Veteran journalist and her memoir
Harinder Baweja memoir on fearless conflict reporting: Veteran journalist Harinder Baweja has released her memoir They Will Shoot You, Madam: My Life Through Conflict in Delhi on October 1, 2025. The book spans her 40 years of reporting from conflict zones such as Punjab, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Malaysia. The title reflects the risks she undertook in pursuit of truth and fearless reporting.
Static GK fact: Operation Blue Star was a military action carried out in June 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Early career and turning points
Her career took shape during Operation Blue Star, when she narrowly escaped danger with help from Captain Amarinder Singh. This incident became a turning point, marking the beginning of her work in sensitive regions. Over the decades, Baweja built her reputation by covering insurgencies, terror attacks, and underworld networks.
Major assignments in conflict zones
Baweja’s memoir recounts high-risk assignments. She traveled to Pakistan just ten days after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, determined to uncover facts beyond headlines. In Malaysia, she interviewed underworld don Chhota Rajan, showcasing extraordinary courage. In Kashmir, she met separatist leader Yasin Malik in the 1990s, where she faced harassment during the interview. These experiences reveal the harsh realities of ground reporting in volatile areas.
Static GK tip: Chhota Rajan was arrested in Bali in 2015 and extradited to India.
Role of journalism in democracy
Baweja highlights the vital role of independent journalism in strengthening democracy. By risking her life to report directly from conflict zones, she showed how journalists contribute to shaping public discourse. Her memoir is not just personal history but also a broader reflection of the ethical challenges and political pressures facing Indian media today.
Insights from the launch event
The launch included prominent figures such as Omar Abdullah and Rajdeep Sardesai. Abdullah underlined how journalists often record truths that others avoid, while Sardesai emphasized the ethical dilemmas of conflict reporting. Their discussions reinforced the idea that journalism requires both courage and accountability.
Static GK fact: Omar Abdullah served as the 11th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 2009 to 2015.
Enduring legacy
The memoir cements Baweja’s place as one of India’s most fearless journalists. Her accounts from Operation Blue Star to the 26/11 attacks serve as important reminders of the sacrifices required in conflict journalism. The book inspires future reporters to pursue truth even in the face of risk.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Harinder Baweja memoir on fearless conflict reporting:
| Topic | Detail |
| Author | Harinder Baweja |
| Book Title | They Will Shoot You, Madam: My Life Through Conflict |
| Release Date | October 1, 2025 |
| Launch Venue | Delhi |
| Career Span | Over 40 years in journalism |
| Key Events Covered | Operation Blue Star, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Kashmir conflict |
| Prominent Figures at Launch | Captain Amarinder Singh, Omar Abdullah, Rajdeep Sardesai |
| Notable Assignment | Interview with Chhota Rajan in Malaysia |
| Conflict Zone Reporting | Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| Theme of Memoir | Challenges and risks of conflict journalism |
