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Naresh Meena
Indian politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Naresh Kumar Meena[1] (born 1979), known simply as Naresh Meena, is an Indian politician from Rajasthan. A former student leader of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), he is known for his independent political activities after rebelling against the Indian National Congress. Previously, he served as general secretary of Rajasthan University Student Union.[2][3]
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Early life and family
Meena was born in 1979 in Nayagaon village in Atru tehsil, Baran district, Rajasthan.[4] He did Bachelor of Arts from University of Rajasthan in 2002.[1] His father, Kalyan Singh, served as sarpanch for around three decades, while his mother has also held the position of sarpanch. His wife, Sunita Meena, is a Zila Parishad member, and his younger brother’s wife has been a member of the Panchayat Samiti.[5]
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Political career
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Meena was active in student politics during his time at the University of Rajasthan, where he was elected general secretary of the Rajasthan University Students’ Union (RUSU) on an NSUI ticket.[5]
Meena was initially associated with the Indian National Congress and maintained close ties with senior leader Sachin Pilot.[6] However, he frequently rebelled against the party when denied tickets for assembly elections.
In the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections, he contested from Chhabra constituency in Baran district as an independent candidate after being denied a Congress ticket, securing around 44,000 votes.[7]
Later in 2024, Meena contested the Deoli–Uniara by-election as an independent candidate after Congress nominated Kastor Chand Meena. This move led to his suspension from the party. In that election, Naresh Meena got approximately 60,000 votes as an independent candidate.[8]
In September 2025, Meena led protests demanding compensation for victims of a government school building collapse in Piplodi village, Jhalawar district.[9] His tactics included attempts to march to the Chief Minister’s residence, which led his detention, with police alleging vandalism and obstruction, but in September 2025 the Rajasthan High Court granted him bail, citing weak evidence.[10][11]
On 14 October 2025, Meena filed his nomination for the bye-election of Anta seat, which was vacant after disqualification of Kanwar Lal Meena.[12]
Hunger Strike on Jhalawar school tragedy
Later, Meena launched a multi-day hunger strike in Jaipur demanding compensation for victims. During the hunger protest, Meena got angry on his supporters and attacked on them.[13] Due to hunger strike, Meena was admitted to the SMS Hospital, where RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal met him and extended his support in protest and criticised the Bhajan Lal government.[14] Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot also tweeted that Bhajan Lal Sharma should intervene into this matter.[15] Meena broke the hunger strike after 15 days on 26 September 2025.[16]
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Controversy
In November 2024, during polling for the Deoli–Uniara by-election in Tonk district, Meena was arrested after allegedly slapping Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary outside a polling booth.[17] He was imprisoned for about eight months before being granted bail by the Rajasthan High Court in July 2025.[18]
In July 2025, soon after his release from jail, Meena launched the Jan Kranti Yatra, a 150-km foot march from Kamkheda Balaji Dham (Jhalawar) to Trikuta Mata Temple (Kota), ending on 28 July. He framed it as a fight against corruption and warned that “they can shut my petrol pump, but not my voice,”.[19][20]
Public image
Supporters often refer to him as "Chhota Kirodi", likening his style to senior BJP leader Kirodi Lal Meena due to his rebellious politics and street-level agitation.[5]
References
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