Bhakta Charan Das
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Bhakta Charan Das | |
|---|---|
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| President Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee | |
| Assumed office 11 February 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Sarat Pattanayak |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 2009–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Bikram Keshari Deo |
| Succeeded by | Arka Keshari Deo |
| Constituency | Kalahandi |
| In office 1996–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Subhash Chandra Nayak |
| Succeeded by | Bikram Keshari Deo |
| Constituency | Kalahandi |
| In office 1989–1991 | |
| Preceded by | Jagannath Patnaik |
| Succeeded by | Subhash Chandra Nayak |
| Constituency | Kalahandi |
| Minister of State in Ministry of Railways Government of India | |
| In office 21 November 1990 – 21 June 1991 | |
| Prime Minister | Chandra Shekhar |
| Preceded by | Madhavrao Scindia |
| Succeeded by | Mallikarjun Goud |
| Deputy Minister Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (India) | |
| In office 23 April 1990 – 5 November 1990 | |
| Prime Minister | V. P. Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 November 1958 Bhawanipatna, Odisha, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Sunanda Das |
| Children | Sagar Charan Das |
| Parents |
|
| Education | B.A., LL.B. |
| Alma mater | Sambalpur University |
| Profession | Politician, Advocate, Journalist |
| Website | www.bhaktadas.in |
Bhakta Charan Das 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]
Early life and education
[edit]Das graduated from Sambalpur University with a law degree. He worked as a lawyer before entering politics.
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
[edit]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.
1983: Farmers' Movement
[edit]In 1983, Das supported the farmers' movement by advocating for the waiving of bank loans for marginal farmers affected by drought in Kalahandi and other districts. He was supported by Shri Kishan Pattnaik, then Member of Parliament from Sambalpur Constituency. Das organized protests at district headquarters and Block Development Offices (B.D.O.s). Farmer rallies were held, leading to the state government conceding to some of the farmers' demands.
Career
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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.
Rahul Gandhi, MP and General Secretary of the AICC, visited Niyamgiri Hills, engaged with tribal communities, and expressed solidarity with them.
Das and activists conducted the movement, which brought attention to Vedanta's activities at the national government level.
Implementation of forest rights act
[edit]Das supported Jamguda village in the Kalahandi district in securing the right to sell bamboo from natural forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. He pressured the Odisha government for the proper implementation of the act, supporting the development of a bamboo business for forest dwellers.
Following his advocacy, two central ministers, Jayaram Ramesh and V. Kishore Chandra Deo, along with Odisha's Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra, visited Jamguda village. On 4 March 2013, approval for bamboo sales by the Jamguda Gram Sabha was granted.[6]
See also
[edit]- Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
- Indian general election in Orissa, 2009
- Indian National Congress
- Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee
References
[edit]- ^ "Profile of Members". Government of India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
- ^ "Congress appoints Bhakta Charan Das as campaign head for Odisha". The Hindu. 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Bhakta Charan Das appointed Odisha Congress president". Times of India. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Nayak, Subadh (12 February 2025). "My aim is not to become the CM but to strengthen the party and win people's hearts: Bhakta Charan Das". KalingaTV. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ Pradhan, Surya Narayan (11 February 2025). "Congress President appoints Bhakta Charan Das as OPCC Chief". Sambad English. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ Guru, Sudeep Kumar (4 March 2013). "Another village, this time in Odisha, gets official permit to sell bamboo". Down To Earth. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
