Bhakta Charan Das

• Dibakar Das (father)
• Bilasha Das (mother)

Bhakta Charan Das
President Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 February 2025
Education	B.A., LL.B.
Alma mater	Sambalpur University
Profession	Politician, Advocate, Journalist
Website	https://www.myneta.info/Odisha2024/candidate.php?candidate_id=235

Bhakta Charan Das (born 26 November 1958) 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

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

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.

Career

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

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

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.

See also

• Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
• Indian general election in Orissa, 2009
• Indian National Congress
• Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee

References

1. "Profile of Members". Government of India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
2. "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.
3. "Bhakta Charan Das appointed Odisha Congress president". Times of India. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
4. 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.
5. Pradhan, Surya Narayan (11 February 2025). "Congress President appoints Bhakta Charan Das as OPCC Chief". Sambad English. Retrieved 13 February 2025.