Rana Ayyub's request to her subscribers

As I complete a year on my Substack, here is a request to my readers as I aim to publish crucial exposes, investigations and podcasts in the lead up to the 75th year of Indian independence.

My encounters with the unpopular truth

I have been “accused” of speaking truth to power for the last fifteen years, and I concur. The thing about truth is that it exists simply and clearly but never autonomously. It is said the truth is subjective, more so in this “post-truth” era, and I concur with that too. I do believe truth is always held ransom by those in power, and as an investigative journalist my work has always been to pry open those clutches of hegemony. In the last seven years (half of my journalistic career), my job of telling the truth has become increasingly crucial and life-threatening. Under a rising autocratic regime in India where my reality as a Muslim, a persecuted minority, is constantly dismissed as prejudice, the veracity and urgency of my words find a home here.

My relationship with truth is personal. A common Western notion of truth relies on a sanitised, sterilised version of objectivity—the person writing must remove their experiences and biases from their work. I confront this notion in my journalism with an ethical subjectivism; speaking as a sentient being for those not considered sentient enough in this world. While addressing rampant worldwide Islamophobia, I strive to centre the marginalised—castes, genders, faiths—at the same time challenge a system that keeps them there. I am not neutral; my journalism clearly defines the oppressor and the oppressed; it recognises majoritarian privilege. It seeks to be a voice of the voiceless. 

Each one of us who believes in the idea of a democratic India and personal liberty is pained at the censorship by mainstream media, its complete subservience to those in power and the everyday dog whistle against minorities. At a time like this we need your support more than ever. To ensure that we continue to speak truth to power in the face of relentless attacks, I would request you to consider a paid subscription to my Substack

Why subscribe?

On this page you will find me having conversations—with you, newsmakers, leaders, journalists, writers and myself. These conversations will take the form of essays, reports, podcasts, open discussion threads, interviews, features and recommendations. I will go beyond my regular reportage and bring to you stories of journalism from the field, anecdotes from my time under cover and excerpts from my book “Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up.” 

This space will dig deep into what constitutes true investigative journalism. I will be reporting from India and the neighbouring countries on stories the world needs to hear. I will interview journalists from oppressive regimes, who have consistently defended a free and vibrant democracy; writers and public intellectuals known globally for their profound expressions of discontent. There will also be ongoing discussions and debates with experts, policy makers, leaders and creative professionals, on current affairs, crises and humanitarian concerns. 

I will also platform an emerging journalist or writer occasionally and feature their work while mentoring them.I will share tips from my experiences as a part of the “journalism beyond the institute” series. I will share who and what I am reading, and which work impacts me the most. 

When you subscribe to this page, you will hear my voice, my opinions, my process, my cohort and expertise, with the truth and my being at the centre.