BHUBANESHWAR: Political writing existed in India and not a new phenomenon though a lot of books coming out now-a-days lack serious research and lack credible documentation.
This was the observation of speakers at the session "Is Political Literature a new Indian obsession?" at the Odisha Literary Festival 2017 organised by the New Indian Express here today.
Stating that writing of political biography in India mostly lacks information from primary sources and is based on oral interviews, former minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has written a book on former prime minister Indira Gandhi, said his book was based on research and facts collected from primary sources.
Ramesh said that biographies of political personalities should be based on primary base material and not on what one hears orally from this or that sources. He, however, said that a writer faces problems because of poor track record of declassification of documents in India. He, however, said there is lot material in the National Archives waiting to be analysed and brought to the fore.
Senior Congress leader and former minister Manish Tewari said political writing was strong from the time of emergence of nationalist press when several prominent leaders including Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote.
Anirban Ganguly, director of Dr Shyama Prasad Research Foundation said political writing needs intense research. In the earlier period, many politicians including Mahatma Gandhi, KM Munshi and others were prolific writers.
Eminent columnist and author Shankkar Aiyar conducted the session.