Navrang Singh Jakhar

Navrang Singh Jakhar (7 June 1942 - 19 September 2025) was an Indian politician and social reformer. He was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Nawalgarh. He was elected to the Rajasthan Assembly in 1977 as a member of the Janata Party and again in 1985 as a member of the Lok Dal. His son Ramavtar Singh Jakhar is an international volleyball player.^[1][2]

Navrang Singh Jakhar
Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
In office 1977–1980
Preceded by	Bhanwar Singh
Succeeded by	Bhanwar Singh
Constituency	Nawalgarh, Rajasthan
In office 1985–1990
Preceded by	Bhanwar Singh
Succeeded by	Bhanwar Singh
Constituency	Nawalgarh, Rajasthan
Personal details
Born	(1942-06-07)7 June 1942 Dhamera Village, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Died	19 September 2025(2025-09-19) (aged 83) Dhamera Village, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Political party	Lokdal
Other political affiliations	Janata Party
Education	Master of Arts

Early life and education

Jakhar was born on 7 June 1942 in Dhamora village of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, to Ganpat Singh Jakhar and Ghoti Devi. He began his schooling in his native village before continuing his higher studies in Jaipur.^[3]

He obtained a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). He also pursued Law (LL.B.), though he did not complete the degree. Despite this, his years as a student marked the beginning of his political and social engagement. Jakhar became active in student unions in Nawalgarh and Jaipur, where he participated in movements related to the abolition of the jagirdari system and social justice.^[3]

Political career

Jakhar entered politics while working as a teacher. He was first elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from the Nawalgarh constituency in 1977 as a candidate of the Janata Party, and was re-elected in 1985 on a Lok Dal ticket.^[4]

During his two terms, Jakhar served on several legislative committees, including the Privileges Committee, the Government Assurances Committee, and the Home Committee. He also held the position of Chief Whip in the assembly from 1979 to 1980.^[5]

Jakhar was associated at different times with the Congress (Organisation), the Janata Party, and the Lok Dal, where he was a member of their state executive committees. In addition to his party roles, he served as President of the Rajasthan Kisan Manch, an organisation through which he raised issues concerning farmers.^[5]

His political activity also included participation in social and protest movements. In 1979, he undertook a hunger strike outside the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly demanding the implementation of prohibition in the state. Following this, the state government introduced prohibition measures. In the late 1980s, he was among the politicians who spoke against the practice of sati in Rajasthan, including after the Deorala sati incident (1987), and supported legislation aimed at its abolition.^[5]

Jakhar also participated in relief work during the droughts of 1967–68 and 1979, and was involved in local initiatives such as contributing land for the establishment of a student hostel in Nawalgarh.^[5][4]

Death

Jakhar died on 19 September 2025. His last rites were performed in Dhamera village of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan.^[4]