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Who is Swapan Dasgupta?
Swapan Dasgupta is an Indian politician and journalist known for espousing the cause of India’s right-wing in the Indian political theatre. Dasgupta, born on October 3, 1955, is one of the few English-speaking personalities influential within the right-wing ecosystem and is known for furthering the cause of Hindu nationalism in the English media. He regularly writes in leading English newspapers and gives Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) perspective on national issues.
He was, until recently, a member of the Rajya Sabha. He resigned from the upper house to contest in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2021 on a BJP ticket from Tarakeswar.
Dasgupta is one of the most prominent centre-right intellectuals. He is known for his consistent attacks on the left-liberal commentators. Initially, he was attracted to Trotskyism, but later during his UK days, he became a Thatcherite. Since then, he has identified himself with centre-right politics in India.
Dasgupta is one of the most prominent centre-right intellectuals. He is known for his consistent attacks on the left-liberal commentators. Initially, he was attracted to Trotskyism, but later during his UK days, he became a Thatcherite. Since then, he has identified himself with centre-right politics in India.
Swapan Dasgupta's early life
Born in a Bengali upper caste family in Calcutta, he received his early education at St Paul's School, Darjeeling, La Martiniere Calcutta and St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He graduated from St. Stephen's College in 1975. Thereafter, he went on to earn an MA and PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He returned to India in 1979 for a brief period to take up a management position at his family’s pharmaceutical company, Calcutta Chemical Company. Later, he went back to the UK as a Junior Research Fellow at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, where he taught South Asian politics.
Swapan Dasgupta as a journalist
He has served in editorial positions in several leading English newspapers, including The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Statesman, Indian Today, among others. He regularly features on English news channels on debate shows.
In 2015, Dasgupta was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for his contribution to Literature and Education.
Swapan Dasgupta's personal life
Dasgupta is married to Reshmi Ray Dasgupta who is a Lifestyle Editor at The Economic Times. He has a son who practices in the Supreme Court. They live in New Delhi.