this is where we start to form _ elections. this is where we start to form our _ elections. this is where we start to form our political l start to form our political opinions. we can actually work for the first time and see how it is going to unfold.— it is going to unfold. what view is the _ it is going to unfold. what view is the most - it is going to unfold. whatl view is the most important it is going to unfold. what. view is the most important in —— election issue. view is the most important in -- election issue.— -- election issue. there is some kind _ -- election issue. there is some kind of _ -- election issue. there is some kind of detector - -- election issue. there is| some kind of detector ship -- election issue. there is - some kind of detector ship that is coming — some kind of detector ship that is coming around in the country _ is coming around in the country. that cannot be done. look_ country. that cannot be done. look at — country. that cannot be done. look at these empty beds. this entire building was meant to be a trauma centre but the operating theatre, locked. india cosmic healthcare was stretched to the limits. we ask how important healthcare is in this election. irate how important healthcare is in this election.— this election. we will keep all of this in mind _ this election. we will keep all of this in mind when - this election. we will keep all of this in mind when we - this election. we will keep all of this in mind when we are i of this in mind when we are voting. whichever political party works on this will get our vote. 28 party works on this will get our vote-— party works on this will get our vote. 28 million people rel on our vote. 28 million people rely on fishing _ our vote. 28 million people rely on fishing but - our vote. 28 million people rely on fishing but catches | our vote. 28 million people i rely on fishing but catches are

dwindling. rely on fishing but catches are dwindling-— rely on fishing but catches are dwindlinu. ., , ., , ., , dwindling. lots of promises are made during — dwindling. lots of promises are made during elections - dwindling. lots of promises are made during elections but - made during elections but no—one ensures our daily me —— daily needs are met. i no-one ensures our daily me -- daily needs are met.— daily needs are met. i have one daily needs are met. i have gone for — daily needs are met. i have gone for a _ daily needs are met. i have gone for a walk— daily needs are met. i have gone for a walk in - daily needs are met. i have gone for a walk in my - daily needs are met. i have gone for a walk in my hoteli daily needs are met. i have - gone for a walk in my hotel and come with me, i have seen a really amazing thing. this entire enclosure is completely dedicated to women. i thought what better place to ask women what better place to ask women what issues matter to them in this election.— this election. people have so many demands _ this election. people have so many demands from - this election. people have so many demands from the - many demands from the government but do they fulfil those? they don't. they only care about the rich, not the pooh care about the rich, not the poor. progress must be made for everyone. poor. progress must be made for eve one. ., ._ poor. progress must be made for everyone-— everyone. even today society tells us what _ everyone. even today society tells us what to _ everyone. even today society tells us what to wear. - everyone. even today society tells us what to wear. that i everyone. even today society l tells us what to wear. that net attitude — tells us what to wear. that net attitude needs to change. welcome to this is india. i'm samira hussain and i am talking

elections. i'm in the southern state of kerala, famous for its network of lakes and lagoons. it has one of the best healthcare systems in the country and one of the highest literacy rates. it is from this picturesque seaside state that we kick off our election coverage. take a look at this. some 960 million voters are eligible to cast their ballot which takes place in seven phasesin which takes place in seven phases in just over six weeks. that is the population of the us, russia, japan, brazil, france and britain and since we are still a bit short, let's throw belgium into the mix. nearly 1.5 million polling booths have been set up across the country. 15 million polling officials and security staff will be needed to run them. 5.5 million electronic voting machines will be used to elect the sa?) mps. machines will be used to elect the 5a3 mps. results will be

announced on the fourth of june. in announced on the fourth of june. .., . announced on the fourth of june. , ,., announced on the fourth of june. ., �* ., june. in case you haven't had enou:h june. in case you haven't had enough of — june. in case you haven't had enough of numbers, - june. in case you haven't had enough of numbers, check. june. in case you haven't had i enough of numbers, check this one out. ~ ., . enough of numbers, check this one out. a, ., 1k enough of numbers, check this one out. a, ., 'j~ ., one out. more than 18 million new first-time _ one out. more than 18 million new first-time voters - one out. more than 18 million new first-time voters are - new first—time voters are heading to the polls, so, what other issues that to them? —— what are the issues. this is really delicious. are you talking with your friends about the election and what are you guys talking about? its, you guys talking about? decrease in the constitutional rights of indian people. the main thing _ rights of indian people. the main thing facing _ rights of indian people. the main thing facing this election is confusion. this is my first vote — is confusion. this is my first vote so— is confusion. this is my first vote so i_ is confusion. this is my first vote so i don't want to waste that— vote so i don't want to waste that by— vote so i don't want to waste that by giving it... vote so i don't want to waste that by giving it. . ._ that by giving it... everyone is working — that by giving it... everyone is working for _ that by giving it... everyone is working for their - that by giving it... everyone is working for their own - is working for their own benefit _ is working for their own benefit-— is working for their own benefit. ~ . , , .,

benefit. what is something you want to see _ benefit. what is something you want to see changed _ benefit. what is something you want to see changed in - benefit. what is something you want to see changed in your . want to see changed in your country? i want to see changed in your country?— country? i think in india we have very _ country? i think in india we have very double _ country? i think in india we have very double standard | have very double standard distribution. one side you see there are very good cities and rich people and driving in their fancy cars and in the same fancy city while we're at the traffic signal we see poor kids coming. the traffic signal we see poor kids coming-— the traffic signal we see poor kids coming. due to the lack of financial structure, . .. - kids coming. due to the lack of financial structure, . .. voting i financial structure, . .. voting is a constitutional _ financial structure, . .. voting is a constitutional right - financial structure, . .. voting is a constitutional right for l is a constitutional right for me — is a constitutional right for me i_ is a constitutional right for me i don't _ is a constitutional right for me. i don't want - is a constitutional right for me. i don't want to - is a constitutional right for me. i don't want to race . is a constitutional right fori me. i don't want to race —— waste — me. i don't want to race —— waste that _ me. i don't want to race —— waste that right. _ me. i don't want to race -- waste that right.— me. i don't want to race -- waste that right. and feeling these days — waste that right. and feeling these days we _ waste that right. and feeling these days we start - waste that right. and feeling these days we start to - waste that right. and feeling these days we start to form | waste that right. and feeling i these days we start to form our political opinions. we can actually vote for the first time right now and see how it is going to unfold so that is very exciting. what view is the most important

election issue.— election issue. india lacks infrastructure _ election issue. india lacks infrastructure on - election issue. india lacks infrastructure on a - election issue. india lacks infrastructure on a huge l infrastructure on a huge ground. there have been times that i was sexually harassed the government should provide public transport where women can feel safe.— public transport where women can feel safe. the government can feel safe. the government can provide — can feel safe. the government can provide support _ can feel safe. the government can provide support for - can feel safe. the government| can provide support for women and students, i think also the healthcare sector need more attention. it is very, very bad in our— attention. it is very, very bad in our country.— attention. it is very, very bad in our country. the ma'or flaw we saw was in i in our country. the ma'or flaw we saw was in a h in our country. the major flaw we saw was in a medical- we saw was in a medical healthcare _ we saw was in a medical. healthcare infrastructure. i would _ healthcare infrastructure. i would actually _ healthcare infrastructure. i would actually expect - healthcare infrastructure. i- would actually expect whichever party _ would actually expect whichever partv gets — would actually expect whichever party gets elected _ would actually expect whichever party gets elected to _ party gets elected to particularly - party gets elected to particularly think- party gets elected toj particularly think and party gets elected to - particularly think and work on that— particularly think and work on that sector~ _ particularly think and work on that sector. if— particularly think and work on that sector.— particularly think and work on that sector. if you go to small villaues that sector. if you go to small villages and — that sector. if you go to small villages and people _ that sector. if you go to small villages and people have - that sector. if you go to small villages and people have to i villages and people have to travel a lot to get better treatment and cluster government, hospitals are not so much developed.- government, hospitals are not so much developed. according to the population. _ so much developed. according to the population, the _ so much developed. according to the population, the health - so much developed. according to the population, the health that i the population, the health that sector, — the population, the health that sector, the infrastructure, the number— sector, the infrastructure, the number of— sector, the infrastructure, the number of people that are homeless in our country, the number— homeless in our country, the number of— homeless in our country, the number of people who don't eat at night — number of people who don't eat at night when they go to sleep.

it is at night when they go to sleep. it isjust— at night when they go to sleep. it isjust a — at night when they go to sleep. it isjust a lot more and i think— it isjust a lot more and i think that should be addressed first _ think that should be addressed first. there is some kind of dictatorship that is going around _ dictatorship that is going around the country. promotion ofjust— around the country. promotion ofiust one _ around the country. promotion ofjust one religion so that should _ ofjust one religion so that should not be done.- ofjust one religion so that should not be done. does anyone else feel like _ should not be done. does anyone else feel like that? _ should not be done. does anyone else feel like that? having - should not be done. does anyone else feel like that? having a - else feel like that? having a clash between _ else feel like that? having a clash between two - else feel like that? having a - clash between two communities, it is going to be really messy. political parties should not support— political parties should not support any particular religion. we all have the right to profess our religion, our culture, _ to profess our religion, our culture, and we should not get influenced by anybody else. we need somebody who can spread peace _ need somebody who can spread peace and — need somebody who can spread peace and make _ need somebody who can spread peace and make india _ need somebody who can spread peace and make india unite - peace and make india unite again _ peace and make india unite aaain. peace and make india unite aain. ., ., , peace and make india unite aaain. ., . , ., again. so who are they voting for? leader _ again. so who are they voting for? leader of _ again. so who are they voting for? leader of the _ again. so who are they voting for? leader of the ruling - again. so who are they voting | for? leader of the ruling party the bjp and arranger moody huy �*s campaigning as a third as prime minister and then there is gandhi who has been leading the charge for the indian national congress. the party in power for the bjp kicked national congress. the party in powerfor the bjp kicked them out. interestingly, india was

one of the first countries to have a female prime minister as early as the 1960s. women make up early as the 1960s. women make up nearly a half of all eligible voters and in the last election voter turnout among women was equal to that of men. they are an absolute power house and political parties, all of them, are actually —— actively trying to woo them. i spent the day with a group of women who take their civic duty devoted seriously and they have been pounding the pavement in the suburb to make sure women have their voices heard. on a mission to get everyone in the community, especially women, to cast their ballot.— cast their ballot. they are makin: cast their ballot. they are making sure _ cast their ballot. they are making sure id _ cast their ballot. they are making sure id cards - cast their ballot. they are making sure id cards are | cast their ballot. they are l making sure id cards are in hand and up—to—date. brute making sure id cards are in hand and up-to-date. we will go stand in the _ hand and up-to-date. we will go stand in the queue _ hand and up-to-date. we will go stand in the queue at _

hand and up-to-date. we will go stand in the queue at 6am - hand and up-to-date. we will go stand in the queue at 6am and i stand in the queue at 6am and on our— stand in the queue at 6am and on our way— stand in the queue at 6am and on our way back from voting we will encourage others, too. that — will encourage others, too. that is— will encourage others, too. that is what you need to do. vote — that is what you need to do. vote and _ that is what you need to do. vote and others _ that is what you need to do. vote and others vote, - that is what you need to do. vote and others vote, too. i that is what you need to do. i vote and others vote, too. for more than _ vote and others vote, too. for more than a — vote and others vote, too. for more than a month _ vote and others vote, too. more than a month now vote and others vote, toofl more than a month now these women have been going door—to—door in their community, encouraging people to get out and vote in these elections and that is despite the intense heat. the country is in the middle of the heatwave right now, it is a2 celsius. the oppressive heat will not deter these women. firm believers in their civic duty to vote. firm believers in their civic du to vote. ~ ,, ~ duty to vote. translation: each boat is very _ duty to vote. translation: each boat is very important _ duty to vote. translation: each boat is very important for - duty to vote. translation: each boat is very important for us - boat is very important for us stop if one person doesn't vote then their voice will not be represented. that is why we take it upon ourselves to educate all women that voting is your duty, your responsibility as a citizen of india. we are doing this to get as many women out to vote as

possible. as many women out to vote as ossible. as many women out to vote as possible-— possible. the democratic process _ possible. the democratic process is _ possible. the democratic process is a _ possible. the democratic process is a festive - possible. the democratic - process is a festive occasion, full of colour and a belief that every vote matters. india with its 1.2 billion people is incredibly diverse and what motivates people to vote differs from state to state. in many countries, people are really concerned about their access to healthca re stop really concerned about their access to healthcare stop three years ago the covid pandemic pushed india's healthcare system beyond capacity. then the pandemic made healthcare apart of the political discourse but now in this first general election since the pandemic healthcare doesn't pandemic healthca re doesn't seem pandemic healthcare doesn't seem to be a big issue on the campaign trail. this story starts in bihar. one of the country's poorest states.

chanting. more than 600 days of protesting and still no change. blocking bass blocking traffic, still desperate to be heard. even after the deadly pandemic, the state of healthcare in this part of rural bihar remains in a shambles.— part of rural bihar remains in a shambles. ~ ,, ~ ., a shambles. translation: covid was so bad _ a shambles. translation: covid was so bad that _ a shambles. translation: covid was so bad that people _ a shambles. translation: covid was so bad that people were - was so bad that people were dying like stray dogs. there were no facilities. private doctors had fled stop we were told to take the patient home stop there was no treatment available. stop there was no treatment available-— available. three years ago, covid brought _ available. three years ago, covid brought the - available. three years ago, covid brought the world - available. three years ago, covid brought the world to | available. three years ago, i covid brought the world to its knees. india's health system was pushed way beyond capacity. an unimaginable number of dead. this man's grief is only bearable when praying. he blames himself for the death.

she was my wife, protecting her was my responsibility. what can i say if a doctor saw her, if she had oxygen, she wouldn't have died. this is my trauma. the feeling here is that no lessons were learned post covid. take a look at these empty, dusty beds stop this entire building was meant to be a trauma centre but, look, the operating theatre... locked. over here, x—ray machine area, also locked. it is not being working as a trauma centre since it was built in 200a. in fact, right now it is being used partly for primary healthcare. move from the north to india's southern states and not even kerala with its superior healthcare was spared the wrath of covid. since the pandemic, this rural community health centre has made significant upgrades. the new

isolation ward, and revamped outpatient clinic and noticeable difference. translation: the facilities in the centre a good but they are usually unavailable and this needs to be sorted out. the waitin: needs to be sorted out. the waiting times _ needs to be sorted out. the waiting times have - needs to be sorted out. the waiting times have come down drastically. otherfacilities are also. the infrastructure has — are also. the infrastructure has also _ are also. the infrastructure has also improved.- are also. the infrastructure has also improved. such as the india has also improved. such as the india where _ has also improved. such as the india where parts _ has also improved. such as the india where parts of— has also improved. such as the india where parts of the - india where parts of the country able to rebuild while others could not. translation: we will keep _ others could not. translation: we will keep all— others could not. translation: we will keep all of— others could not. translation: we will keep all of this _ others could not. translation: we will keep all of this in - we will keep all of this in mind when we are voting stop whichever political party works on this will get our vote. the pandemic— on this will get our vote. the pandemic brought _ on this will get our vote. the pandemic brought the dire state of healthcare into the spotlight. even after its devastating impact, healthcare devastating impact, healthca re remains devastating impact, healthcare remains absent as a major issue on the campaign trail. low—wage

workers make up the backbone of the indian economy. and a voting population but it is a group that we rarely hear from stop at about 28 million people rely on fishing for their livelihood. recently prime minister namadgi modi stood up controversy when he criticised someone for eating fish during a nine—day hindu festival. but forfishermen, they are a nine—day hindu festival. but for fishermen, they are far more concerned with how they will make a living as fishing catches dwindle. an intricate dance keeping to a bit. pulling in a catch. the setting is serene, the work is growing. for most of these men, fishing is all they know. all you feel hear our calluses. his entire hand is very, very rough stop

translation: we hardly meet our daily needs. translation: we hardly meet our dail needs. . translation: we hardly meet our dail needs. , ., . daily needs. there is not much rofit. daily needs. there is not much profit- we _ daily needs. there is not much profit. we don't _ daily needs. there is not much profit. we don't know - daily needs. there is not much profit. we don't know any - daily needs. there is not much | profit. we don't know any other work. the earnings are not consistent. we have to use the money we make from one day to meet ends meet for a week sometimes. shill meet ends meet for a week sometimes-— meet ends meet for a week sometimes. all that effort for not a lot of — sometimes. all that effort for not a lot of reward. _ sometimes. all that effort for not a lot of reward. it - sometimes. all that effort for not a lot of reward. it is - not a lot of reward. it is becoming harder and harder to make a living. leaving these men worried about their future. these men are wrapping up their nets for the day. they were out since 5:30am and caught about $35 worth of fish and that is really not a lot when you consider that they have to divided amongst 18 different people. these men have no option but to sell what they catch. fishing is a big industry for the state but the fishermen feel forgotten. translation: no government has

issued compensation for our losses. we feel neglected. lots of promises are made during elections but no—one has ensured our daily needs are met. ., .. , ensured our daily needs are met. ., , ., ., ensured our daily needs are met. ., ., , . met. politically aware but much more conservative _ met. politically aware but much more conservative how- met. politically aware but much more conservative how much i met. politically aware but much l more conservative how much fish they will catch tomorrow. india has long had religious divisions that critics say that the fault lines have deepened in the decades since the bgp came to power. in early bjp promise was to rebuild the temple dedicated to the hindu god in the northern city. the temple replaced the 16th century mosque, torn down by hindu mobs in 1992. bucking riots in nearly 2000 people died. —— bjp. the new temple was with much fanfare by mr modi injanuary. a secular

state inaugurating a temple lead to critics to claim that india is becoming a hindu state and minorities are increasingly fearful for and minorities are increasingly fearfulfor their and minorities are increasingly fearful for their place and minorities are increasingly fearfulfor their place in fearful for their place in their own country. the government says they respect minority rights. at a political rally last week, the ranger modi called muslims infiltrators who would take people's wealth is here —— if his opponents came to power. the opposition accused him of hate speech. that divisive language does not define all of india. ifound one streetcorner that tells a different story. we were driving around the city and we stopped when we saw this hindu temple. it struck us. why did it strike us? take a look what is just be high did it strike us? take a look what isjust be high —— just beside it. a mosque. and evening prayers are taking place right now. but it doesn't stop there. take a walk with me. you can still see the mosque and the temple behind me but if you look overjust this

way, you see that there is actually a church here too. it is not uncommon in india to see a mosque, temple and a church all the same area but here, a busy intersection in the middle of the city make it almost feels like these buildings are making a statement. so we decided that we wanted to speak to some of the people around here. but what were they make of all of this?— of all of this? when you see all of these _ of all of this? when you see all of these places - of all of this? when you see all of these places of - of all of this? when you see | all of these places of worship altogether, what do you think? unity and diversity. people in different— unity and diversity. people in different culture, all mixing and — different culture, all mixing and living together. is different culture, all mixing and living together. is a different culture, all mixing and living together. is a good or bad? good, _ and living together. is a good or bad? good, it _ and living together. is a good or bad? good, it is _ and living together. is a good or bad? good, it is good i or bad? good, it is good because _ or bad? good, it is good because l _ or bad? good, it is good because i think - or bad? good, it is good because i think it - or bad? good, it is good because i think it is i or bad? good, it is good l because i think it is good. translation: there are issues and really you can see some minor— and really you can see some minor turbulence. and really you can see some minorturbulence. but and really you can see some minor turbulence. but there is not affecting the harmony among these _ not affecting the harmony among these three communities. so if these three communities. so if the people understand the value of disharmony the state of kerala _

of disharmony the state of kerala will flourish. translation: india is a democratic country which values all religions. all these three religions are treated equally by the country and that is why you see it set up like this. the two main contenders for prime minister are men and if you look at india's parliament today, less than 15% of members are women. so that got me thinking about what women want from their elected leaders and why representation matters. all questions i pondered as i was out on my morning run. i have come for a run at a parkjust across the road from my hotel. come with me. i have seen the most incredible thing stop this entire enclosure is full of exercise equipment and it is completely dedicated to women. so i thought what better place to ask women what issues mattered to them in this

election.

throughout this programme we have been speaking to people from different states and different backgrounds, really showcasing the length and breadth of india. staying away from the usual political scenes, speaking directly to the people about the issues that matter. we hope that you've enjoyed watching as much as we've enjoyed ringing you these stories. this is india. hey, iam hey, i am julia with a catch up. tonight the return of gavin and stacey, climate controversy and stacey, climate controversy and a storm the community. we

sat with a local election. boats are still rolling in for counsellors, mayors and —— votes. overall it has been a big —— conservatives have lost lots of counsellors. ii big -- conservatives have lost lots of counsellors.— lots of counsellors. if this was a complete _ lots of counsellors. if this was a complete -- - lots of counsellors. if this i was a complete -- popularity was a complete —— popularity contest between labour and the conservatives, labour are the winners here. the conservatives have lost half the seat so far. still some key results to come in including london mayor but right now they will be lots of conservative mps nervous about their seats at the next election. their seats at the next election-— their seats at the next election. �* y., their seats at the next election. �* , election. and you can get loads more on the — election. and you can get loads more on the bbc _ election. and you can get loads more on the bbc news - election. and you can get loads more on the bbc news app i election. and you can get loads more on the bbc news app and website. some other stories now. a teenager has been found guilty of murdering 15—year—old alfie lewis in leeds stop alfie was stabbed with a kitchen life is a kitchen knife last november and his killer cannot be named because of his age. the government has been defeated in court for a second

time for not doing enough to meet climate targets. the government had defended its approach though. and big news forfriends of gavin approach though. and big news for friends of gavin and stacey. creators james corden and rhys stacey. creators james corden and rhstones announced on instagram there will be one final episode that will air on christmas day on bbc and we are just asking one thing... we will leave you with ten seconds of murky fc. that is the new space created by stormzy in croydon. it offers a community for teens and young adults with a recording studio, state—of—the—art gaming room and a full—sized football pitch. that is you all caught up pitch. that is you all caught up now. have a great weekend. hello there. the weather at this time of the year really can be very fickle, as we've seen over the past week, and during the bank holiday weekend, it's going to be a mixture, really, where there'll be some sunshine at times.

there'll also be some heavy showers. it could be quite warm but we're not going to reach the high temperatures that we've seen in the past few days. take you back to thursday and all four home nations had their warmest day of the year and we maintain those sort of temperatures in western scotland and northern ireland on friday. but for suffolk and north wales, it was much colder because of cloud and rain. that's moving its way a little bit further north but we've got some more rain to come on saturday across northern ireland. some heavy showers pushing across scotland may turn a bit drier in north wales and northern england but still a lot of cloud. to the south, though, we'll see some sunshine after a chilly start. a few showers developing in the south east of england. but in the sunshine across midlands, southern england, south wales, east anglia, it's going to be a warm day —16, 17 degrees. we could reach 19 in the northwest of scotland before those heavy showers arrive. there's a few more showers, though, to come in scotland and northern ireland, perhaps the far north of england. should be a bit brighter but a bit of sunshine will trigger some thunderstorms. the odd shower across england and wales and a bit of rain coming into the far southwest. that's keeping temperatures a little bit lower here. but otherwise, widely,

temperatures are going to be a reasonable 16—18 degrees on sunday afternoon. now, there is a bit of rain in the southwest — it's on that weather front there, an area of low pressure. not really much wind to move things on at all. there's a bit of uncertainty as to how far north that showery rain could get but it's pushing a little further north into england and wales. there'll be some sunshine but we're also going to trigger some more of these slow—moving, heavy, thundery showers, particularly in scotland. and temperature—wise on monday afternoon for the bank holiday, typically 16 or 17 degrees. now, after the bank holiday, the weather is going to change, wouldn't you know it? and it's going to get a lot drier because that area of low pressure moves away and this area of high pressure will build in. now, around the top of it next week, we could well see a bit of rain towards northwestern areas of the uk but on the whole, it is looking like it's going to get dry after monday. there'll be more in the way of sunshine around as well and if anything, those temperatures are going to be rising, getting into the low 20s in many places later in the week.

live from washington, this is a bbc news special report on us campus protests. protests over the war in gaza have spread to us universities, threatening to disrupt exams and commencements, as more than 2,000 people have been arrested on aa campuses. but at a small number of universities, the anti—war demonstrations end as a few major schools reach deals with their students to review

their investments in israel. i'm somaskanda, thanks for joining us. —— i'm sumi somaskanda. protests on college campuses across the us have spread rapidly over the past two weeks. columbia university became the epicentre of protests after what had been a small gathering on campus grew rapidly in size on april 18. then a pro—palestinian demonstration at yale university — in connecticut — began in earnest on the 22nd of april. a day later, an anti—war protest camp was built at new york university, in manhattan. demonstrations then moved from the northeast to california state polytechnic university, then next to the university of southern california. around the same time, nearly a week ago, protests were also beginning at the university of texas, in austin. in total, there have been demonstrations at least 137 colleges and universities nationwide including in georgia, louisiana, virginia, florida, north carolina — and other locations — shown here on the map.

and for the thousands of protesters across