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As we sit in the quiet morning of July 20, 2025, at 11:15 AM IST, the legacy of Umesh Upadhyay, a veteran journalist and communicator who passed away on September 1, 2024, at the age of 66, continues to resonate through his seminal work, Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi. Published by Rupa Books with a foreword by former Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, this book stands as a testament to Upadhyay’s over four decades of experience in print, radio, TV, and digital media. His untimely demise in a tragic accident has left a void in the discourse he sought to ignite, yet his work remains a vital resource for understanding the complex interplay of media, narrative, and geopolitics. Today, more than ever, this book deserves our attention, particularly in an era where the battle of narratives poses as significant a challenge to the Indian Central Government as it does to the Western media establishment.

A Book Born from Decades of Insight

Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi is not merely a book; it is a meticulously researched chronicle that traces the evolution of Western media portrayals of India from the pre-Independence era to the present day under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cover art—a gloved hand holding a globe made of newspaper fragments with a lit fuse—symbolizes the explosive potential of media narratives to shape global perceptions. Upadhyay’s work delves into how these narratives have often been skewed, reflecting biases rooted in colonial legacies, cultural imperialism, and geopolitical agendas. From the underreported atrocities of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to exaggerated predictions of India’s collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, the book uncovers a pattern of selective storytelling that undermines India’s achievements and potential.

Upadhyay’s multidisciplinary approach, drawing from media studies, history, sociology, and political science, equips readers with the tools to decipher these narratives. Endorsements from figures like Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and bestselling author Amish Tripathi underscore the book’s credibility and readability. Harivansh notes that the book exposes how Western media has historically “boxed India’s place in the world,” while Tripathi praises its calm, clinical analysis as a must-read for those frustrated with Western media’s impact on India’s international relations.

The Context of Its Creation

Upadhyay was actively promoting Western Media Narratives in the months leading up to his death, engaging with audiences through interviews and social media. His X post from March 6, 2024 (Post ID: 1765376382303977828), announcing the book’s release, reflects his excitement and dedication: “It’s been an absolute honor to delve into decades of research, uncovering the biases that have shaped how India is portrayed globally.” Videos on YouTube (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wUaTllQMGM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lySJD_Re61c) capture his readiness to discuss the book, offering insights into his passion for challenging dominant narratives.

Tragically, on September 1, 2024, at the age of 66, Upadhyay succumbed to injuries sustained in a fall from the fourth floor of an under-construction building in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, while inspecting renovations. This accident cut short a career marked by intellectual rigor and a commitment to truth.

The Battle of Narratives in the Present Era

In 2025, the importance of Western Media Narratives on India has only grown, as the battle of narratives has become a defining challenge for both the Indian Central Government and the Western media. For the government, shaping a positive global image is crucial as India emerges as a global economic and political powerhouse. The Modi administration has faced scrutiny over issues like dissent suppression, economic policies, and social challenges—narratives often amplified by Western outlets to fit a preconceived mold of a developing nation struggling with democracy. Upadhyay’s book provides a historical lens to contextualize these portrayals, revealing how such biases date back to colonial times and persist as tools of influence.

Conversely, Western media faces its own challenge: maintaining credibility in an era of digital democratization and competing narratives. The rise of Indian media, social platforms like X, and alternative voices has disrupted the monopoly Western outlets once held over global storytelling. Upadhyay’s work exposes the stakes involved—credibility is at risk if these outlets fail to adapt their approach, as Harivansh warns in his review. The book’s relevance lies in its call for a balanced dialogue, urging both sides to move beyond stereotypes and engage with India’s multifaceted reality.

The Central Government’s Narrative Challenge

For the Indian Central Government, the narrative battle is multifaceted. On one hand, it must counter Western media’s focus on negative tropes—poverty, corruption, and human rights concerns—while highlighting achievements like digital innovation, space exploration, and economic growth. On the other, it must navigate internal dissent and global perceptions of its policies, a tension Upadhyay addresses through his analysis of media’s role in shaping national identity. The government’s push for a “New India” narrative clashes with Western frameworks that often frame India as a perpetual underdog or authoritarian state, a dichotomy the book dissects with evidence from news articles, speeches, and surveys.

This challenge is not merely about image but influence. As India seeks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council or leadership in global forums, the narrative war determines its legitimacy. Upadhyay’s book equips policymakers with the historical context to anticipate and counter these biases, making it an essential tool in the government’s diplomatic arsenal. In the ten months since his passing, the government’s narrative efforts have intensified, underscoring the timeliness of his insights

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The Western Media’s Dilemma

Western media, meanwhile, grapples with its legacy of Eurocentric reporting. Upadhyay’s analysis of historical events-like the Manchester Guardian’s understated coverage of Jallianwala Bagh-illustrates a pattern of downplaying India’s struggles while amplifying its flaws. In the digital age, this approach is increasingly untenable as Indian voices challenge these narratives directly. The book’s critique of cultural imperialism resonates today, as Western outlets face accusations of agenda-driven reporting on issues like Kashmir or the Citizenship Amendment Act. The challenge for Western media is to evolve, but as Upadhyay suggests, this requires acknowledging past biases—a step many are reluctant to take.

A Legacy Unfinished

Umesh Upadhyay’s death on September 1, 2024, has left his work unfinished, yet Western Media Narratives on India stands as a beacon for future discourse. The book’s neglect in the ten months since his demise is a poignant reminder of how quickly intellectual contributions can fade without sustained engagement. However, its relevance endures, particularly as narrative battles intensify. The Central Government’s efforts to project a global image, coupled with Western media’s struggle to retain influence, mirror the themes Upadhyay explored. His call for readers to “uncover the truth behind the headlines” remains a rallying cry.
Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi is more than a historical analysis; it is a roadmap for navigating the narrative wars of the 21st century.

In an era where information is power, Upadhyay’s work keeps a finger on the pulse of time, offering insights that are as critical today as they were in 2024. For the Indian Central Government, it is a strategic guide to countering global biases; for Western media, a mirror to reflect on its shortcomings. As we commemorate Upadhyay’s legacy on this July morning in 2025—nearly ten months after his passing on September 1, 2024, at age 66—let us not forget his book—a vital tool in understanding and shaping the narratives that define India’s place in the world.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle, though its contributions have often been misrepresented or underreported due to ideological biases. This analysis aims to clarify the RSS’s involvement, emphasizing the active participation of its volunteers and addressing criticisms, which largely stem from leftist historians and politicians within the Congress ecosystem.

The Founding and Early Objectives of the RSS

Established on Vijayadashami in 1925 in Nagpur, the RSS was created to organize Hindu society and awaken national consciousness. Dr. Hedgewar believed that India’s disunity was a key weakness, requiring a disciplined organization to foster cultural and social strength. While the RSS prioritized character-building and national pride over direct confrontation with the British in its early years, its efforts laid the groundwork for a resilient society that supported the broader freedom struggle.

RSS Contributions to the Freedom Struggle

Active Participation of Volunteers
RSS volunteers were unequivocally involved in India’s freedom struggle at an individual level. Dr. Hedgewar himself participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920 and the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930, even enduring imprisonment in 1921 for his Congress-related activities, as noted in Panchjanya. Numerous RSS volunteers similarly joined freedom movements, contributing through protests, organizational efforts, and grassroots mobilization, despite the organization not formally leading these initiatives.

Cultural and Social Awakening
The RSS viewed true independence as encompassing political, cultural, and social dimensions. Through its shakhas, it instilled discipline, patriotism, and unity among youth, creating a socially cohesive base that strengthened the freedom struggle. Ramashish Singh of Pragya Pravah emphasizes that this focus on national consciousness was a vital, albeit indirect, contribution to the fight for independence.

Support for Revolutionary Activities
RSS volunteers provided critical support to revolutionary groups like the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA). Sources, including an OpIndia article, highlight that volunteers offered safe havens and resources to figures like Chandrashekhar Azad. While some critics demand extensive documentation, the secretive nature of revolutionary work naturally limits such records, and the RSS’s contributions in this area are undeniable.

Role in the 1942 Quit India Movement
During the 1942 Quit India Movement, RSS volunteers played an active role, particularly in regions where Congress leaders were arrested. According to Republic Bharat, they maintained communication networks, distributed propaganda, and mobilized communities. These efforts were crucial in sustaining the movement’s momentum, countering claims that the RSS remained aloof.
Addressing Criticisms

Criticisms of the RSS’s role in the freedom struggle often originate from leftist historians and politicians aligned with the Congress ecosystem, who have portrayed the organization as detached or even complicit with the British. Claims on platforms like X, suggesting that the RSS organized no protests between 1925 and 1947 or had no martyrs, are misleading and lack historical nuance. Similarly, accusations regarding the RSS’s delayed acceptance of the tricolor or alleged involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination are unfounded. The RSS has consistently refuted these charges, and no legal evidence supports the latter. As noted in Live Hindustan, the organization’s focus on long-term societal empowerment through cultural unity was a deliberate strategy, not a compromise, and its volunteers made significant personal sacrifices.

The RSS’s Vision and Lasting Impact

The RSS believed that political freedom alone was insufficient without cultural and social strength. Its shakhas fostered unity and discipline, shaping a robust national identity that influenced post-independence India. Writers like Narendra Sehgal note that the RSS’s contributions are often underrecognized because its leaders prioritized service over publicity. The organization’s focus on nation-building continues to resonate, underscoring its enduring legacy.

The RSS’s role in India’s freedom struggle was marked by the active participation of its volunteers, who contributed through direct involvement, revolutionary support, and societal empowerment. Criticisms leveled against it, primarily from leftist and Congress-aligned historians and politicians, often distort this reality to fit ideological narratives. The RSS’s approach, rooted in cultural and social awakening, complemented the broader struggle for independence. A balanced understanding, grounded in historical evidence, affirms that the RSS and its volunteers played a vital role in India’s journey to freedom, with a vision for long-term nation-building that remains significant today.