I, Witness: India from Nehru to Narendra Modi

by Shahid Siddiqui

The betrayals of 1962 and 1965; the steel tests of Shastri; the making and unmaking of Indira; Morarji’s castle of sands; the real culprits behind the massacre of 1984; the deep-seated conspiracy behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi; Rao’s gambits; Vajpayee’s fate; the decline of the Congress and the emergence of the BJP from the womb of the Ayodhya tragedy.
A mirror to modern India—flawed, fervent, fractured, yet forging ahead.
I, Witness is the saga of a nation reborn from the ashes of Partition—scarred, yet unbroken—rising through trials and tribulations to become one of the world’s most vibrant and enduring democracies.
Entwined with this national journey is the life of a man born at the dawn of India’s new age, on 15 August 1950—an eyewitness to its triumphs and traumas, a chronicler from within the corridors of power. With the dual lens of journalist and a political thinker, Shahid Siddiqui stood as a rare observer—shaped not only by the events he reported but also by the very forces that forged modern India. This memoir, distinct from others of its kind, bears the mark of one who lived history, not merely recorded it.
In his singular voice, Siddiqui recalls encounters with the titans of Indian politics—portraying them not as distant icons, but as fallible beings, their virtues and vices laid bare. With all their flaws and frailties, these figures—by design or default—helped shape an India that strives to be inclusive, resilient and democratic.
I, Witness invites the reader on a compelling journey through the shifting landscape of post- Independence India, recounted with the unflinching honesty and the nuanced perspective of an Indian Muslim who has walked the margins and the mainstream.
In this tapestry woven of memory and history, Siddiqui unveils the silent struggles and unspoken tales that have shaped both a people and a nation—sometimes steadfast as a stone in unity, at other times torn asunder by the rifts of religion, region, caste or tongue. Yet, in the crucible of crisis, when shadows loomed and trials mounted, they cast aside their divisions, remembering, above all, that they are one.

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2025

Reviews

[Harsh Agrawal]

I, Witness: India from Nehru to Narendra Modi

Author: Shahid Siddique

Published by Rupa Publications

Genre: Political Memoir

Pages: 448

MRP:Rs. 795/-

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3VseGdw


Thank you Rupa Publications for a review copy of the book.


Introduction
Every once in a while, a political memoir emerges that is less about the author and more about the country itself. Shahid Siddiqui’s I, Witness: India from Nehru to Narendra Modi is precisely that kind of book. It is the story of a man who, born on the very day India awoke to freedom in 1947, grew up not merely watching but also participating in the great churn of the republic. As a journalist, politician, and chronicler of his times, Siddiqui has had a ringside view of events that shaped India’s destiny - Partition’s shadow, the rise and fall of Nehruvian socialism, the traumas of Emergency, the decline of Congress, the tectonic impact of Ayodhya, and the ascent of Narendra Modi.


For readers who care about India’s journey , whether they lean left, right, or stand somewhere in the center , this memoir offers anecdotes, emotions, and historical recollections. Yet it is best appreciated through a centrist-right lens, one that respects the democratic traditions of India, acknowledges the positive contributions of leaders across the spectrum, but refuses to be seduced by the hollow claims of secular moralism that have too often been weaponized by dynasties and entrenched elites.


Siddiqui writes with warmth and sincerity, and his book is a testament to his love for the country. But as with any memoir, it is colored by his ideological leanings. For those of us who stand firmly in favor of national unity, accountability, and balance between tradition and modernity, the value of I, Witness lies in its rich recollections of history, its candid portraits of leaders, and the lessons it leaves for the future.

Read full review here: https://www.keetabikeeda.in/post/i-wi...

[Rajendra Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "I, Witness," author Shahid Siddiqui offers a profound exploration of India’s🇮🇳 tumultuous political landscape from the dawn of Independence to the present day. Through his dual lens as a journalist👨‍💻 and political thinker, Siddiqui recounts a tapestry of significant historical events, intricate political maneuvers, and the flawed yet heroic figures who shaped the nation.

              Siddiqui’s narrative begins with the traumas of Partition and the betrayals of the Sino-Indian conflict in 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. Navigating the tumultuous waters of Indian politics, Siddiqui writes with unflinching honesty, particularly as an Indian Muslim who has traversed the margins and mainstreams of society.

            The memoir goes beyond mere recollection; it delves into the silent struggles and unspoken tales that define the Indian experience. Siddiqui artfully weaves together the themes of inclusion and resilience, illustrating how, despite crises, the nation often remembers its collective identity.

           Each event is portrayed with unflinching honesty, allowing readers to see the political titans not as distant figures but as flawed humans navigating a complex landscape. The author’s encounters with titans of Indian politics provide an insider’s perspective, enriched with personal anecdotes and historical photographs. Overall, "I, Witness" serves as both a personal narrative and a national chronicle—a compelling reminder of India’s resilience and commitment to democracy💖💎

[Readers.wave - Karunesh Potdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest inside view of India’s modern journey from a true eyewitness. 🇮🇳

This memoir takes you deep into India’s unfolding decades, narrated by someone who experienced key turning points firsthand.

With clarity and integrity, Shahid Siddiqui brings leaders into focus not as legends, but as real people whose decisions shaped everything from democracy to social divides.

If you're searching for a memoir that combines journalism with personal experience and gives you hope that a fractured nation still holds resilience this one stands out.

[GA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all those who are interested in India’s destiny….and of course history of independent India….Shahid was an eye witness to most of the important events of independent India and his account he immensely enriching….I don’t think he got his due whether as a journalist, politician, Muslim intellectual or social worker….thanks!