“I am a reporter first when I write a book, and my aim is to tell stories with accuracy and without fear” Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai delves into his recently released book, ‘2024: The Election That Surprised India’, offering insights into its making while candidly reflecting on his journey and the driving forces that keep him going.
By Amber Dias
Renowned journalist, author and news anchor, Rajdeep Sardesai has been a defining voice in Indian media for over three decades. Known for his incisive political analysis and fearless reporting, Sardesai has covered some of the most pivotal moments in India’s history, from general elections to social upheavals. As a Padma Shri awardee and an influential figure in contemporary journalism, his journey exemplifies the power of storytelling in shaping public discourse.
Excerpts from the interview…
Let’s talk ‘2024: The Election That Surprised India’. Why was this an important subject for you to dissect, analyse and pen?
I think every Indian general election with crores of Indian voters participating is important, it’s a chance to reflect on the state of Indian politics and society. The 2024 elections was particularly important because it marked a culmination of a tumultuous political decade of BJP domination, more specifically Modi domination. And yet, the election itself threw up surprising results despite all the surround sound of char sau paar. How does it explain the tectonic changes taking place in India today? How does one look back at a dramatic decade in Indian politics? What have been the turning points? What is the role of religion, of a personality cult, of ‘saam daam’ politics and yes, the media? These questions and many others can only be answered by a comprehensive book that goes beyond the headlines. Hence the relevance of this book which is part of a unique trilogy of books I have now written going back to 2014.
You are no stranger to writing about politics, elections and how they’ve shaped the country. However, was there anything that surprised you as you sat down to put the book together?
Yes, I was surprised by just how dynamic and competitive politics in this country is. Did anyone imagine for example that the BJP would lose the Ayodhya seat barely months after the Ram Mandir was built? Did anyone expect the BJP not to get a majority on its own? As I researched the book, I was surprised how media, pollsters, and yes, even experienced netas could get so many things so wrong.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
My hope is that readers get a better sense of a changing India: Of how state power can be used and misused, how tectonic events like Covid and the farmers’ agitation were handled, how the media has been ‘managed’, how enforcement agencies can become ‘washing machines’, the role of big money, how communal faultlines have widened, how the ModiShah machine operates, how Rahul Gandhi tried to re-invent himself, how the opposition functions, how lack of ethics in public life at times has been ‘normalised’ and so much more.
This is also the most uniquely diverse country in the world and the book seeks to reflect that diversity including ‘stories of hope’ in a chapter that profiles those who proved to be giant killers in 2024. I hope the book gives a ringside view of Indian politics and its characters to one and all irrespective of their political ideologies.
Stepping back a bit, what do you think fuels your inquisitiveness and passion for telling stories? Has this changed or evolved over the years?
I have always been passionate about news right from childhood when I would rush to get the morning newspaper before going to school. The storytelling comes, I think, from a reporter’s nose for news: I am a reporter first when I write a book, and my aim is to tell stories with accuracy and without fear. In this book, you will find that I pull no punches: I tell it like I see it without fear or favour.
Having your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the country is essential for a journalist, what is your secret to keeping up with it all and pinpointing the stories you want to tell?
I guess it is the passion for news again that drives me: I have been on the news treadmill for more than 35 years. Some of that experience does matter.
The way we communicate and share information has changed tremendously within the last few years, from your perspective how has that impacted or changed news reporting and connecting with an audience?
We are in a truly multi-media age where news spreads through a variety of platforms. We have people of all age groups consuming news and information across these platforms. I believe the reader wants to be taken seriously and taken beyond the headlines, disinformation and breaking news updates. That’s been my aim while writing books on politics. To take the reader into the inner world of Indian politics in a manner that is accessible and readable.
It’s safe to say that being a journalist is something you excel at. However, it is not an easy profession, irrespective of time and place. How have you stayed the course? Has there ever been a moment where you wanted to give it up and try something new?
Good question: I am not sure how I have stayed the course. I guess my passion for news, the fact that I have been lucky to get so many opportunities at various stages in my life and career, and yes, I guess self-discipline and youthful energy have helped too.
There are a lot of budding journos who look up to you and see you as inspiration. Who were your inspirations when you started your career, and how have they influenced your work?
I won’t single any one person. I was lucky when I joined the ‘Times of India’ in 1988, I had really kind editors in Dileep Padgaonkar and Darryl D’Monte who mentored me. Later, at ‘NDTV’, Prannoy and Radhika Roy were remarkable bosses: They gave us so many opportunities to shine. At ‘Network 18’, Raghav Bahl and Sameer Manchanda were on hand to guide. At ‘India Today’, Kalli and Aroon Purie have been most supportive. I am very lucky in that sense. I also don’t want to forget the great RK Laxman, the legendary cartoonist who was a friend and inspiration and was in the cabin next to me at TOI. And then my family, especially my wife Sagarika and kids Ishan and Tarini who kept me going through good times and bad
And speaking of being an inspiration, are there any habits or practices you recommend for young journalists to hone their skills?
I always say, join journalism if you have a passion for news and not a desire to become famous. This is not a 9 to 5 job, treat every day as a new day and life as a journey. The biggest learning in journalism is not in a classroom but on the streets of India. This is the most wonderful country to do journalism in the world as long as you keep your eyes and ears open to new ideas and experiences. And yes, journalism must always be empathetic to the underdog while telling the truth about power and the top dogs.
Looking back, how would you describe the legacy you hope to leave behind?
I really don’t think too much about legacy. I just want to be seen as a good human being and citizen first. The rest I leave people to judge. This question maybe should be asked to those who have worked with me over the years. They can define my work better perhaps than I could.
Coming back to the present, with the book now released, what’s next for Rajdeep Sardesai?
Good question. Honest answer: I don’t know. But I would like to give back to society in some small way. And also enjoy what life has to offer one year at a time! But yes, whatever I do, my heart will always beat for the news!
