In *The Mahatma’s Manifesto*, Rajesh Talwar presents a compelling critique of Gandhi’s *Hind Swaraj*, challenging the idealistic and often impractical vision articulated by the Father of the Nation. Through incisive analysis and unflinching clarity, Talwar highlights the contradictions and shortcomings in Gandhi’s rejection of modernity, industrialization, and Western thought. Far from being a revered pathway to freedom, *Hind Swaraj* is portrayed as a regressive manifesto advocating a return to an outdated past, one that disregards the complexities and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Talwar critiques Gandhi’s vision of self-sufficiency as a model for national development, arguing that it represents an isolating and economically restrictive fantasy that ultimately hinders India’s progress.