Swapan Dasgupta

About Swapan Dasgupta

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.

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.

Latest Updates on Swapan Dasgupta

Swapan Dasgupta, Mahesh Jethmalani, others take oath as RS members

BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta and three others took oath as members of the upper house in the presence of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday.

Updated On: 08 Jun 2021 | 4:12 PM IST

After losing in Bengal polls Swapan Dasgupta renominated to Rajya Sabha

Former journalist Swapan Dasgupta has been renominated to the Upper House of Parliament by the government

Updated On: 01 Jun 2021 | 6:50 PM IST

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Five states go to Assembly polls today, may tilt balance of power

With this round of elections, the poll to the legislative Assembly of Assam will have concluded

Updated On: 06 Apr 2021 | 12:36 AM IST

West Bengal Polls: Rajya Sabha accepts Swapan Dasgupta's resignation

The Rajya Sabha accepted the resignation of nominated member Swapan Dasgupta on Wednesday

Updated On: 17 Mar 2021 | 6:47 PM IST

Swapan Dasgupta tenders resignation as Rajya Sabha member

This comes after Dasgupta was named as a BJP candidate in the West Bengal assembly elections

Updated On: 16 Mar 2021 | 3:07 PM IST

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K V Kamath, Swapan Dasgupta may be inducted into govt in Cabinet reshuffle

With the Modi government having completed nearly eight months of its second term, speculation is rife regarding the first major reshuffle of the Cabinet and the council of ministers

Updated On: 19 Jan 2020 | 12:02 AM IST

Visva Bharati protesters fence in BJP's Swapan Dasgupta, VC for 6 hours

Dasgupta was invited to speak on "The CAA-2019: Understanding and Interpretation" as a part of the Visva Bharati Lecture Series at the Lipika Auditorium of Santiniketan.

Updated On: 09 Jan 2020 | 7:52 AM IST

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Citizenship Act: Over 1,000 academics come out in support of legislation

In the statement, they appealed to every section of the society "to exercise restraint and refuse to fall into the trap of propaganda, communalism and anarchism"

Updated On: 22 Dec 2019 | 12:01 AM IST

Don't fetishise standing up for the National Anthem: BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta

He said that one should maintain a 'basic attitude' of 'no disdain for National Anthem or song'

Updated On: 27 Nov 2017 | 9:38 AM IST