Has Narendra Modi’s Key Media Strategist Hiren ‘Bhai’ Joshi Been Moved Out?
The man who for years ran the PMO's media and IT command centre, the architect of Modi's digital ecosystem, has vanished overnight without notice, no ceremony, no formal farewell
Hiren Joshi — The Power Behind the Curtain
Hiren Joshi, long thought of as the “motherboard” of Narendra Modi’s media and digital operations, has vanished from Delhi’s political and media firmament. His journey started in 2008 after fixing a minor technical glitch for Modi. Over the years, he took charge of social media strategy, narrative shaping, and media management — eventually rising to the position of Joint Secretary/OSD (Communications & IT) by 2019.
But until the morning of December 4, 2025, there was no official announcement, no farewell event, no bouquet — nothing. His sudden disappearance has sparked discussions across Lutyens’ Delhi. Many believe this is not just a simple transfer but a major sign of shifting power equations between the government and the media.
His absence has hit particularly those media houses and TV channels that were dependent on him for primetime narratives — the topics, the talking points sent over WhatsApp, and even labels like “anti-national.” Now, the lack of direction has left several newsrooms uncertain. Some journalists reportedly asked, “Do we have to find our own stories now?”
There has been no official clarity on whether Joshi has been sidelined, promoted, or reassigned to another post. But one thing is certain — the man who shaped India’s news cycles for years has become a headline himself by simply disappearing.
