Bhakta Charan Das
| Bhakta Charan Das | |
|---|---|
| MP, 9th, 11th and 15th Lok Sabha, | |
|
In office 2009–2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Bikram Keshari Deo |
| Succeeded by | Arka Keshari Deo |
| Constituency | Kalahandi |
| Spokesperson and Secretary All India Congress Committee | |
| Minister of State Ministry of Railways (India) | |
|
In office 1990–1991 |
|
| Deputy Minister Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (India) | |
|
In office 1989–1990 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
26 November 1958 Kalahandi, Odisha |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Other political affiliations |
Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) (1989–1996) |
| Spouse(s) | Smt. Sunanda Das |
| Children | 2 Sons |
| Alma mater | Sambalpur University |
| Profession | Social Worker, Advocate, Journalist |
| Website | www.bhaktadas.in |
Bhakta Charan Das (born 26 November 1958) is an Indian politician. He was a member of the Indian Parliament, and represented the Kalahandi constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha.
Das graduated from the Sambalpur University and, with a background in Law, worked as an advocate before joining politics.
The contribution of Bhakta Charan Das-an activist cum politician for ensuring the basic right and entitlements and conservation of nature is a milestone and a source of inspiration for others.= In 1977 he came in contact with YUVA CHATTRA SANGHARSH BAHINI (the student wing of JP movement in 1977). Under the banner of this organization he started revolution against the rampant corruption at different levels and worked for the basic entitlements of the marginal section. Under his leadership the organisation pressed demand to provide employment to the local youths of the nearby districts in Indravati Hydro & Irrigation Project and he was successful to a greater extent.
Mr. Das carried on the movement "SAVE FOREST" in a peaceful & non-violent way. He made the people aware of the adverse effects of cutting down the forest. He made the people aware of the ecological imbalance – the consequences being warming of the climate and reduction in rainfall. Subsequently it would ruin the agriculture & food security of thousands of people in the area. He appealed the forest dwellers i.e. the primitive tribes to protect the forest & wild animals from the clutches of illegal timber contractors & corrupt forest officials. He threatened the District Forest Administration against government’s faulty policy of auctioning of the timber trees. Though govt. went for auction of timber & bamboo, the contractors were not allowed to enter into the forest by the forest dwellers & nearby villagers. In a few months it became a mass movement & forests could be protected to a greater extent.
In 1983 he took up the farmers’ cause. He started farmers’ agitation in the district pressing people’s demands to waive all the bank loans of the marginal farmers who were affected due to drought in Kalahandi & other districts. Shri Kishan Pattnaik, a veteran socialist leader (Nehrujee called him Mini Lohia) & then Member of Parliament from Sambalpur Constituency was all along with him in the movement. He organized peaceful protests (Dharana) in front of the office of Collector in the district headquarter & B.D.O.s at Block headquarters in the entire district. Several farmers’ rallies were organized in the nook & corner of the district. Thousands of farmers joined the movement & in a few months it became a mass movement. The govt in the state was pressurized & some of the demands of the farmers were fulfilled.
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Wikipedia