About Me

I’m Samiksha Bhattacharjee — a British author, commentator, and host of Samiksha’s State of the Debate. I write about culture, economics, politics, and free speech, with a focus on the realities facing young people in the modern world.

My work sits somewhere between analysis and storytelling: shaped by lived experience, grounded in real-world consequences, and driven by a belief that young people deserve honest conversations, not ideological scripts.

Where It Started

I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. My debut novel Legal Crime started when I was seven years old — literally scribbling ideas cross-legged on the bathroom floor because it was the quietest spot in the house. What began as a short tale about a runaway girl grew with me through the years. By the time I was thirteen, it had become a full YA contemporary thriller published by The Conrad Press.

The book follows sixteen-year-old aspiring singer Fiona Watson, who bolts from her seemingly perfect family only to crash into the real world: peer pressure, family secrets, grief, drugs, underage drinking, and the kind of bad decisions that feel illegal even when they’re not.

I wrote it in a raw, diary-style with flashbacks because that’s how life felt — confusing, non-linear, and full of contradictions. The title came from an English class on oxymorons. That early experience taught me something simple but important: stories matter, and age is no excuse not to create. I still hope it encourages other kids and teens to pick up a pen (or laptop) and start something real.

Age isn’t a barrier to creating something real.

University & Free Speech

I’m currently studying History, Politics & Economics at UCL. Between lectures on Marxism, post‑colonialism, and the usual campus orthodoxy, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly debate can shut down when people are scared to say the “wrong” thing.

In 2026, I revived and became President of the UCL Libertarian Society — a space built around three principles: free speech, free minds, and free markets. When I hosted a women’s‑rights and free‑speech event featuring a gender‑critical speaker, the backlash was immediate. It was rough, but it clarified something important: the cost of speaking honestly is high, but the cost of silence is worse.

What I Write About

My work focuses on the issues shaping young people’s lives — the ones everyone feels but few articulate clearly.

I’m a classical liberal at my core: pro‑free markets, pro‑free speech, pro‑individual liberty, and deeply sceptical of government overreach.

State of the Debate

In 2025, I launched Samiksha’s State of the Debate — my Substack, YouTube series, and community dedicated to honest discussion. It’s where I publish weekly articles, exclusive deep dives, behind‑the‑scenes analysis, and reader‑requested topics.

It’s a space for people who want clarity — and who are tired of being told what they’re allowed to think.

My Work Elsewhere

I’ve written commentary for national and international outlets and appeared on broadcast media discussing free speech, youth economics, and campus culture. I’m also a Young Voices UK contributor.

If you’d like to explore my articles, interviews, and media appearances, you can find them on the External Commentary page.