Udit Raj

Dr.
Udit Raj
Dr. Udit Raj
National Executive Member Bharatiya Janata Party[1]
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 February 2014
Member of the India Parliament
for North West Delhi
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 May 2014
Personal details
Born 1 January 1961
Ramnagar, Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political party Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s) Seema Raj
Children 1 son
1 daughter
Alma mater Jawaharlal Nehru University
Profession Politician, ex. irs, writer
Website Udit Raj
As of 22 March, 2014

Udit Raj is the Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), from North-west Delhi constituency and National Chairman, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations. He is one of the most influential leader of BJP and strong dalit leader, He is also an Indian Social Activist and member of National Executive (Special invitee) of Bharatiya Janata Party.[2] He was born in Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh into a low caste Hindu Khatik family,[3] and studied for BA at Allahabad University. He took admission at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 1980. He was selected for the prestigious Indian Revenue Service in 1988 and served as the Dy, Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Addl. Commissioner of Income Tax at New Delhi. On 24 November 2003 he declared his resignation from the Indian government service and formed a political party namely Indian Justice Party. He is a prominent activist working on behalf of India's Dalits.

He has joined Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 February 2014 in the presence of senior political leaders of BJP. In the past he had opposed BJP,[4] but now regards BJP to sympathetic to the Dalits and tribals.[5]

Elections

Dr. Udit Raj was BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate for North West Delhi.[6] and won the Parliamentary election results declared on 16 May 2014.

Early life

Udit comes from a Khatik family.[3] Right from his college days he has been actively participating in social and political activities which at times also affected his studies. He would always jump to the rescue of some student who was meted out injustice. Due to financial constraints he was forced to divert his attention from social activities and started preparing for Civil Services Examination which he cleared in 1988,being selected for the elite Indian Revenue Service. His first posting was at Ghaziabad as Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax in the year 1990. He was transferred to Delhi in 1995 where he served at the reputed posts of Deputy Commissioner, Joint commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax.

In the year 1997, five Anti-reservation orders were issued by the government leading to a tumultuous situation in the country. Organizations of different intellectuals and various departments all over the country joined hands and All India Confederation of SC/ST Organization was formed. Dr Udit Raj was appointed as its National president. Under his leadership, various campaigns were initiated and demonstrations were held all over the country against the Anti-reservation orders. Various national level rallies were organised in Delhi during 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The media created competition between the rallies organised by him and BSP,which Dr Udit Raj turned in his favour.

Activism

He formed Indian Justice Party, The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations on 2 October 1997 and in 1996 founded the Lord Buddha Club. He got converted to Buddhism on in Nov, 2001 along with thousands of followers.

It was due to his efforts that the Atal Bihari Government passed the 81st, 82nd and 85th Constitutional Amendments which in turn led to the retrieval of reservation benefits.

He is a strong advocate of increased Reservation in India for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. In the past Raj had formed partnerships with Christian organisations including the Indian Social Institute and the All India Christian Council. Raj has worked with prominent Christian leaders such as John Dayal and Ambrose Pinto and with Muslim leaders such as Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. His Personal Secretary is C. L. Maurya. Besides, he is also a member of National Integration Council (of the Indian Government).

Controversies

Dr. Udit Raj has been a critic of Bharatiya Janata Party, but after joining BJP, he explained that he was convinced of the party's sincere interest in an inclusive growth of all the sections of the society including the welfare of the SC/ST and backwards sections beside upholding the integrity and unity of the nation.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dalit leader Udit Raj joins BJP". dna. 24 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Noted Dalit Activist Udit Raj joins Bharatiya Janata Party". IANS (news.biharprabha.com). Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Arpit Parashar (4 May 2011). "One more party for Dalits in Uttar Pradesh". tehelka.com.
  4. ↑ Dr. Udit Raj (22 June 2004). "Reservation For Dalits In Private Sector". countercurrents.org.
  5. ↑ "‘Dalits have bright future in BJP’". The Statesman. 5 March 2014.
  6. ↑ Pritam. "4th List of Candidates for Lok Sabha Election 2014". bjp.org.

External links