Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Bhakta Charan Das
Indian politician (born 1958) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Bhakta Charan Das (born 26 November 1958) is an Indian politician from Odisha. He served as a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha representing the Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency) in the 15th Lok Sabha.[1][2] He also served as the President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.[3]
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Remove ads
Early life and education
He was involved in movements related to human rights, entitlements, and environmental conservation. In 1977, he joined the Yuva Chhatra Sangharsh Bahini, the student wing of the JP movement, where he advocated against corruption and for the rights of marginalized communities. The organization advocated for the employment of local youth in the Indravati Hydro and Irrigation Project.
1982–83: Save Forest Movement
Das participated in the "Save Forest" movement, raising awareness about the effects of deforestation, such as ecological imbalances, climate change, and reduced rainfall. He encouraged forest dwellers, including tribal communities, to protect forests and wildlife. Das opposed the government's policy of auctioning lumber and worked with forest inhabitants and villagers to prevent contractors from exploiting woodland resources.
Remove ads
Career
Summarize
Perspective
As an MLA, Das toured the district, involving district administration officials. He and activists organized protests, bandhs, road blockades, and hunger strikes.
In the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Das highlighted the conditions faced by residents in his district, bringing attention to issues in Kalahandi.
Parliament and Ministry
Das contested the 1989 Lok Sabha election from the Kalahandi constituency on behalf of the Janata Party.[4] He won and was appointed Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in the Union Ministry under Prime Minister V.P. Singh.[5]
After the V.P. Singh government fell, Das was appointed Minister of State for Railways under Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar and oversaw the surveying and approval of new railway lines by the Planning Commission, their inclusion in the Union Railway Budget, the introduction of new trains, and the modernization of railway stations.
Das advocated for the rights of tribal communities, farmers, and other marginalized groups. During 2012–13, he worked on issues related to the National Crop Insurance Scheme, through which farmers in Odisha reportedly received over Rs 500 crore. Between 2009 and 2014, he worked to secure road, irrigation, and railway projects for the Kalahandi and Nuapada districts.
Conservation of Niyamgiri
In 2003, Vedanta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Odisha for an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh and bauxite mining from Niyamgiri. Das advocated for the protection of Niyamgiri and the rights of the local inhabitants, particularly the Dongaria Kondhs, for whom Niyamgiri is a source of sustenance and holds religious significance.
Das opposed investment and mining projects and supported the local community's cause. Following actions by civil society groups and the local community, Das informed Sonia Gandhi, the President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), about the situation.
Remove ads
See also
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads