Saket Suman is a writer, journalist and literary chronicler. He is the author of The Psychology of a Patriot, published by Rupa Publications in India. He has worked at premiere Indian media houses in key reporting and editorial positions. His articles on Culture and Society have appeared in over two dozen newspapers.
He wrote
a popular weekly column “Beyond Books” in The Statesman between 2013 to 2016; covered student unrest and the
demonstrations leading up to the withdrawal of Delhi University’s ambitious
Four Year Undergraduate Programme; co-authored a series of front-page
investigative reports on illegal
narcotic racket in India’s national capital; chronicled the most extensive
coverage of the
Sahitya Akademi imbroglio when reputed writers returned their prestigious
literary honours in protest against what they called intolerance in India;
commented vociferously on threats
to free speech and the building
wave of jingoism; curated microsites and special projects such as “Where
Writers Write”, “Shifting
Sands of Culture” and “Translating
India”, among others.
Saket
Suman reinvigorated the literary
coverage in the country, profiling heavyweight writers and building a formidable
pool of commentators and critics. He has reported extensively on the arts and
culture sectors, covered mega spiritual, literary,
cultural, music and food gatherings and carnivals in India and abroad.
He is
credited for exclusive newsbreaks that have rocked the national
discourse; passionate first-person
reportage that has appeared in front pages of national dailies; insightful scoops that have led to implementation
of stricter protocols; and incisive interviews that have created space for
wider discussion. He has travelled extensively and reported from varied terrains on the heartaches and hurrahs of
everyday Indians.
He has previously authored The Psychology of a Patriot, a one-of-its kind nonfiction book that traced the changing narratives around patriotism in India from the country’s first war of independence to the pandemic by artfully using the lives of some eminent citizens.
Suman then worked at Ashoka University, managing Public Relations, Internal Communications and Crisis Management amidst frequent upheavals. Operating discreetly in collaboration with reputed academics, he ensured the publication of hundreds of op-ed articles and secured interviews in leading Indian and global media outlets. Suman undertook a transformative journey with the university's monthly newsletter, Ashoka Reflections, elevating it from a modest six-paragraph HTML page into a substantial monthly magazine spanning over 100 pages while instilling a commitment to journalistic ethics in its production. Suman's contributions represented a quantum leap in the university's communication approach. He stood as the sole advocate within the university's administration, offering unwavering support to its faculty members who courageously voiced their concerns about the suppression of academic freedom by the founders and administration. Suman's association with Ashoka University came to an end shortly thereafter.
Suman was handpicked by The Times of India, where he reported as a Special Correspondent on issues around education in the national capital, debunking the myth of "revolution" that was hyped by the then Delhi government. Suman and the Editor, parted ways with friction. Suman alleged that the Editor had developed a flair for fiction — not in novels, but news — and routinely spiked his stories. When offered a lateral move to any other location by senior leadership of TOI, Suman declined the offer. He walked away instead — quietly, but with his spine straight and bylines intact. His exit was ultimately cleared with dignity after senior leadership intervention at TOI, though his relieving letter came backdated — a familiar plot twist reminiscent of his days at Ashoka University. Some exits are loud; others, principled.
Suman published a book-length biography of author Perumal Murugan titled "God's Own Child" in 10 parts and became the first chronicler of the much controversial author's life and times. Suman covered the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the 2024 general elections, writing timely and pointed opinion pieces. Suman covered the G20 summit and chronicled the outcomes of the meetings in New Delhi. Suman's "Changemakers" series inspired former journalist Barkha Dutt to come up with a familiar work of her own, featuring at least two personalities directly linked to Suman's works, and backed by a corporate group.
Saket Suman is currently Editor at IndianRepublic.in, where he heads all editorial operations, and writes frequently on topics of international interest with an Indian angle.
