Om Prakash Dhankar also known as O. P. Dhankar (born 1 August 1961), was a
Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
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* Filing ...
Minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party run
Government of Haryana
The Government of Haryana, also known as the State Government of Haryana, or locally as the State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Haryana and its 22 districts. It consists of an executive, ceremonially le ...
till 2019., is an Indian politician and social activist, belonging to the
Bhartiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP; ; ) is a political party in India, and one of the two major Indian political parties alongside the Indian National Congress. Since 2014, it has been the ruling political party in India under Narendra Modi ...
(BJP) and formerly is the President of Bhartiya Janata Party, Haryana.
He is the national coordinator for the
Narendra Modi
Narendra Damodardas Modi (; born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the List of Prime Ministers of India, 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. Modi was the List of chief ministers of Gujarat, Chief Minist ...
’s dream project- ''
Statue of Unity
The ''Statue of Unity'' is the world's tallest statue, with a height of , located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy ...
'' Iron Collection Corporation Committee. O P Dhankar has been elected twice as BJP Kisan Morcha President (2011-2013), (2013-2015).
Early life and background
O.P. Dhankhar was born in Village
Dhakla, Jhajjar
Dhakla is a village located in Jhajjar district in the Indian state of Haryana. It has distance of 15.5 km from Kosli Railway Station and approximately 21 km from Jhajjar Railway Station.
Health & Education: Dhakla has Community He ...
district in 1961 in the family of Vaid Mohabbat Singh and Smt Chhoto Devi. His grandfather Shri Raghuvir Singh worked as a Station Master for
Indian Railways
Indian Railways (IR) is a statutory body under the ownership of Ministry of Railways, Government of India that operates India's national railway system. It manages the fourth largest national railway system in the world by size, with a tot ...
. The Philanthropic credentials of his family date back to his great grandfather who mobilized efforts to build the first school in his native village. Dhankhar received his elementary education from the village school before earning his Masters & M. Ed. from the
Maharishi Dayanand University
Maharshi Dayanand University, also called M.D. University or simply MDU, is a university in Rohtak, Haryana
Haryana (; ) is an Indian state located in the northern part of the country. It was carved out of the former state of East Punjab ...
,
Rohtak
Rohtak () is a city and the administrative headquarters of the Rohtak district in the Indian state of Haryana. It lies north-west of New Delhi and south of the state capital Chandigarh on National Highway 9 (India), NH 9(old NH 10). Rohtak fo ...
.
After his education, he served as a Geography Lecturer at
Bhiwani
Bhiwani is a city and a municipal council in Bhiwani district in the state of Haryana, Bhiwani was also known as "Gate of Rajputana". Besides being a seat of spiritual learning, the city is at the centre of regional politics and hometown of ...
for 11 years. As an academic, he published a book on analysis of education sector, with views on education reforms and issues concerning student lives.
Social work
He has been associated with
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( ; , , ) is an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organisation. The RSS is the progenitor and leader of a large body of organisations called the Sangh Parivar (Hindi for "Sangh family ...
(RSS) since 1978 as a
Swayamsevak
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( ; , , ) is an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organisation. The RSS is the progenitor and leader of a large body of organisations called the Sangh Parivar (Hindi for "Sangh family") ...
. In his words, he was driven by a mission and zeal to work for social causes and issues affecting youth and thus he worked for
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) () is a right-wing all India student organisation affiliated to the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
History
The ABVP, founded in 1948 with the initiative of the RSS ...
(ABVP) from 1980 to 1996. He was part of various socio political movements and worked for youth affairs concerning systemic change in education sector. Later, he joined
Swadeshi Jagaran Manch
The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch is a political and cultural pan-India movement that deals with economic issues. Since at least 2015 the SJM has been critical of foreign direct investment.
References
{{reflist
Political organisations based in I ...
movement. To establish his credentials as a keen observer of life and dynamics of a civilized society, Mr. Dhankar delivered a rendition on Emotions Management.
Given the skewed
sex ratio
The sex ratio (or gender ratio) is usually defined as the ratio of males to females in a population. As explained by Fisher's principle, for evolutionary reasons this is typically about 1:1 in species which reproduce sexually. Many species de ...
in Haryana and increasing instance of illegal trafficking of Bihari brides by Haryanavi males, O.P. Dhankhar advised a social solution and measured approach to resolve issues by developing bonds between Haryanvi and Bihari families through government intervention. This solution also courted controversy and there were opposing voices from Bihar leaders such as
Lalu Yadav
Lalu Prasad Yadav (born 11 June 1948) is an Indian politician and president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He is a former Chief Minister of Bihar (1990-1997), a former Railway Minister of India (2004-2009), and a former Member of Parliame ...
and
Sharad Yadav
Sharad Yadav (born 1 July 1947) is a politician from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party. He has been elected to Lok Sabha seven times and to Rajya Sabha thrice from JD(U). He was the first national president of Janata Dal (United) since its form ...
. However,
Sushil Modi
Sushil Kumar Modi (born 5 January 1952) is an Indian politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party who is a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He is a former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar as well as the Finance Minister of Bihar ...
supported O.P. Dhankhar on this issue.
Political career
His political association spans over 30 years.
He has held key positions such as State General Secretary, State President, National Secretary, and National President in various BJP and its affiliate organizations. After eighteen years of association with RSS, in 1996 he joined BJP and performed duties as a national secretary during
Vajpayee era. He was Pradesh Prabhari for
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh (; ; "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peak ...
and greatly contributed to BJP government formation in the hilly state. he was also actively involved in publication of BJP Haryana official magazine
Bhajpa Ki Baat' in 2002.
He has held various
padayatra
A padayatra ( sa, पादयात्रा, pādayātrā, journey by foot, translit-std=ISO) is a journey undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning ...
s and cycle yatras to agitate and protest against meager compensation and arbitrary land acquisition for
Special Economic Zone
A special economic zone (SEZ) is an area in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. SEZs are located within a country's national borders, and their aims include increasing trade balance, employment, increas ...
. BJP Kisan Morcha has been demanding for implementation of recommendation of MS Swaminathan Commission, whereby 50% profit on input cost should be given to farmers. BJP had even promised in its election manifesto to implement Swaminathan Commission recommendation.
National President of BJP’s Kisan Morcha
Om Prakash Dhankhar got elected as National President of BJP’s Kisan Morcha twice in a row. As national president of BJP’s Kisan Morcha, OP Dhankhar worked & raised a range of issues namely Land Acquisition, Pesticide Management, Farmer’s Suicide, Farming Reforms. Swaminathan Report Implementation etc. O.P. Dhankhar played a key role in bringing about a Land Acquisition Handbook which addresses issues of farmers and industry alike by allowing enough opportunity for industrial growth.
National Coordinator of Sardar Patel ''
Statue of Unity
The ''Statue of Unity'' is the world's tallest statue, with a height of , located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy ...
'', Iron Collection Corporation Committee
O.P. Dhankhar is National Coordinator, ''
Statue of Unity
The ''Statue of Unity'' is the world's tallest statue, with a height of , located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy ...
'', Iron Collection Corporation Committee. ''Statue of Unity'', Mr Narendra Modi’s dream project is touted to be the largest statue and an architectural marvel in the world. Iron and soil for the 182 metres tall statue of Sardar Patel, which will come up near the
Sardar Sarovar Dam
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a concrete gravity dam built on the Narmada River in Navagam near the town of Kevadiya, Narmada District, in the state of Gujarat, India. The dam was constructed to provide water and electricity to four Indian stat ...
on the
Narmada River, is being collected from farmers from across the country, thus making iron collection drive for the ''Statue Of Unity'' a nationwide socio cultural movement. Shri Narendra Modi assigned Mr Dhankhar a key role as the National Co-ordinator, Statue Of Unity, Iron Collection Corporation Committee.
2014 Rohtak Lok Sabha Election: Lost
In 2014, he contested from Rohtak Parliamentary constituency against the son of Chief Minister, Haryana,
Deepender Singh Hooda
Deepender Singh Hooda (born 4 January 1978) is an Indian politician and four-term MP from the Indian National Congress, who is the current Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha representing Haryana. He also served three terms as Member of Parliamen ...
. O.P. Dhankhar finished second with 319436 votes (31%) and the
Indian National Lok Dal
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is a political party in India, in the state of Haryana. INLD was founded in October 1996 as Haryana Lok Dal (Rashtriya) by Choudhary Devi Lal, who served as Deputy Prime Minister of India in the V.P. Singh's Cabin ...
candidate finished a poor third.
During Jhajjar Lok Sabha rally in April, Shri Narendra Modi has reportedly called O.P. Dhankhar as his close confidant and dedicated political leader who has effortlessly worked for last 30 years.
2014 Haryana Vidhan Sabha Election: Won
He successfully contested as BJP’s candidate from badli constituency (by garnering 36.48% of total polled votes) in the
2014 Haryana Legislative Assembly election
A general election was held on 15 October 2014 to elect 90 members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. The term of previous assembly elected in 2009 was to expire on 27 October 2014. The results were announced on 19 October. The BJP won the m ...
. Shri Om Prakash Dhankhar was a front runner claimant for the leadership position in the eventuality of BJP forming a government in Haryana in 2014 Assembly Elections. He led one of the legs of the four Vijay Sankalp Yatras organized by BJP for 2014 Haryana Assembly Elections.
2014: Cabinet Minister of Haryana
The
Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
Minister Om Prakash Dhankar has independent charge of the following 5 departments,
which makes him 4th most influential in
Government of Haryana
The Government of Haryana, also known as the State Government of Haryana, or locally as the State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Haryana and its 22 districts. It consists of an executive, ceremonially le ...
after
Chief Minister of Haryana
The Chief Minister of Haryana is the chief executive of the Indian state of Haryana. As per the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Following elect ...
Manohar Lal Khattar
Manohar Lal Khattar (born 05 May 1954) is an Indian politician serving as the 10th and current chief minister of Haryana. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a former RSS pracharak. He represents Karnal constituency in Harya ...
who holds 18 departments,
Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
Minister Captain Abhimanyu Singh Sindhu who holds 13 departments and
Cabinet Minister Ram Bilas Sharma
Ram Vilas Sharma (10 October 1912 – 30 May 2000) was a progressive literary critic, linguist, poet and thinker. He was born in Unchgaon Sani, Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh. In a career spanning nearly five decades, Sharma authored over 50 bo ...
who holds 9 departments.
*
Department of Agriculture, Haryana
Department may refer to:
* Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility
Government and military
*Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...
br>
Official website*
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, HaryanaOfficial website*
Department of Fisheries, Haryana
Department may refer to:
* Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility
Government and military
*Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...
br>
Official website*
Department of Development & Panchayats, HaryanaOfficial website*
Department of Irrigation, Haryana
Department may refer to:
* Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility
Government and military
*Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...
br>
Official website
References
External links
O P Dhankhar's official website
BJP Kisan Morach, official websiteBJP Haryana, official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhankar, O. P.
1961 births
Living people
Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Haryana
People from Jhajjar district
National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members
Asian agrarianists
Haryana MLAs 2014–2019
State cabinet ministers of Haryana
State Presidents of Bharatiya Janata Party