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In 2024, he contested the UK general election for the Glasgow South constituency as a candidate of the Alba Party, a Scottish nationalist and pro-independence political party in Scotland.[3]
Early life and education
Dhruva Kumar was born in the Motihari district of Bihar, India.[4] He attended Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in his hometown before moving to Kota, Rajasthan, for higher secondary studies.[5]
In 2006, Kumar moved to Scotland, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Electronic Systems Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University, followed by advanced qualifications in education and leadership from the University of Dundee.[6]
His research has focused on autonomous shipping, integration of automation, and sustainable practices within maritime engineering.[7] He has also examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maritime education and training, proposing strategic frameworks to enhance the resilience of such systems.[8]
In addition to his academic work, Kumar has been active in political and social spheres in Scotland, contributing to discussions on education policy, skills development, and the challenges posed by automation and climate change in the shipping industry.[9]
Political career
An advocate for Scottish independence, Dhruva Kumar is involved in Scottish politics as a member of the Alba Party. He contested in the Glasgow South constituency during the UK general elections 2024 and serves as Media Coordinator for the Alba Friends of India group.[10] Kumar frequently engages in public debates and has written extensively on Indo-UK relations, racial and religious tolerance, and sustainable development. The Times reported on Kumar's selection by the Alba Party, highlighting his support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his history of making inflammatory social media remarks, including derogatory comments about "half breeds" and criticisms of the Nehru-Gandhi family.[11]
Political advocacy in Glasgow
Dhruva Kumar voiced strong opposition to the planned closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, describing it as a critical economic and industrial asset for Scotland. He highlighted the refinery's contributions to Scotland's GDP and employment, emphasizing the importance of preserving high-quality technical jobs in the region. Kumar called for immediate government intervention, including modernization investments and consideration of nationalization, to ensure the site's viability and alignment with net-zero goals. He labeled the closure an act of "industrial vandalism" and urged public and political action to prevent it.[12]
Contribution to combating Hinduphobia in Scotland
In April 2025, Dhruva Kumar, serving as General Secretary of the Gandhian Peace Society, co-authored a report titled Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice, which was presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice.[13] The report documented incidents of prejudice, including temple vandalism, workplace discrimination, and social marginalisation faced by Scotland’s Hindu community, which constitutes around 0.3% of the population.[14]
The findings formed the basis for Motion S6M-17089, tabled by MSP Ash Regan in April 2025, marking the first parliamentary motion in Scotland—and in the UK—to formally condemn Hinduphobia.[14] The motion received cross-party support and commended the Gandhian Peace Society’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue, social cohesion, and legislative measures for religious equality.[13] Kumar’s work has been described as a significant milestone in applying Gandhian principles of non-violence and social justice to institutional reform and awareness-raising on religious discrimination in Scotland.[13]
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