The Candidate: Meet Anurag Thakur; Rollercoster of political career, from controversy to achievement inside

Anurag Thakur is an Indian politician who has held several significant positions within the Indian government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was born on October 24, 1974, in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India. He completed his education at Doaba College in Jalandhar, Punjab, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Thakur began his political journey in 2008 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament from the Hamirpur constituency in a by-election. Since then, he has been re-elected multiple times, solidifying his position in Indian politics.

In May 2019, he was appointed as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs in the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. His political responsibilities expanded in July 2021 when he was elevated to Cabinet rank, becoming the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Concurrently, he took on the role of Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

Controversies

Hate Speech Allegations

In January 2020, Thakur faced severe criticism for leading a crowd in chanting inflammatory slogans during a rally in Delhi, ahead of the Assembly elections. The slogans were seen as inciting violence against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters, leading to a temporary campaign ban by the Election Commission of India.

Cricket Administration Issues

During his tenure as BCCI President, Thakur clashed with the Supreme Court over the implementation of the Lodha Committee reforms, aimed at enhancing transparency and governance in Indian cricket. His resistance to these reforms led to his removal from the post by the Supreme Court in January 2017.

Political Statements and Actions

Thakur's provocative statements and political rhetoric have often sparked controversy. He has been a vocal supporter of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a polarising issue in India that has led to widespread protests. Additionally, his comments on Kashmir, especially following the abrogation of Article 370, have drawn criticism for being insensitive to the region's complexities.

Anurag Thakur's career, marked by significant achievements and notable controversies, continues to make him a prominent and influential figure in Indian politics.