Prominent Dalit leader and eight-time Member of Parliament, Virendra Kumar, has been sworn in as a Union Minister in the Narendra Modi government, marking his induction into the Cabinet of Modi 3.0.
Representing the Tikamgarh Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes, Virendra Kumar has been a steadfast figure in Indian politics. His political journey began with consecutive victories in the Tikamgarh seat, which was established in the 2008 delimitation process. Prior to this, he served as the Member of Parliament for the Sagar Lok Sabha constituency in Bundelkhand.
Hailing from humble beginnings, Virendra Kumar started his career by assisting his father at a cycle puncture repair shop in Sagar. Despite his rise in politics, he remains grounded and connected to his roots. Notably, he holds a Ph.D. in the subject of child labour, reflecting his commitment to social causes.
Virendra Kumar’s political activism is marked by resilience and dedication. During the Emergency period, he was incarcerated for 16 months for his dissenting views. Additionally, he actively participated in the ‘Sampoorna Kranti Andolan’ led by the revered ‘Lok Nayak’ Jai Prakash Narayan.
His appointment as a Union Minister underscores the BJP’s commitment to inclusivity and representation of marginalized communities in governance. As he assumes this new role, Virendra Kumar’s track record and advocacy for social justice are poised to make a significant impact on policymaking and governance in India.
