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Agni-IV

2026-08-06T19:01:08Z

206.84.238.9:

{{Short description|Indian intermediate-range ballistic missile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = ''Agni-IV''
| image = Agni-IV 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Agni-IV missile being launched from [[Abdul Kalam Island|Wheeler Island]], [[Odisha]].
| origin = India
| type = [[Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile]]
| used_by = [[Strategic Forces Command]]
| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| service = Active<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/agni-v-to-undergo-one-more-pre-induction-test/story-a9OcIgjWaRUyMbBoSOnM5M.html|title=Agni-V set to be inducted by December after one more test {{!}} india news|date=14 August 2018|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref>
| propellant = [[Solid fuel]]
| engine = Multi-stage [[Composite material|composite]] [[rocket motor]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aermech.in/agni-4-irbm-intermediate-range-ballistic-missileindian-armed-forces/|title=AGNI-4 IRBM (Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile), Indian Armed Forces|date=9 September 2015|website=AerMech.IN|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-22|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203842/https://aermech.in/agni-4-irbm-intermediate-range-ballistic-missileindian-armed-forces/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| weight = {{Convert|17000|kg|lb}}<ref name=hindu4>{{cite news|title=Agni - IV successfully test fired|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2629274.ece|access-date=15 November 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 November 2011|location=chennai, India|first=T.S.|last=Subramanian}}</ref>
| length = {{convert|20|m|ft}}<ref name=hindu4/>
| diameter =
| speed =
| vehicle_range = 4,000 km<ref name="India Test Fires Long Range Strategic Missile Agni-IV">{{cite news |access-date=19 September 2012 |title=India Test Fires Long Range Strategic Missile Agni-IV |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=775628 |newspaper=The Outlook India |date=19 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922222319/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=775628 |archive-date=22 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article3914340.ece|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|title=Long range strategic missile Agni-IV test-fired |date=19 September 2012}}</ref>
| ceiling =
| altitude = {{convert|900|km|mi}}
| filling = Conventional, [[Thermobaric weapon|thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon]]
| guidance = [[Ring laser gyroscope|RLG]]-[[Inertial navigation system|INS]] + redundant micro-INS and [[digital control]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-4/|title=Agni-4|website=Missile Threat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>
| filling_weight = 800 kg<ref name=armytech>{{cite news|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/agniballisticmissile/?cf-view |title=Agni Ballistic Missile System |access-date=2024-04-30 |publisher=Army Technology}}</ref>
| detonation =
| launch_platform = 8 × 8 [[transporter erector launcher]]/Rail Mobile Launcher
| accuracy = <100 m [[Circular error probable|CEP]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-4/ | title=Agni-4}}</ref>
}}[[File:Agni missile range.svg|thumb|301px|Range comparison of Agni missiles]]

'''Agni-IV''' ({{Lit|[[Agni|Fire]]}}) is the fourth in the [[Agni (missile)|Agni series]] of [[missiles]] which was earlier known as ''Agni II prime''. It has been developed by India's DRDO and displayed a number of new technologies and significant improvement in missile technology. The missile is light-weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=http://livefist.blogspot.in/2011/11/video-todays-successful-agni-iv-test.html |title=Livefist: VIDEO: Today's Successful Agni-IV Test |access-date=19 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423150723/http://livefist.blogspot.in/2011/11/video-todays-successful-agni-iv-test.html |archive-date=23 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With 4,000 km range,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/india/|title=Missiles of India|website=Missile Threat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> it is capable of striking targets in nearly all of mainland China, if launched from northeastern part of India.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Indian nuclear forces, 2017 |first1=Hans M.|last1=Kristensen|first2=Robert S.|last2=Norris|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=73|issue=4|pages=205–209|doi=10.1080/00963402.2017.1337998|year = 2017|bibcode=2017BuAtS..73d.205K|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Development==

This missile is one of a kind, proving many new technologies for the first time, and represents a significant leap in India's missile technology. The missile is lighter in weight and uses a [[Multistage rocket|two-stage]] [[rocket engine]] powered by [[Solid-propellant rocket|solid propellant]]. The Composite Rocket Motor which has been used for the first time has given excellent performance. The missile system is equipped with modern and compact [[avionics]] with [[Redundancy (engineering)|redundancy]] to provide a high level of reliability. The indigenous-built [[ring laser gyroscope]] is used in the high accuracy with Micro Inertial Navigation System (MINGS), which complement each other as a redundancy.<ref name="th2">{{cite news|last=Subramanian|first=T.S.|title=Agni-IV missile successfully test fired|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agniiv-missile-successfully-test-fired/article5596563.ece|access-date=20 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 January 2014|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The high performance onboard computer with distributed Avionics architecture, high speed reliable communication bus and a full [[Digital Control]] System have controlled and guided the missile to the target. The missile reached the target with a high level of accuracy. Radars and electro-optical systems along the Coast of Odisha have tracked and monitored all the parameters of the missile. Two Indian Naval ships located near the target witnessed the final event.

Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Director General DRDO, who witnessed the launch, congratulated all the scientists and employees of DRDO and the Armed Forces for the successful launch of AGNI-IV. Sri Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles & Strategic Systems), DRDO and Programme Director of AGNI, while addressing the scientists after the launch, called it as a new era in the modern Long Range Navigation System in India. He said, "this test has paved the way ahead for the success of [[Agni-V]] Mission, which will be launched shortly".

Project Director of Agni-IV, [[Tessy Thomas]] with her team prepared and integrated the missile system and launched the missile successfully. According to her, DRDO has produced and proven many new state of the art technologies in the Missile System like Composite Rocket Motors, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System, Micro Navigation System, Digital Controller System and very powerful onboard computer system. The missile, having capability to carry strategic nuclear warheads for the forces, has provided a fantastic deterrence to the country and it will be produced in numbers and delivered to the Armed Forces as early as possible. Sri S.K. Ray, Director RCI, Sri P. Venugopalan, Director DRDL, Dr V.G. Sekaran Director ASL and Sri S.P. Dash, Director ITR were also present during the launch and reviewed all the activities.

The DRDO had produced and proven many new state of the art technologies with the Agni-IV like composite rocket motors, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System, Micro Navigation System, Digital Controller System and very powerful onboard computer system.<ref name=autogenerated1/>
Agni-IV bridges the gap between [[Agni-II]] and [[Agni-III]]. Agni IV can carry a warhead of 1 tonne. It is designed to increase the kill efficiency along with a higher range performance. Its length is 20 meters and launch weight 17 tonnes. It can be fired from a road mobile launcher.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx |title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile |work=Hindustan Times |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=15 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116001820/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bhubaneshwar/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-IV-missile/Article1-769286.aspx |archive-date=16 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-tests-nuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/10737019.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707193531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-tests-nuclear-capable-surface-to-surface-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/10737019.cms|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|title=India tests nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile|work=The Times of India|date=15 November 2011}}</ref>
Efforts are being made to fine-tune the Agni missiles to defeat anti-ballistic missile systems. The [[radar cross-section]] and other detectable signatures of Agni-IV have been significantly reduced to make them much more immune to counter-measures.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eyeing-China-India-to-enter-ICBM-club-in-3-months/articleshow/10761860.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419150207/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-17/india/30409335_1_agni-v-agni-iv-agni-programme-director|url-status=live|archive-date=19 April 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Eyeing China, India to enter ICBM club in 3 months |date=17 November 2011}}</ref>

==Testing==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="3" |Date/Time
([[Indian Standard Time|IST]])
! rowspan="2" |Operator
!Launch Site
!Outcome
|-
!Payload
!Function
|-
! colspan="3" |Remarks
|-
| rowspan="3" |15 November 2011:
0900 IST
| rowspan="2" |[[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]]
|[[Integrated Test Range|ITR]]
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |Agni-IV was successfully test fired for the first time, from a road-mobile launcher at 9{{nbsp}}am from [[Wheeler Island (India)|Wheeler Island]] off the coast of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. The missile followed its trajectory, attained a height of about 900 km and reached the pre-designated target in international waters of the [[Bay of Bengal]]. All mission objectives were fully met. All systems functioned perfectly till the end encountering re-entry temperatures of more than {{convert|3000|C|F}}.<ref name="autogenerated1" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |19 September 2012
1148{{nbsp}}IST
| rowspan="2" |DRDO
|ITR
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Live warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |The missile was successfully test-fired again for its full range of 4,000 km from the Wheeler Island, off the [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] coast.<ref>{{cite news|title=India test-fires nuclear-capable strategic missile Agni-IV|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-strategic-missile-Agni-IV/articleshow/16461208.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022124829/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-19/india/33951612_1_india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-wheeler-island-agni-iv|url-status=live|archive-date=22 October 2012|access-date=19 September 2012|date=19 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|location=Balasore (Orissa), India}}</ref> The missile lifted off from a road mobile launcher and after zooming to an altitude of over 800 km, it re-entered the atmosphere and impacted near the pre-designated target in the Indian Ocean with remarkable degree of accuracy following a 20-minute flight. Carrying a payload of explosives weighing a tonne, the missile re-entered the atmosphere and withstood searing temperatures of more than {{convert|3000|C|F}}.<ref name="India Test Fires Long Range Strategic Missile Agni-IV" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article3914340.ece|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|title=Long range strategic missile Agni-IV test-fired|access-date=19 September 2012|date=19 September 2012}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |20 January 2014
| rowspan="2" |DRDO
|ITR launch complex 4
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |The missile was test-fired in the actual weapon and road-mobile configuration of the [[Strategic Forces Command]] (SFC).The missile traveled a vertical distance of 850 km and covered its full range of 4,000 km. The onboard ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS) and the micro-navigation system (MINGS) enabled the missile to fall within 100 meters of its target. The re-entry shield withstood outside temperatures as high as {{Convert|4000|C|F}}, enabling the avionics to work at less than {{convert|50|C|F}} inside.<ref name="th2" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Agni-IV test successful, ready for induction|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agni-IV-test-successful-ready-for-induction/articleshow/29133752.cms|access-date=21 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=21 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2 December 2014
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |The missile was successfully test-fired by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). This was the first user trial and fourth consecutive successful flight.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agni-IV launch successful|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agniiv-launch-successful/article6654494.ece|access-date=2 December 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 December 2014}}</ref> The missile has been inducted into the Indian Army following this trian.<ref>{{cite news|title=India successfully tests nuclear capable Agni IV missile|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/india-successfully-tests-nuclear-capable-agni-iv-missile/article6656285.ece|access-date=1 February 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|date=3 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |9 November 2015
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |Agni IV was successfully test-fired as part of a user trial by the tri-Service Strategic Forces Command (SFC). According to DRDO officials, the missile met all mission parameters.<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ballistic-missile-Agni-IV-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial/articleshow/49720522.cms|title=Ballistic missile Agni-IV test-fired as part of user trial|access-date=9 November 2015|newspaper=Times of India|date=9 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ballistic missile Agni-IV test-fired as part of user trial off Odisha coast|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ballistic-missile-agni-iv-test-fired-as-part-of-user-trial-off-odisha-coast/|access-date=9 November 2015|newspaper=Times of India|date=9 November 2015}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2 January 2017
1155 IST
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR launch complex 4
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |Agni IV was successfully test-fired as part of a user trial by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) at 11:55{{nbsp}}am from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island. According to DRDO officials, the user trial met all mission objectives.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-successfully-test-fires-agni-iv-missile/articleshow/56291127.cms|title=India successfully test-fires Agni IV missile - The Economic Times|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Agni-IV-missile-successfully-test-fired/article16977450.ece|title=Agni-IV missile successfully test fired|last=Subramanian|first=T.S.|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/agni-iv-india-nuclear-capable-ballistic-missile-test-fired-successfully-drdo/493804/|title=Agni IV nuclear-capable ballistic missile test-fired successfully|date=2 January 2017|newspaper=The Financial Express|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |23 December 2018
0835 IST
| rowspan="2" |DRDO
|ITR launch complex 4
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
| -
|-
| colspan="3" |The Agni IV was successfully test fired from Launch Complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island at around 8:35{{nbsp}}am.<ref>{{cite web | agency=Press Trust of India | title=Nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile successfully test-fired |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nuclear-capable-agni-iv-missile-successfully-test-fired-1415683-2018-12-23 |website=India Today |access-date=28 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |6 June 2022 1930 IST
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR launch complex
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
|Inert warhead
|-
| colspan="3" |A successful training launch of an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Agni-IV was carried out at approximately 19.30 pm hours on 6 June from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha{{nbsp}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=BalasoreJune06 |first1=Press Trust of India |last2=June 06 |first2=Press Trust of India |last3=Ist |first3=Press Trust of India |title=Nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile successfully test-fired |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nuclearcapable-agni-4-ballistic-missile-successfully-tested-from-in-odisha-101654527929059.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=6 June 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |6 September 2024
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
| -
|-
| colspan="3" |Successful launch was carried out from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The test was conducted by [[Strategic Forces Command]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=India successfully carries out launch of Agni-4 Ballistic Missile - The Economic Times |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/defence-ministry-successfully-launches-agni-4-ballistic-missile/articleshow/113133502.cms |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=m.economictimes.com}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |6 August 2026:
| rowspan="2" |SFC
|ITR
| rowspan="2" |'''Success'''
|-
| -
|-
| colspan="3" |Succesfull missile readiness firing from the Integrated Test Range. The test was conducted by [[Strategic Forces Command]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Negi |first=Manjeet |date=2026-08-06 |title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile off Odisha coast |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agni-4-missile-user-trial-india-validates-nuclear-capable-ballistic-missile-odisha-2965349-2026-08-06 |access-date=2026-08-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-08-06 |title=Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile test-fired from Odisha |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/agni-4-ballistic-missile-successfully-test-fired/article71313883.ece |access-date=2026-08-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Rocketry|Nuclear technology}}
{{Aircontent
|see also=
*[[India and weapons of mass destruction]]
*[[DF-26]]
|related=
*[[Agni I]]
*[[Agni II]]
*[[Agni III]]
*[[Agni V]]
*[[Agni-P]]
*[[Agni VI]]
|lists=
*[[List of nuclear weapons]]
*[[List of states with nuclear weapons]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
#[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO9GGurO6rA&feature=player_embedded Video of Agni IV test]
#[https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r08WRuFOvpM/TsIMlozN-3I/AAAAAAAAOIQ/8ROJQhBXH1A/s1600/ITR_7570-753822.JPG Picture of Agni IV being launched]

{{Indian missiles}}
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}

[[Category:Ballistic missiles of India]]
[[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

2026-08-05T11:39:01Z

206.84.238.9:

{{Short description|Proposed legislation to amend India's foreign contribution regulation law}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}
{{Infobox legislation
|legislature = [[Parliament of India]]
|image = Emblem of India.svg
|imagesize = 125px
|imagealt = State Emblem of India
|long_title = A Bill further to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
|citation =
|introduced_by = Ministry of Home Affairs
|bill = The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
|bill_date = 25 March 2026
|enacted_by =
|date_passed =
|status = Pending
|related_legislation = [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010]]
}}
The '''Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026''' is a proposed amendment to the [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010]] introduced in the [[Lok Sabha]] on 25 March 2026 by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. The Bill seeks to create a framework for the supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets of organisations whose FCRA registration certificate is cancelled, surrendered or ceases to be valid, and to rationalise penalties under the Act.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
As of early August 2026 the Bill remains pending before Parliament. It was listed for consideration during the Monsoon Session that began on 20 July 2026 and is scheduled to continue until mid-August, though it had not yet been taken up for debate amid disruptions over other issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliament Monsoon Session 2026: Legislative Reforms |url=https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2026/07/20/parliament-monsoon-session-2026-legislative-reforms/ |publisher=SCC Online |date=20 July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 Explained: What The Government Wants To Change And Why It Has Opposition and Churches Up In Arms |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fcra-amendment-bill-2026-explained-what-the-government-wants-to-change-and-why-it-has-opposition-and-churches-up-in-arms-article-155301443 |work=Times Now |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== Background ==
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution and foreign hospitality in India. Registration under the Act is valid for five years and must be renewed. Over the years successive governments have amended the Act and its rules to tighten monitoring of foreign funds flowing to non-governmental organisations, citing concerns of national security, sovereignty and transparency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Explained: How the FCRA regulates foreign funding and what the 2026 amendments mean |url=https://ddindia.co.in/2026/07/explained-how-the-fcra-regulates-foreign-funding-and-what-the-2026-amendments-mean/ |publisher=DD India |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
In 2024–25 approximately 16,200 associations received ₹22,963 crore in foreign contributions under the FCRA regime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government allays fears over FCRA Bill, clarifies on designated authority |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-allays-fears-over-fcra-bill-clarifies-on-designated-authority/article71255050.ece |work=The Hindu |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref> According to Ministry of Home Affairs data, 13,520 organisations received ₹55,741 crore between 2019 and 2022. As of 15 July 2026 the FCRA portal recorded 14,449 active certificates, 22,498 cancelled registrations and 15,212 deemed expired.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. lawmaker voices concern on FCRA amendments; says could hit bilateral ties with India |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-lawmaker-voices-concern-on-fcra-amendments-could-hit-bilateral-ties-with-india/article71308192.ece |work=The Hindu |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
Nearly 22,000 organisations had lost their FCRA registration by early 2026 through cancellation or non-renewal, leaving significant foreign-funded assets without a clear statutory framework for management under the earlier law.<ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 Explained: What The Government Wants To Change And Why It Has Opposition and Churches Up In Arms |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fcra-amendment-bill-2026-explained-what-the-government-wants-to-change-and-why-it-has-opposition-and-churches-up-in-arms-article-155301443 |work=Times Now |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== Key provisions ==
The Bill amends several sections of the 2010 Act and inserts a new Chapter IIIA dealing with vesting of foreign contribution and assets.
=== Cessation of certificate ===
An FCRA certificate ceases to be valid if it is cancelled by the Central Government, surrendered by the organisation, not renewed before its expiry, or if a renewal application is not made or is refused. Cancellation may be ordered for reasons including incorrect statements, violation of conditions of the certificate, public interest, or failure to engage in reasonable activity for two consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Designated Authority and vesting of assets ===
The Bill establishes a Designated Authority to take provisional control of foreign contributions and of assets created wholly or partly out of foreign contributions when a certificate ceases. If registration is not restored, renewed or freshly granted within the prescribed period, the vesting becomes permanent. Permanently vested assets may be transferred to government departments or agencies or disposed of by sale, with the proceeds credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2026/Foreign_Contribution_Bill_2026_Text.pdf |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
Special provision is made for places of worship: the Designated Authority must ensure that their religious character is maintained and may entrust their management to prescribed persons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government allays fears over FCRA Bill, clarifies on designated authority |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-allays-fears-over-fcra-bill-clarifies-on-designated-authority/article71255050.ece |work=The Hindu |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Bill explained: Why US lawmaker Riley Moore raised concerns over churches |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-fcra-bill-riley-moore-church-assets-christian-charities-2963844-2026-08-05 |work=India Today |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
Orders of the Designated Authority are subject to revision by the Central Government and appeal before a District Judge.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Key functionaries ===
The definition of “key functionary” is expanded to cover directors of companies, partners of firms, trustees, the karta of a Hindu undivided family, office-bearers and any person responsible for the management or control of the organisation. Key functionaries are made liable for offences committed by the organisation unless they prove that the offence was committed without their knowledge or that they had exercised all due diligence.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Penalties and investigation ===
The maximum term of imprisonment for contravention of the Act is reduced from five years to one year. No investigation into an offence under the Act can be initiated by any agency without the prior approval of the Central Government.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Prior permission ===
Foreign contribution received under the prior-permission route must be utilised within a time period prescribed for the specific purpose and source.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 |publisher=PRS Legislative Research |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== Related Rules, 2026 ==
On 22 June 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026. These rules require registration certificates to specify the precise purpose and the state or Union Territory of operation, mandate demonstration of utilisation of at least ₹10 lakh of foreign contribution over the preceding two years for renewal, expand disclosure requirements (including social media accounts and ultimate donors), and ordinarily bar foreign nationals other than persons of Indian origin or Overseas Citizens of India from serving as key functionaries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Centre amends FCRA rules for receiving foreign funds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-amends-fcra-rules-for-receiving-foreign-funds/article71134901.ece |work=The Hindu |date=June 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref> The rules also introduce a prescribed Schedule of permissible activities and exclude proselytisation from eligible religious purposes while listing other permitted religious activities such as maintenance of places of worship and religious education.<ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Bill explained: Why US lawmaker Riley Moore raised concerns over churches |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-fcra-bill-riley-moore-church-assets-christian-charities-2963844-2026-08-05 |work=India Today |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== Legislative history and status ==
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2026. Consideration was deferred amid protests by opposition parties. It has been listed among the bills to be taken up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that began on 20 July 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliament Monsoon Session 2026: Legislative Reforms |url=https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2026/07/20/parliament-monsoon-session-2026-legislative-reforms/ |publisher=SCC Online |date=20 July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Bill 2026: Why opposition is protesting Centre’s proposed foreign funding law |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/fcra-bill-2026-why-opposition-is-protesting-centre-s-proposed-foreign-funding-law-13980430.html |publisher=Moneycontrol |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref> As of 5 August 2026 the Bill had not been taken up for debate, with the session disrupted by other controversies, though the government retained the numbers to pass it in both Houses if it chose to press for a vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 Explained: What The Government Wants To Change And Why It Has Opposition and Churches Up In Arms |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/fcra-amendment-bill-2026-explained-what-the-government-wants-to-change-and-why-it-has-opposition-and-churches-up-in-arms-article-155301443 |work=Times Now |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== Reactions ==
=== Government ===
The Central Government has stated that the Bill strengthens oversight of foreign funding, closes loopholes relating to assets of organisations that lose FCRA registration, and aligns Indian practice with global standards of transparency. It has clarified that the Designated Authority deals only with assets created from foreign contributions, that places of worship retain their religious character, and that the legislation does not target any particular religious community. Union Home Minister [[Amit Shah]] assured leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India that the Bill would not be applied retrospectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amit Shah assures church leaders that FCRA Bill will not be applied retrospectively |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amit-shah-assures-church-leaders-that-fcra-bill-will-not-be-applied-retrospectively/article71210969.ece |work=The Hindu |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA bill aims to bolster oversight, not target any religion: Centre |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fcra-bill-aims-to-bolster-oversight-not-target-any-religion-centre-101784485934518.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Curbs on foreign funding not uniquely Indian, says govt, cites laws elsewhere |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/curbs-on-foreign-funding-not-uniquely-indian-says-govt-cites-laws-elsewhere-ahead-of-bill-to-tweak-fcra/articleshow/132567703.cms |work=The Times of India |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Civil society and human rights organisations ===
Civil society organisations and human rights groups have criticised the Bill and the accompanying Rules. Amnesty International has argued that the measures expand state control over the activities, operations and leadership of foreign-funded organisations and undermine the right to freedom of association.<ref>{{cite web |title=India: New foreign funding rules tighten control over civil society and undermine the right to freedom of association |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2026/07/india-fcra-tighten-control-civil-society-undermine-freedom-of-association/ |publisher=Amnesty International |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Christian organisations and churches ===
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and other Christian bodies have expressed concern about the possible impact on charitable and educational institutions and have urged withdrawal or substantial modification of the proposals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Catholic bishops body urges Amit Shah to withdraw Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/catholic-bishops-body-urges-hm-to-withdraw-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill/3849721 |publisher=Press Trust of India |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
In the Northeast, church bodies in Mizoram have mounted sustained opposition. The Council of Churches in Mizoram, representing nine major denominations including the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church of Mizoram, announced a protest march in Aizawl on 11 August 2026, stating that certain provisions could adversely affect churches and voluntary organisations dependent on foreign assistance. The Mizoram government and state church leaders also decided to submit a joint memorandum to the Centre seeking changes to the Bill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mizoram churches to march against proposed FCRA Amendment Bill on Aug 11 |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/mizoram-churches-to-march-against-proposed-fcra-amendment-bill-on-aug-11-1614954 |work=The Assam Tribune |date=30 July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FCRA Bill: Mizoram church council to hold protest march on Aug 11 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/fcra-bill-mizoram-church-council-to-hold-protest-march-on-aug-11/articleshow/132742655.cms |work=The Times of India |date=30 July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== Political parties ===
Opposition parties have described the Bill as draconian. On 1 July 2026 the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Central Government to withdraw both the Bill and the Amendment Rules, citing concerns relating to federalism, constitutional rights and the functioning of voluntary organisations in the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kerala Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to repeal amendments to FCRA rules |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-assembly-passes-resolution-urging-centre-to-repeal-amendments-to-fcra-rules/article71169404.ece |work=The Hindu |date=1 July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref> Several opposition leaders have called for an all-party meeting to discuss the legislation before it is taken up for consideration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Convene all-party meet on delimitation, FCRA bills: Derek O’Brien to PM Modi |url=https://theprint.in/india/convene-all-party-meet-on-delimitation-fcra-bills-derek-obrien-to-pm-modi/2990553/ |work=ThePrint |date=July 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
=== International responses ===
On 4 August 2026 United States Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, criticised the proposed amendments in a post on X, describing them as a “clear attack against Christians” and warning that they could become a point of major concern in India–United States bilateral relations. He stated that the changes would permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities despite Christianity’s long history in India dating to St Thomas the Apostle.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. lawmaker voices concern on FCRA amendments; says could hit bilateral ties with India |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-lawmaker-voices-concern-on-fcra-amendments-could-hit-bilateral-ties-with-india/article71308192.ece |work=The Hindu |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=US Congressman Riley Moore says India's FCRA bill could hit bilateral ties |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/us-congressman-riley-moore-says-india-fcra-bill-could-hit-bilateral-ties-says-clear-attack-on-christians-2963722-2026-08-05 |work=India Today |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
The Vishva Hindu Parishad responded by accusing Moore of “rumour mongering” and asking him to identify the specific provisions that permit government takeover of churches or constitute an attack on Christians. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal stated that the amendments would curb the misuse of foreign funds for illegal religious conversion, anti-India activities and political purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=VHP asks US lawmaker to stop 'Rumour Mongering' on FCRA bill |url=https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/vhp-asks-us-lawmaker-to-stop-rumour-mongering-on-fcra-bill-65384.html |publisher=Awaz The Voice |date=5 August 2026 |access-date=5 August 2026}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010]]
* [[List of non-governmental organisations in India]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2026/Foreign_Contribution_Bill_2026_Text.pdf Text of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026]
* [https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2026 PRS Legislative Research page on the Bill]
* [https://fcraonline.nic.in/ Official FCRA website]
[[Category:Proposed legislation of India]]
[[Category:2026 in Indian law]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:Non-governmental organisations in India]]

Prashant Kishor

2026-08-05T04:35:34Z

206.84.238.9:

{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1977)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Prashant Kishor
| image = Prashant Kishor during a press conference on Bihar Assembly elections.jpg
| caption = Kishor in 2025
| constituency = [[Bankipur Assembly constituency|Bankipur]]
| office = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor = [[Nitin Nabin]]
| term_start = 3 August 2026
| office1 = Founder of [[Jan Suraaj Party]]
| predecessor1 = ''Position established''
| term_start1 = 2 October 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|03|20|df=y}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi University, Johns Hopkins, Engineering, UN Job: What Are Prashant Kishor's Educational Qualifications? |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/education/delhi-university-johns-hopkins-engineering-un-job-what-are-prashant-kishors-educational-qualifications-article-153147870 |work=Times Now |date=13 November 2025 |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>
| birth_place = Konar, [[Rohtas district|Rohtas]], Bihar, India
| occupation = {{ubl|Politician|[[Political strategist]] (former)|Public Health Specialist (former)}}
| spouse = Jahnavi Das<ref>{{cite news |title='इनकी वजह से चिंतामुक्त होकर बिहार में कर पा रहा पदयात्रा', प्रशांत किशोर ने पहली बार कराया अपनी डॉक्टर पत्नी का परिचय |url=https://www.aajtak.in/bihar/story/prashant-kishor-introduced-his-doctor-wife-jahnavi-das-in-a-womens-convention-in-patna-lcln-2021147-2024-08-26 |work=AajTak |language=hi |date=26 August 2024 |access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref>
| children = 1
| party = [[Jan Suraaj Party]] (2022–present)
| other_party = [[Janata Dal (United)]] (2018–2020)<ref name="JDU vp"/>
| website = {{URL|https://www.jansuraaj.org}}
| education = • [[University of Lucknow|University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh]] ([[BBA]]) • [[Administrative Staff College of India|ASCI]], Hyderabad ([[Master of Health Administration|MHA]]; Programme developed in collaboration with [[Johns Hopkins University]], USA, and [[P. D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre|Hinduja Hospital]])(Post Graduation) • [[:fr:Centre d'approches vivantes des langues et des médias|CAVILAM Vichy]], [[University of Clermont-Ferrand]], France (Intensive French Language Course)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myneta.info/Bihar2025/candidate.php?candidate_id=2966|title=Affidavit Information of Candidate - Prashant Kishor|website=www.myneta.info}}</ref>
}}

'''Prashant Kishor'''{{efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|p|r|ə|ˈ|ʃ|ɑː|n|t|_|k|ɪ|ˈ|ʃ|ɔːr}} {{respell|pruh|SHAHNT|_|ki|SHOR}}; {{IPA|hi|prəˈʃɑːnt̪ kɪˈʃoːɾ|lang}}}} (born 20 March 1977), colloquially known as '''PK''', is an Indian politician currently serving as the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] representing [[Bankipur Assembly constituency|Bankipur assembly constituency]], [[Patna]], [[Bihar]]. He is a former [[political strategist]], political advisor, consultant, and the founder of the [[Jan Suraaj Party]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Karthikeyan |first1=Ragamalika |title=It's a win for Prashant Kishor too — but is there a 'magic touch'? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/it-s-win-prashant-kishor-too-there-magic-touch-148179 |access-date=20 March 2022 |work=The News Minute |date=2 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He worked in public health in a [[United Nations]] funded programme for eight years before venturing into Indian politics and working as a political strategist.<ref name=htorg>{{cite news |title=Election Guru Prashant Kishor Join's Nitish Kumar's JD(U) |url=https://headlinestoday.org/national/bihar/2852/election-guru-prashant-kishor-joins-nitish-kumars-jdu/ |access-date=16 September 2018 |agency=Headlines Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916172501/https://headlinestoday.org/national/bihar/2852/election-guru-prashant-kishor-joins-nitish-kumars-jdu/ |archive-date=16 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/poll-strategist-prashant-kishor-joins-jdu/article24960430.ece|title=Poll strategist Prashant Kishor joins JD(U)|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=16 September 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 September 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Kishor has worked as a successful political strategist for several political parties including the [[BJP]], [[JD(U)]], [[Indian National Congress|INC]], [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]], [[YSR Congress Party|YSRCP]], [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] and [[All India Trinamool Congress|TMC]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Prashant Kishor joins Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/9OIiymycdDZV5K15dVMAwM/Prashant-Kishor-joins-Nitish-Kumars-Janata-Dal-United.html |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=Livemint |date=16 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Prashant Kishor becomes Advisor to Bihar CM|url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/prashant-kishor-becomes-advisor-to-bihar-cm/article8138749.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 22 January 2016|access-date = 28 January 2016|issn = 0971-751X|language = en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Singh |first1=Shweta |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/politics/prashant-kishor-is-he-really-a-master-poll-strategist-31720/|title=Prashant Kishor- Is He Really A Master Poll Strategist?|date=5 November 2021}}</ref> His first major political campaign was in 2011 to help [[Narendra Modi]], then [[Chief Minister of Gujarat]] get re-elected to the CM Office for a third time in the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/politics/sweet-revenge-how-prashant-kishor-took-on-mighty-modi-shah-machine-ruined-bjp-plans/650751/|title='Sweet revenge': How Prashant Kishor took on mighty Modi-Shah machine & ruined BJP plans|website=[[ThePrint]] |date=2 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/prashant-kishor-the-man-who-created-modi-wave-is-nitish-s-deputy-1369031-2018-10-16|title = Prashant Kishor, the man who created Modi wave, is Nitish's deputy| date=16 October 2018}}</ref> In 2024, he launched the Jan Suraaj Party in Bihar and contested the [[2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]]. In 2026, he won the by-election for Bankipur assembly constituency.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=3 August 2026 |title=Bye Election to Assembly Constituencies: Results August-2026 |url=https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcByeAugust2026/candidateswise-S04182.htm |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2026 |website=Election Commission of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260803135620/https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcByeAugust2026/candidateswise-S04182.htm|archive-date=3 August 2026}}</ref>

==Early life==
Kishor was born on 20 March 1977, Konar village of [[Rohtas district]], [[Bihar]] to Shrikant Pandey, a physician and Sushila Pandey, a homemaker.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part of Prashant Kishor's house in Bihar demolished for road widening project |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/part-of-prashant-kishors-house-in-bihar-demolished-for-road-widening-project/article33831036.ece |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |date=13 February 2021 |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=नहीं रहे प्रशांत किशोर के पिता, दिल्ली में हुआ निधन |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bihar/patna/news/jdu-leader-prashant-kishor-father-pass-away-01546823.html |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi |date=2019 |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=पिता थे कांग्रेसी, मां पॉलिटिक्स के खिलाफ और बीवी...PK की लाइफ से जुड़ी ये बातें जानते हैं आप? |url=https://www.abplive.com/photo-gallery/news/india-prashant-kishor-family-do-you-know-these-things-about-jansuraaj-pk-life-2653979 |work=ABP Live |language=hi |date=1 April 2024 |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=डेस्क |first=एबीपी न्यूज़ |date=26 June 2024 |title=आप ब्राह्मण हो, बिहार में कैसे चलेगा? इस सवाल पर क्या बोले प्रशांत किशोर |url=https://www.abplive.com/news/india/prashant-kishor-on-caste-politics-in-bihar-how-brahman-fit-2723543 |access-date=23 July 2025 |website=www.abplive.com |language=hi}}</ref> He later moved to [[Buxar district|Buxar]] where he completed his secondary education.
Then completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from [[ University of Lucknow]]. Then he completed his Master of Healthcare Management (MHA) from Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad SHMPD in Collaboration with [[Johns Hopkins University]], USA & Hinduja Hospital in 2001-2003.
<ref name="News18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/jdu-may-field-prashant-kishor-from-buxar-in-2019-polls-to-set-up-clash-against-rjds-jagdanand-singh-1879029.html|title=JD(U) May Field Prashant guhani from Brahmin Bastion Buxar in 2019|website=News18|date=16 September 2018|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

== Career ==
Kishor worked in public health<ref name="The Economic Times">{{cite news |last1=K |first1=Sruthijith K. |date=7 October 2013 |title=Prashant Kishor: Meet the most trusted strategist in the Narendra Modi organisation |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prashant-kishor-meet-the-most-trusted-strategist-in-the-narendra-modi-organisation/articleshow/23614928.cms |access-date=20 March 2022 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> programmes funded by the [[United Nations]] for eight years till 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2025 |title=Prashant Kishor educational qualification and career path: From UN public health expert to India's top political strategist |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/prashant-kishor-educational-qualification-and-career-path-from-un-public-health-expert-to-indias-top-political-strategist/articleshow/124808266.cms |access-date=13 November 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He worked as the head of social policy and planning at [[UNICEF]] in [[Chad]], heading a UN aid mission, when he prepared a paper documenting economic prosperity and malnutrition in India.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Srishti |last2=Doval |first2=Nikita |date=16 November 2015 |title=Relearning Indian politics, the Prashant Kishor way |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/z8ecilJSX0cpgom8dzZzeM/Relearning-Indian-politics-the-Prashant-Kishor-way.html |work=Mint |access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref> The paper reportedly was sent to then prime minister [[Manmohan Singh]], and also caught the attention of [[Narendra Modi]], the then chief minister of Gujarat, who invited Kishor for a meeting which led to Kishor joining Modi's team as a political strategist.<ref name=":3" />

==Work as a political strategist==
Kishor has worked as a political strategist for many Indian political parties helping them win elections. It is said that he has been a Kingmaker, ensuring the victory of six chief ministers within six years of his work.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nakade |first=Shreya |title=प्रशांत किशोर पर छापे क्यों नहीं पड़ते |url=https://dainik.bhaskar.com/u1GELuRXpXb |work=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]}}</ref>

He started his work with the BJP in 2011. Kishor worked reportedly [[Pro bono|''pro'' bono]], and without holding any office in the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) or [[Gujarat Government]], Kishor worked as a [[political strategist]] for BJP's pre-election campaign in [[2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election]] and [[2014 Lok Sabha election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prashant-kishor-meet-the-most-trusted-strategist-in-the-narendra-modi-organisation/articleshow/23614928.cms?intenttarget=no|title=Prashant Kishor: Meet the most trusted strategist in the Narendra Modi organisation|last=K|first=Sruthijith K.|date=7 October 2013|work=The Economic Times|access-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010111449/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/prashant-kishor-meet-the-most-trusted-strategist-in-the-narendra-modi-organisation/articleshow/23614928.cms?intenttarget=no|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Kishor co-founded Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG), a media and publicity company in preparation for the May 2014 general election of India, with Robbin Sharrma and others.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vishnoi |first=Anubhuti |date=7 March 2019 |title=Ex-Modi and Nitish campaign head joins team Priyanka Gandhi |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/ex-modi-and-nitish-campaign-head-joins-team-priyanka-gandhi/articleshow/68296531.cms |work=The Economic Times |access-date=30 October 2023 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vadlapatla |first=Sribala |date=25 February 2020 |title=Former Prashant Kishor aide joins N Chandrababu Naidu's team as key strategist |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/former-pk-aide-joins-naidus-team-as-key-strategist/articleshow/74291273.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=30 October 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Venugopal |first1=Vasudha |title=Narendra Modi's Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG): Will it be disbanded or play bigger role? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/narendra-modis-citizens-for-accountable-governance-cag-will-it-be-disbanded-or-play-bigger-role/articleshow/35131371.cms |access-date=16 September 2018 |agency=The Economic Times |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd |date=15 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916130520/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/narendra-modis-citizens-for-accountable-governance-cag-will-it-be-disbanded-or-play-bigger-role/articleshow/35131371.cms |archive-date=16 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kishor and his team were credited with formulating an innovative marketing and advertising campaign for Narendra Modi, the ''Chai Pe Charcha'' discussions,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/cheat-sheet/narendra-modi-to-launch-chai-pe-charcha-campaign-today-550542|title=Narendra Modi to launch 'chai pe charcha' campaign today|work=NDTV.com|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202440/https://www.ndtv.com/cheat-sheet/narendra-modi-to-launch-chai-pe-charcha-campaign-today-550542|archive-date=8 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 3D rallies, Run for Unity,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |author=Sruthijith KK |title=Meet the nonprofit whose backroom work powered Modi to victory |url=http://scroll.in/article/667401/meet-the-nonprofit-that-did-the-backroom-work-to-power-modi-to-victory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119214042/http://scroll.in/article/667401/meet-the-nonprofit-that-did-the-backroom-work-to-power-modi-to-victory |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=9 October 2017 |work=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Manthan'' and several social media programmes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/prashant-kishor-modi-ghar-wapsi-bjp-lok-sabha-election-2019-congress-rahul-gandhi/story/1/22589.html|title=Prashant Kishor teaming up with Modi for 2019 general elections reeks of desperation|website=www.dailyo.in|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202403/https://www.dailyo.in/politics/prashant-kishor-modi-ghar-wapsi-bjp-lok-sabha-election-2019-congress-rahul-gandhi/story/1/22589.html|archive-date=8 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, he helped [[Nitish Kumar]] led [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] win the [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2022 |title='He has temerity to offer gyan to me': Prashant Kishor slams Nitish Kumar, says he refused to lead his party |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/today-he-has-temerity-to-offer-gyan-to-me-prashant-kishor-slams-nitish-kumar-says-he-refused-to-lead-his-party-11389431.html |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> Kishor joined the [[Janata Dal (United)]] on 16 September 2018 as the vice-president of the party.<ref name="htorg" /><ref name="JDU vp">{{cite news |title=Prashant Kishor is JD(U) vice-president |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/prashant-kishor-is-jdu-vice-president/article25242411.ece |work=The Hindu |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref> Kishor and other CAG members regrouped as I-PAC to work with Nitish Kumar, in a bid to win a third term as chief minister in the Bihar Legislative Assembly election.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Prashant Kishor: Man pivot of PM Narendra Modi campaign in talks to help steer JD(U) in Bihar election |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-05-20/news/62413210_1_pm-narendra-modi-nitish-kumar-prashant-kishor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115205855/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-05-20/news/62413210_1_pm-narendra-modi-nitish-kumar-prashant-kishor |archive-date=15 November 2015 |access-date=19 February 2016 |website=timesofindia-economictimes }}</ref> The claims were that Kishor dramatically influenced the strategy, resources and alliances for the campaign.<ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{cite web |title=Backroom boy who changed the rules |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151109/jsp/nation/story_52204.jsp#.VqIH_fl97VQ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117151633/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151109/jsp/nation/story_52204.jsp#.VqIH_fl97VQ |archive-date=17 November 2015 |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="TELE1">{{cite news |last=Thakur |first=Sankarshan |date=23 July 2015 |title=Modi's ace versus Modi's ex-mace |work=The Telegraph |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150723/jsp/frontpage/story_33229.jsp |access-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119195824/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150723/jsp/frontpage/story_33229.jsp |archive-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Upon winning the Bihar elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar named Kishor as his advisor for planning and programme implementation, tasked with identifying ways to implement the seven-point agenda that was promised during Kumar's election campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anuja |date=22 January 2016 |title=Prashant Kishor appointed Nitish Kumar's advisor |work=[[Live Mint]] |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/If4Zf4EeO7eaPc5fjWkPEP/Prashant-Kishor-appointed-Nitish-Kumars-advisor.html |access-date=1 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Manish |first=Sai |date=11 March 2017 |title=Behind Congress' Punjab election win: Prashant Kishor's behind-the-scenes magic at display |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/behind-congress-punjab-election-win-prashant-kishor-s-behind-the-scenes-magic-117031100224_1.html |access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref> In 2020, Kishor was involved with the [[2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tewary |first1=Amarnath |date=21 February 2020 |title=Bihar Opposition leaders meet Prashant Kishor |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-opposition-leaders-meet-prashant-kishor/article30883288.ece |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rohit Kumar |date=23 February 2020 |title=Baat Bihar Ki: Prashant Kishor's ambitious campaign for Bihar to be launched today |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/baat-bihar-ki-prashant-kishor-campaign-youth-launch-1648185-2020-02-20 |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>

In 2016 the [[Indian National Congress]] employed Kishor for the [[2017 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2016 |title=Uttar Pradesh elections: For third time this year, Congress seeks list of likely candidates |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-elections-for-third-time-this-year-congress-seeks-list-of-likely-candidates-4414215/ |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> However, these elections were a failure for Congress and Kishor as BJP won more than 300 seats and Congress could only manage seven seats. This was also the first and only time Kishor failed to help a party win the elections.<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Sanjay |title=Prashant Kishor: Master strategist who sank the Congress ship in Uttar Pradesh |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/prashant-kishor-master-strategist-who-sank-the-congress-ship-in-uttar-pradesh-3334376.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430224318/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/prashant-kishor-master-strategist-who-sank-the-congress-ship-in-uttar-pradesh-3334376.html |archive-date=30 April 2017 |work=Firstpost |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>

Kishor has successfully worked with several other political parties in India as well including [[Amarinder Singh]] for the [[2017 Punjab Legislative Assembly election]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=How Captain Amarinder Singh Won Punjab: Here's the Inside Story |language=en |work=The Quint |url=https://www.thequint.com/politics/2017/03/28/how-congress-campaign-won-punjab-election |url-status=live |access-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330003214/https://www.thequint.com/politics/2017/03/28/how-congress-campaign-won-punjab-election |archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |title=Amarinder-Prashant Kishor 'Jodi' Ensured Congress' Punjab Comeback |language=en |work=The Quint |url=https://www.thequint.com/punjab-elections-2017/2017/03/12/capt-amarinder-prashant-kishor-jodi-clicked-for-congress-in-punjab-rahul-gandhi-arvind-kejriwal-ipac-modi-nitish |url-status=live |access-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330010532/https://www.thequint.com/punjab-elections-2017/2017/03/12/capt-amarinder-prashant-kishor-jodi-clicked-for-congress-in-punjab-rahul-gandhi-arvind-kejriwal-ipac-modi-nitish |archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The man who won Punjab: breaking down Captain Amarinder's path to victory |language=en |work=CatchNews.com |url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/the-man-who-won-punjab-breaking-down-captain-amarinder-s-path-to-victory-54968.html |url-status=live |access-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330003023/http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/the-man-who-won-punjab-breaking-down-captain-amarinder-s-path-to-victory-54968.html |archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> [[Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy]] for the [[2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election]],<ref>{{Cite web |author=Nitin B. |date=24 March 2019 |title=Inside I-PAC's war room for Jagan Mohan Reddy's Chief Ministerial campaign |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/inside-i-pacs-war-room-jagan-mohan-reddys-chief-ministerial-campaign-98878 |access-date=18 July 2019 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> [[Arvind Kejriwal]] for the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jeelani |first1=Gulam |date=12 February 2020 |title=How AK-62 fired on all cylinders |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/delhi-assembly-polls-2020/story/aap-arvind-kejriwal-2020-delhi-election-results-1645569-2020-02-12 |access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> [[Mamata Banerjee]] for the [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |date=22 February 2020 |title='Adviser' Prashant Kishor has altered political discourse of Mamata's TMC |language=en |work=Business Standard |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/adviser-prashant-kishor-has-altered-political-discourse-of-mamata-s-tmc-119110601735_1.html |access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=ANI |date=10 April 2021 |title=Prashant Kishor's leaked audio chat increases political temperature in Bengal, TMC hits out at BJP |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prashant-kishors-leaked-audio-chat-increases-political-temperature-in-bengal-tmc-hits-out-at-bjp/articleshow/82006817.cms |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> and [[M. K. Stalin]] for the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]] as well.<ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |date=3 February 2020 |title=DMK teams up with Prashant Kishor's I-PAC for 2021 Tamil Nadu polls |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmk-teams-up-with-prashant-kishor-s-i-pac-for-2021-tami-nadu-polls-1642677-2020-02-03 |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>

After announcing his retirement from election strategy work in 2021, Kishor began informally advising [[Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam|TVK]] president [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] ahead of the [[2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]], working alongside the party's existing strategist John Arokiasamy. At TVK's first-anniversary event in Mahabalipuram in February 2025, Kishor said, "I am not here to help my brother, my friend, Vijay. Because he doesn't need that help. He is a new hope for Tamil Nadu and that is why I am here" framing his involvement as personal rather than strategic. TVK, contesting its first election, won 108 of 234 seats, short of a majority but enough to become the state's single-largest party, a result widely credited in Indian media to Kishor's involvement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prashant Kishor meets actor-politician Vijay, likely to advise him for 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/prashant-kishor-meets-actor-politician-vijay-likely-to-advise-him-for-2026-tamil-nadu-assembly-polls-3398990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Play this when results come': Prashant Kishor's prediction on Vijay goes viral after TVK surge |work=Business Today |date=5 May 2026 |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/elections/tamil-nadu/story/play-this-when-results-come-prashant-kishors-prediction-on-vijay-goes-viral-after-tvk-surge-529820-2026-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=From Ridicule to Reality: Prashant Kishor's Bold Vijay Prediction Gains Ground in Tamil Nadu |work=Open |url=https://openthemagazine.com/india/from-ridicule-to-reality-prashant-kishors-bold-vijay-prediction-gains-ground-in-tamil-nadu}}</ref>
=== Electoral debut ===

Kishor contested his first election from Bankipur in the 2026 by-election, which he won by a margin of 19,324 votes.<ref name=":5" /> The seat was vacated when the previous MLA [[Nitin Nabin]] resigned after his election to the [[Rajya Sabha]], following his elevation as the BJP national president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=30 March 2026 |title=BJP chief Nitin Nabin resigns as Bihar MLA |url=https://theprint.in/india/bjp-chief-nitin-nabin-resigns-as-bihar-mla/2891961/ |access-date=3 August 2026 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hebbar |first=Nistula |date=2026-01-20 |title=The PM’s new ‘boss’: Nitin Nabin takes over as BJP president |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nitin-nabin-appointed-bjp-president-headquarters-modi-ministers-jan-20-2026/article70528270.ece |access-date=2026-08-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Kishor thanked the voters of the constituency and stated his intention to work towards Bihar's development. He further remarked that the election result reflected the public's expectations for leadership focused on improving education and generating employment in the state.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Prashant Kishor Makes Stellar Electoral Debut From BJP's Bihar Stronghold Bankipur
|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/prashant-kishor-makes-stellar-electoral-debut-from-bjps-bihar-stronghold-bankipur-11859733
|work=NDTV
|date=3 August 2026
|access-date=3 August 2026
}}</ref>

=== Retirement ===

After the win of the [[Trinamool Congress|All India Trinamool Congress]] in the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election and [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Kishor declared that he was quitting as an election strategist.<ref name="NDTV_May2021">{{cite news |last1=Jain |first1=Sreenivasan |last2=Ghosh |first2=Deepshikha |title=NDTV Exclusive: Bengal Won, Prashant Kishor Says "Quitting This Space" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-assembly-election-result-2021-prashant-kishor-tells-ndtv-results-may-seem-one-sided-but-it-was-a-tough-fight-on-trinamool-congresss-show-i-2426363 |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=NDTV |date=3 May 2021}}</ref> In an interview with [[NDTV]] on 2 May 2021, Kishor told anchor [[Sreenivasan Jain]] on live TV, "I do not want to continue what I am doing. I have done enough. Time for me to take a break and do something else in life. I want to quit this space."<ref name="NDTV_May2021"/>

== Personal life ==
Kishor is married to Jahnavi Das, a physician hailing from [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]. The couple have a son together.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 June 2021 |title=लेडी डॉक्टर पर दिल हार बैठे थे PK, रचाई शादी, जानिए कौन हैं प्रशांत किशोर की पत्नी |url=https://www.jansatta.com/photos/picture-gallery/prashant-kishor-lovestory-wife-marriage-family-know-all-about-love-and-lifestory-of-pm-narendra-modi-nitish-kumar-mamata-banerjee-political-strategist-pk/1745129/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Jansatta |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 September 2018 |title=बिहार से राजनीति में कदम रखने वाले प्रशांत किशोर के बारे में यह बातें नहीं जानते होंगे आप |url=https://www.amarujala.com/india-news/prashant-kishore-is-all-set-to-start-his-new-journey-from-bihar-know-some-facts-about-him |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}</ref>

== Jan Suraaj ==
{{Main|Jan Suraaj}}
A year later on 2 May 2021, Kishor hinted toward the formation of a political outfit of his own with a tweet that said that it was time to go to the "Real Masters, The People" and on the path of "Jan Suraaj-Peoples Good Governance{{Sic}}"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hebbar |first=Nistula |date=2 May 2022 |title=Prashant Kishor announces plans for political outfit, says 'beginning from Bihar' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prashant-kishor-announces-plans-for-political-outfit-says-beginning-from-bihar/article65374909.ece |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>similar to his previous campaign titled "''Baat Bihar Ki''". Kishor announced a 3,000 km [[Padyatra]] which would take place across Bihar, and would involve Kishor meeting with people from all across the state.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tripathi |first1=Piyush |title=Prashant Kishor announces 3,000-km Padyatra from Bapu's 'Karmbhumi' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prashant-kishor-announces-3000-km-padyatra-from-bapus-karmbhumi/articleshow/91352719.cms |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=5 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The "Padyatra" took place under his "Jan Suraaj Padyatra" campaign. One of the stated goals of the campaign was to form a political party, which he estimated would fight its first election in the [[2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shandilya |first=Shivam |date=4 December 2023 |title=Bihar Assembly Polls: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj To Contest On All 243 Seats In 2025 |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/bihar-assembly-polls-prashant-kishor-jan-suraaj-to-contest-on-all-243-seats-in2025-10118134 |work=Dainik Jagran |access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>

On 2 October 2024, Kishor announced the Jan Suraaj campaign as a formal political party, which was named as the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tewary |first=Amarnath |date=5 September 2024 |title=Prashant Kishor's upcoming Jan Suraaj party may contest bypolls in Bihar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/prashant-kishors-upcoming-jan-suraaj-party-may-contest-bypolls-in-bihar/article68609576.ece |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2025/10/08/brad-battin-needs-to-cover-a-few-more-yards/|title=Brad needs to cover few more yards |publisher= The Indian Sun|date=8 October 2025 }}</ref> On 9 October 2025, JSP released its first candidate list of 51 candidates for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly, followed by the second list with 71 more candidates.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jan Suraaj Party Candidates List for Bihar Elections 2025: Who is in first list of Prashant Kishor's political party |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/candidates-list-for-bihar-assembly-election-2025-jan-suraaj-party-candidates-10297350/ |work=The Indian Express |date=9 October 2025 |access-date=11 October 2025}}</ref> It was speculated that he would contest an election from the [[Raghopur Assembly constituency|Raghopur assembly constituency]], but on 14 October, Kishor confirmed that he will not contest.The party did not win any seats in the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Chandrashekar |date=17 November 2025 |title='Zero Seats, 99% Candidates Flopped': BJP Mocks Prashant Kishor's Poll Debut |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-election-results-bihar-assembly-election-news-prashant-kishor-jan-suraaj-party-flops-bihar-election-bjp-amit-malviya-x-9648711 |work=NDTV |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> The party won its first seat when Kishor won the Bankipur by-election in 2026.<ref name=":5" />

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.jansuraaj.org/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kishor, Prashant}}
[[Category:Jan Suraaj Party politicians]]
[[Category:UNICEF people]]
[[Category:Indian officials of the United Nations]]
[[Category:1970s births]]
[[Category:Indian campaign managers]]
[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Bihar]]
[[Category:2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:People from Rohtas district]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Janata Dal (United) politicians]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Kumkum Bhagya

2026-08-04T16:26:21Z

206.84.238.9:

{{short description|Indian drama television series}}
{{protection padlock|reason=Persistent addition of [[WP:INTREF|unsourced or poorly sourced content]]; requested at [[WP:RfPP]]|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Original_leads_of_Kumkum_Bhagya.jpg
| creator = [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| genre = [[Drama]] [[Romance film|Romance]]
| developer = [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| writer = {{ubl|Manoj Tripathi|Pravesh Joshi|'''Dialogues:'''|[[Dheeraj Sarna]]|Vikash tiwari|'''Lyrics:'''|Manpreet Singh Arshi}}
| story = Anil Nagpal
| screenplay = Anil Nagpal Mrinal Tripathi 
| director = Ishmail Umar Khan [[Ravindra Gautam]] Sameer Kulkarni Sharad Pandey Jeetu Arora Deepak Chavan Shahnawaz Khan Khalid Akhtar Muzammil Desai Nitesh Mishra
| creative_director = Shaalu Nitin Dhall Rajan Prachi Tanya Rajesh Kiran Gupta Ashwini Pai Rohit Burman Ankush Kumar Ashna Srivastava
| starring = {{ubl| [[Sriti Jha]] [[Shabir Ahluwalia]] 
Krishna Kaul [[Mugdha Chaphekar]] [[Rachi Sharma]] [[Abrar Qazi]] [[Pranali Rathod]] Akshay Bindra [[Namik Paul]]}}
| theme_music_composer = Lalit Sen Nawab Arzoo
| composer = Binod Ghimre Arnab Dutta
| open_theme = ''"O Rabba Ki Karaan"'' by Pamela Jain
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 3,208
| executive_producer = {{ubl|Tanushree Das Gupta|Gautam Kumar|Samar Ashok Thakur}}
| producer = [[Ekta Kapoor]] [[Shobha Kapoor]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Sense and Sensibility]]''|[[Jane Austen]]<ref name="Sensibility">{{Cite news |date=3 June 2015 |title=Why Ekta Kapoor tore off Kumkum Bhagya's script 5 times? – The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Why-Ekta-Kapoor-tore-off-Kumkum-Bhagyas-script-5-times/articleshow/35602374.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604185707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Why-Ekta-Kapoor-tore-off-Kumkum-Bhagyas-script-5-times/articleshow/35602374.cms |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=9 May 2019 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>}}
| cinematography = Sanjay Memane Anil Katke Shambhu Ojha Ganesh Sankla Chandrashekhar Nagarkar
| camera = [[Multi-camera]]
| runtime = 22-40 minutes
| editor = {{ubl|Vishwa Bandhu Giri|Vishal Sharma|Vikas Sharma|Harish B. Awasthi}}
| company = [[Balaji Telefilms|Balaji Telefilms Limited]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|04|15|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2025|09|21|df=y}}
| related = ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]'' ''[[Bhagya Lakshmi]]''
| network = [[Zee TV]]
| image_alt =
| caption =
| list_episodes =
}}

'''''Kumkum Bhagya''''' ({{translation|''Vermillion in My Fate''}}) is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language drama television series produced by [[Ekta Kapoor]] under [[Balaji Telefilms]].<ref name="IExp">[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ekta-kapoor-brings-another-love-story-on-tv-with-kumkum-bhagya/ Ekta Kapoor brings another love story on TV with 'Kumkum Bhagya'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228104055/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ekta-kapoor-brings-another-love-story-on-tv-with-kumkum-bhagya/ |date=28 February 2014 }} The Indian Express.Retrieved on 15 September 2014.</ref> It aired from 15 April 2014 to 21 September 2025 on [[Zee TV]] and digitally streams on [[ZEE5]].<ref name="hindustantimes.com">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-to-replace-pavitra-rishta/article1-1180207.aspx Kumkum Bhagya to replace Pavitra Rishta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022090026/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-to-replace-pavitra-rishta/article1-1180207.aspx |date=22 October 2014 }} Hindustan Times, Retrieved on 15 September 2014.</ref> It starred [[Sriti Jha]], [[Shabir Ahluwalia]], [[Mugdha Chaphekar]], Krishna Kaul, [[Rachi Sharma]], [[Abrar Qazi]], [[Pranali Rathod]] and [[Namik Paul]] in lead roles. One of the [[List of longest-running Indian television series|longest running Indian television soap opera]], the concept of the show was originally based on [[Jane Austen]]'s novel ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]''.<ref name=Sensibility/>

==Plot==
The series begins with Pragya Arora, a college lecturer, and Abhishek “Abhi” Mehra, a wealthy rock star, whose marriage is arranged through family intervention. Their relationship is initially strained due to manipulations by Abhi’s sister Aliya and his former partner Tanu. The narrative follows repeated misunderstandings, conspiracies, memory-loss incidents, and separations. Despite numerous obstacles, Pragya and Abhi reconcile multiple times. The birth of their twin daughters, Prachi and Rhea, coincides with another major separation, leading to the children being raised apart.

After a twenty-year leap, the story focuses on Prachi Arora and Rhea Mehra, who grow up unaware they are twin sisters. Prachi develops a relationship with Ranbir Kohli, while Rhea’s feelings for him create rivalry. Family interference and concealed truths complicate their lives until the sisters’ true parentage is revealed. Although Abhi and Pragya briefly reunite with their daughters, continued misunderstandings affect the family. Prachi eventually marries Ranbir, but their relationship faces many challenges arising from Ranbir's family, Rhea's obsession for Ranbir and many other misunderstandings.

A further leap introduces Prachi and Ranbir’s daughters, Khushi and Poorvi. Raised in different circumstances due to family conflict, the sisters’ lives unfold amid hidden identities and inherited tensions. Poorvi’s relationship with Rajvansh Malhotra becomes central to this phase. As past grievances resurface, the family once again confronts separation and reconciliation.

Another generational transition introduces new protagonists, including Prarthana Parikh and Shivansh Randhawa, whose lives intersect through family and business alliances connected to earlier characters. Their relationship is shaped by mistrust, rivalry, and concealed motives. While legacy figures appear intermittently, the storyline centres on the younger generation navigating conflicts rooted in the family’s past, continuing the series’ recurring themes of destiny and reunion.

==Cast==
===Main===
* [[Sriti Jha]] as Pragya Arora Mehra: Raghuveer and Sarla's eldest daughter; Preeta, Bulbul and Shrishti's elder sister; Abhishek's wife; Kiara, Prachi and Rhea's mother (2014–2021; 2023)
* [[Shabir Ahluwalia]] as Abhishek "Abhi" Mehra: Prem and Santoshi's son; Alia's brother; Pragya's husband; Kiara, Prachi and Rhea's father (2014–2021; 2023)
* [[Mugdha Chaphekar]] as Prachi Arora Kohli: Abhishek and Pragya's second daughter; Kiara's younger and Rhea's elder twin sister; Ranbir's wife; Khushi and Poorvi's mother (2019–2024)
* Krishna Kaul as Ranbir Kohli: Vikram and Pallavi's son; Prachi's husband; Khushi and Poorvi's father (2019–2024)
* [[Rachi Sharma]] as Poorvi Kohli Malhotra: Ranbir and Prachi's younger daughter; Khushi's younger sister; Rajvansh's wife; Prarthana's mother (2023–2025)
* [[Abrar Qazi]] as Rajvansh "RV" Malhotra: Harman and Harleen's younger son; Vikrant's brother; Poorvi's husband; Prarthana's father (2023–2025)
* [[Pranali Rathod]] as Prarthana Parikh Randhawa: Rajvansh and Poorvi's daughter; Shivansh's wife (2025)
* [[Namik Paul]] as Shivansh Randhawa: Smita's son; Prarthana's husband (2025)

===Recurring===
* [[Mrunal Thakur]] as Bulbul Arora Khanna: Sarla and Raghuveer's third daughter; Pragya and Preeta's younger sister; Purab's first wife (2014–2016)
* [[Supriya Shukla]] as Sarla Arora: Raghuveer's widow; Pragya, Bulbul, Preeta and Shrishti's mother (2014–2018)
* Madhu Raja as Daljeet Kaur Arora: Raghuveer's mother (2014–2018)
* Jasjeet Babbar as Janki: The Aroras' handmaiden; Poorvi's mother (2014–2018)
* [[Arjit Taneja]] as Purab Khanna: Abhi's best friend; Bulbul's widower; Disha's ex-husband; Alia's husband; Sunny and Aryan's father (2014–2016)
**[[Vin Rana]] replaced Taneja as Purab (2016–2021)
* [[Madhurima Tuli]] as Tanushree "Tanu" Mehta: Alia's best friend (2014)
** [[Leena Jumani]] replaced Tuli as Tanu (2014–2021)
* Akshay Bindra as Raunak Zaveri: Kanti and Smita's son (2025)
* Kanupriya Pandit as Sweety: Pragya and Bulbul's aunt (2014)
* Faisal Rashid as Suresh Shrivastav: Rachna's brother (2014–2015)
* Daljeet Soundh as Daljeet Kaur Mehra: Swarni and Indu's sister (2014–2018)
* Charu Mehra as Poorvi: Janki's daughter; Pragya and Bulbul's namesake sister (2014–2015)
* [[Neel Motwani]] as Corporator Neil Thakur (2014–2015)
* [[Shikha Singh]] as Alia Mehra Khanna: Santoshi and Prem's daughter; Abhishek's sister; Purab's third wife and Aryan's mother (2014–2020)
**[[Reyhna Malhotra]] replaced Singh as Alia (2020–2023)
* Shivaani Sopuri as Parminder "Pammi" Kaur Mehra: Ajay's wife (2014–2021)
* Ajay Trehan as Ajay Mehra: Daljeet's elder son; Prem's brother (2014–2020)
* [[Ankit Mohan]] as Akash Mehra: Parminder and Ajay's younger son (2014–2016)
* [[Aditi Rathore]] as Rachna Shrivastav Mehra: Suresh's sister (2014–2016)
* Zarina Khan as Inderjit Kaur Suri: Daljeet and Swarni's sister (2014–2020)
* Radha Israni as Swarni Dasi: Abhi, Alia, Raj and Akash's grand-aunt (2014–2018)
**Asha Sharma replaced Israni as Swarni (2018–2020)
* [[Anurag Sharma (actor)|Anurag Sharma]] as Raj Mehra: Parminder and Ajay's elder son (2014–2021)
* [[Samikssha Batnagar]] as Mitali Mehra: Raj's wife (2014)
**Swati Anand replaced Batnagar as Mitali (2014–2021)
* Haelyn Shastri as News Reporter (2015)
* Nikhil Arya as Nikhil Sood: Tanu's ex-lover (2015{{Endash}}2017)
**Rajat Dahiya replaced Arya as Nikhil (2017{{Endash}}2018)
**[[Shaad Randhawa]] replaced Dahiya as Nikhil (2018–2019)
* Bobby Khanna as Mr. Mehta: Tanu's father (2015–2017)
* Roma Lavani as Mrs. Mehta: Tanu's mother (2015–2018)
* Pratik Parihar as Manohar: Abhi's accountant who schemed against Pragya (2016)
* [[Vijay Kashyap]] as Raghuveer Arora: Daljeet's son; Sarla's husband; Pragya, Bulbul, Preeta and Shrishti's father (2017)
* [[Nitin Goswami]] as Dushyant Rana: Simonica's husband who was accidentally killed by Abhishek (2017–2018)
* [[Ruchi Savarn]] as Disha Singh: Purab's ex-wife; Sunny's mother (2017–2019)
* Sharhaan Singh as Sangram Singh Chautala: Disha's ex-fiancé (2017–2018)
* [[Vivana Singh]] as Simonica Dushyant Rana: Dushyant's widow (2017–2018)
* Shwetanshu Singh as Dr. Sheila (2017)
* [[Mishal Raheja]] as King Singh: A rapper based in the UK; Pragya's former boss and one-sided lover (2018–2019)
* Kaurwaki Vasistha as Kiara Mehra: Pragya and Abhi's eldest daughter; Prachi and Rhea's elder sister (2018–2019)
* Vedansh Jaju as Sunny Khanna: Purab and Disha's son (2018–2019)
* [[Richa Rathore]] as Neha "Babli" Mehra: Mitali and Raj's daughter (2018)
* Abeer Adil as Tarun: King's cousin; Neha's husband (2018–2019)
* Roma Bali as Tarun's mother: King's aunt (2018–2019)
* [[Naina Singh]] as Rhea Mehra: Pragya and Abhi's youngest daughter; Kiara and Prachi's younger sister (2019{{Endash}}2020)
**[[Pooja Banerjee]] replaced Singh as Rhea (2020{{Endash}}2022)
**[[Tina Philip]] replaced Banerjee as Rhea (2022{{Endash}}2023)
* [[Mehul Kajaria]] as Vikram Kohli: Daljeet's eldest son; Vikrant and Arun's elder brother; Pallavi's husband; Ranbir's father (2019{{Endash}}2021)
**[[Rushad Rana]] replaced Kajaria as Vikram (2021{{Endash}}2023)
* Khyati Keswani as Pallavi Kohli: Vikram's wife; Ranbir's mother (2019–2023)
* [[Kiran Bhargava]] as Daljeet "Dida" Kohli: Vikram, Vikrant and Arun's mother; Ranbir, Siddharth and Mihika's grandmother (2019{{Endash}}2022)
**Smita Shetty replaced Bhargava as Daljeet "Dida" (2022-2023)
* Pooja Singh as Mishti Kohli: Vikram and Pallavi's daughter; Ranbir's sister (2019)
* Jaanvi Sangwan as Beeji: A [[nurse]] who took Pragya in after the latter's exile; Shahana's paternal grandmother (2019)
* Aparna Mishra as Shahana Sharma: Beeji's granddaughter; Pragya's niece-figure; Prachi's sister-figure; Aryan's love interest (2019–2023)
* Zeeshan Khan as Aryan Khanna: Alia and Purab's son; Sunny's half-brother (2019{{Endash}}2021)
**Pulkit Bangia replaced Khan as Aryan (2022{{Endash}}2023)
**Naveen Sharma replaced Bangia as Aryan (2023)
* [[Ashlesha Sawant]] as Meera: Rhea's foster mother and Abhi's ex-fiancé (2019–2021)
* [[Manmohan Tiwari]] as Rohit "Sanju" Gill: A local gangster of [[Hoshiarpur]]; Prachi's obsessive one-sided lover (2019–2020)
* Ashwini Tobe as Dimpy: Rhea's friend (2019–2020)
* Shivali Choudhry as Shaina: Rhea's friend (2019–2022)
* [[Neena Cheema]] as Sarita Ben: A Gujrati women who gave refuge to Pragya and Prachi; Rishi's maternal grandmother (2019{{Endash}}2020)
**Rupa Divetia replaced Cheema as Sarita Bengaluru (2020{{Endash}}2021)
* Gautam Nain as Rishi Dhaval: Sarita's grandson (2019)
* Kajal Chauhan as Priyanka Rane: Abhi's friend's daughter; Rishi's obsessive lover (2019)
* [[Sonali Joshi]] as Chief Minister Vasudha (2019)
* [[Ribbhu Mehra]] as Ritik: Disha's friend and secret lover (2019)
* [[Baby Farida|Farida Dadi]] as Baljeet Mehra: Abhi, Raj, Akash and Alia's grand-aunt (2020–2021/2023)
* Rose Khan as Maya Choubey: Ranbir's ex-fiancée (2020)
* [[Manish Khanna]] as Dushyant Singh Choubey: Maya's uncle (2020)
* Bhupendra Khuranna as Mr. Choubey: Maya's father, Dushyant's younger brother (2020)
* Anuradha Sharma as Mrs. Choubey: Maya's mother (2020)
* Naina Yadav as Palak: Prachi and Shahana's friend (2021)
* Gagan Anand as Digvijay: Abhishek's business rival (2021)
* Gazala Silawat as Pari: Rhea's friend (2021)
* Rohit Choudhary as Pradeep Khurana: Tanu's ex-husband (2021)
* [[Dolly Sohi]] as Sushma Tandon: A rich businesswoman and Pragya's mentor (2021)
* [[Vineet Kumar Chaudhary]] as Gautam Thapar: A businessman; Sushma and Pragya's business partner; Pragya's one-sided lover (2021)
* Jatin Shah as Gaurav Thapar: Gautam's elder brother (2021)
* Riyaz Panjwani as Mr. Thapar: Gaurav and Gautam's father (2021)
* Kushagra Nautiyal as Siddharth "Sid" Kohli: Vikrant's son; Mihika's brother and Rhea's ex-husband (2021–2023)
* Shamik Abbas as Arun Kohli: Daljeet's youngest son; Vikram and Vikrant's younger brother (2021)
* Mridula Oberoi as Teji Kohli: Arun's wife (2021)
* Abhishek Kumar as Jai Bhatt: Ranbir's best friend (2021–2022)
* Gulshan Shivani as Stanley: Ranbir's assistant (2022)
* Aishana Singh as Mihika Kohli: Vikrant's daughter; Siddharth's sister; Ranbir's cousin sister (2022–2023)
* Veronica Talreja as Mili: Aryan's ex-girlfriend and friend (2022)
* Mimicharve Khadse as Mauli: a girl whom Prachi loved as her own after she lost Panchi (2023)
* [[Aalisha Panwar]] as Kaya Malhotra: Ranbir's former boss and Prachi's friend (2023)
* Simran Budharup as Khushi "Panchi" Kohli Randhawa: Ranbir and Prachi's elder daughter; Poorvi's elder sister and Armaan's Wife (2023{{Endash}}2024)
**[[Jyotsna Chandola]] replaced Budharup as Khushi (2024-2025)
** Trisha Rohatgi as child Khushi (2023)
* [[Abhishek Malik]] as Akshay Tandon: Ashok's son; Mihika's brother (2023)
* Aafreen Dabestani as Mihika Tandon: Ashok's daughter; Akshay's sister (2023)
* Mallika Nayak as Manpreet Tandon: Ashok's second wife (2023–2024)
* Kaushal Kapoor as Ashok Tandon: Prachi's former boss and father figure; Vishakha's brother (2023–2024)
* Utkarsha Naik as Vishakha Tandon: Ashok's sister; Divya's mother (2023–2024)
* Riya Kapoor as Divya Tandon: Vishakha's daughter; (2023)
**Mahira Sharma replaced Kapoor as Divya (2023–2024)
* Purvi Pawar as Neha Tandon: Akshay, Mihika, Abhay and Divya's cousin (2023)
* Sparsh Kotwal as Abhay Tandon: Akshay, Mihika, Neha and Divya's cousin (2023)
* Vishal Solanki as Satinder: Prachi's rival colleague (2023)
* Pallavi Mahara as Damini: Aryan's suitress (2023)
* Sharika Ahluwalia as Laali: A poor, greedy woman who raised Panchi/Khushi (2023)
* Mohsin Khan as Balbira: Laali's boyfriend (2023)
* Ipsita Jena as Priya: Prachi's assistant (2023)
* Sanchita Ugale as Diya Tandon: Divya’s daughter; (2023–2025)
* Vishal Solanki as Jasbeer: Poorvi's one sided lover (2023–2025)
* Arjun Shekhawat as Ashutosh: Poorvi’s ex-fiancé (2023–2024)
* [[Imran Khan (TV actor)|Imran Khan]] as Harman Malhotra: Harleen's husband; Rajvansh and Vikrant's father (2023–2025)
* [[Pyumori Mehta Ghosh]] as Harleen Malhotra: Rajvansh and Vikrant's mother; Harman's wife (2023–2025)
* Kirti Sualy as Rajvansh's grandmother (2023–2025)
* [[Susheel Parashar]] as Rajvansh's grandfather (2023–2025)
* [[Preet Kaur Nayak]] as Dipika Malhotra: Monisha's sister (2023–2025)
*Rahul Ram Manchanda as Vikrant Malhotra: Harleen and Harman's elder son (2023–2025)
* Priti Gandwani as Rajvansh's aunt (2023–2025)
* Anuj Khurana as Rajvansh's uncle (2023–2025)
* Nakul Ulja as Yug Malhotra: Rajvansh’s cousin; Diya’s love interest (2023–2025)
* Kavita Banerjee as Trishna Jaiswal: Krishna's wife (2024)
* Ajay Sharma as Gajendra Jaiswal; Trishna’s father (2024)
* Hetal Yadav as Rajni Jaiswal; Trishna's mother (2024)
* [[Hemant Choudhary]] as Amar Dayal; Jaiswal's political rival (2024)
*[[Srishti Jain]] as Monisha: Dipika's sister; (2024–2025)
*Bhawana Aneja as Roshni: Dushyant's wife; Dipika and Monisha's mother (2024–2025)
* [[Aakash Talwar]] as Armaan Randhawa: Khushi's husband (2024–2025)
* Parimal Bhattacharya as Kishan Parikh: Seema's husband (2025)
* Vandana Mittal as Seema Parikh: Kishan's wife (2025)
* [[Jaya Bhattacharya]] as Bua Maa (2025)
* Phalguni Sharma/Honeyy Soni as Gayatri Parikh: Kishan and Seema's daughter; Prarthana's adoptive sister (2025)
* Hina Dani as Baa: Kanti, Devang, Hitesh and Kinjal's mother (2025)
* Vijhay Badlaani as Kanti Zaveri: Devang, Hitesh and Kinjal's brother; Smita's husband; Raunak and Sneha's father (2025)
* [[Gurdeep Kohli|Gurdip Punjj]] as Smita Zaveri: Kanti's wife; Raunak and Sneha's mother (2025)
* Isha Pandhe as Sneha Zaveri: Kanti and Smita's daughter; Raunak's sister (2025)
* Nitin Vakharia as Devang Zaveri: Kanti, Hitesh and Kinjal's brother (2025)
* Bhavwini Gandhi as Shubhvi Zaveri: Devang's wife; Tanuj, Sejal and Arjun's mother (2025)
* Abhay Bhadoriya as Tanuj Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's son; Sejal and Arjun's brother (2025)
* Hanisha Gehlot as Sejal Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's daughter; Tanuj and Arjun's sister (2025)
* Mohit Jaswani as Arjun Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's son; (2025)
* Parri Galaa as Kinjal Zaveri: Kanti, Hitesh and Devang's sister; Hitenkumar's wife; (2025)
* Kalpesh Patel as Hitenkumar: Kinjal's husband; Harsh and Kirtan's father (2025)
* [[Vedaant Saluja]] as Harsh: Kinjal and Hitenkumar's son (2025)
* Ahnaf F Khatri as Kirtan: Kinjal and Hitenkumar's son (2025)
* V S Prince Ratan as Yogi (2025)
* Unknown as Vihaan: Sneha's ex-fiance (2025)
* Aarchi Sachdeva as Payal Shah: Praful and Ketki's daughter; Raunak's suitor (2025)
* Rashika Matharu as Ketki Shah: Praful's wife; (2025)
* Nikhhil Raj Khera as Praful Shah: Ketki's husband (2025)
* MM Rishi as Bhavesh: Prarthana's suitor (2025)
* Rita Sharma Gupta as Daxa: Bhavesh's mother (2025)
* Aryan Raajput as Mayank: Raunak's friend (2025)
* Snehal Waghmare as Raunak's aunt (2025)
* Hetal Puniwala as Raunak's uncle (2025)
*[[Shraddha Arya]] as Dr. Preeta Arora: Pragya, Bulbul and Srishti's sister (2025)
*[[Shakti Anand]] as Karan Luthra: Preeta's husband (2025)
*Roopam Sharma as Sonalika Jaitley: Anisha's daughter (2025)
**Megha Prasad replaced Sharma as Sonalika (2025)

==Production==
===Development===
The series is a [[Romance (love)|love story]]<ref>{{Cite web |title='Kumkum Bhagya' a passionate story of love: Ekta Kapoor |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Kumkum-Bhagya-a-passionate-story-of-love-Ekta-Kapoor/articleshow/29845111.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620153034/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Kumkum-Bhagya-a-passionate-story-of-love-Ekta-Kapoor/articleshow/29845111.cms |archive-date=20 June 2014 |access-date=1 April 2014 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> produced by [[Ekta Kapoor]] and [[Shobha Kapoor]] under the banner [[Balaji Telefilms]] that airs on Zee TV. Ekta Kapoor considers the letter ''K'' to be lucky and has named many of her productions starting with ''K''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekta Kapoor brings back 'K' factor with 'Kumkum Bhagya' |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-kapoor-brings-back-k-factor-with-kumkum-bhagya-1973814 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412085204/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-kapoor-brings-back-k-factor-with-kumkum-bhagya-1973814 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018 |website=DNA}}</ref>

Kapoor rejected 19 costumes while selecting the look of character Pragya.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-17 |title=Ekta Kapoor rejects 19 costumes for the perfect one! |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/television-news/article/ekta-kapoor-rejects-19-costumes-for-the-perfect-one--15383186 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

===Filming===
The production and airing of the show was halted indefinitely in late March 2020 due to the [[COVID-19]] outbreak in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2020 |title=Television Industry in a Slump With the Lockdown |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/television-industry-experiencing-slowdown-with-the-lockdown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612101235/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/television-industry-experiencing-slowdown-with-the-lockdown |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=[[The Quint]]}}</ref> The outbreak caused the halt of filming of television shows and movies on 19 March 2020, and they were expected to resume on 1 April 2020. But shooting remained suspended and the remaining episodes were aired up to 24 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus outbreak: Film and television shootings to stop till March 31 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/coronavirus-outbreak-film-and-television-shootings-to-stop-till-march-31-1655773-2020-03-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316013939/https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/coronavirus-outbreak-film-and-television-shootings-to-stop-till-march-31-1655773-2020-03-15 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2020 |title=COVID-19 impact: TV industry braces for loss as production stalled |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-tv-industry-braces-for-loss-as-production-stalled-11584938268645.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612101236/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-tv-industry-braces-for-loss-as-production-stalled-11584938268645.html |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=Live Mint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entertainment industry welcomes Maharashtra govt's move to resume filming projects |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/entertainment-industry-welcomes-maharashtra-govts-move-to-resume-filming-projects/1851923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621083048/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/entertainment-industry-welcomes-maharashtra-govts-move-to-resume-filming-projects/1851923 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=[[Outlook India]]}}</ref> After three months, the production and filming of the series resumed on 29 June 2020 and airing resumed on 13 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sriti Jha, Shabir Ahluwalia, Dheeraj Dhoopar and Shraddha Arya shoot together for Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya post lockdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/sriti-jha-shabir-ahluwalia-dheeraj-dhoopar-and-shraddha-arya-shoot-together-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-post-lockdown/photostory/76688049.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629141551/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/sriti-jha-shabir-ahluwalia-dheeraj-dhoopar-and-shraddha-arya-shoot-together-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-post-lockdown/photostory/76688049.cms |archive-date=29 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2020 |title=Sriti Jha, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Shraddha Arya, Dheeraj Dhoopar Shoot for Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-shraddha-arya-dheeraj-dhoopar-shoot-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-2692391.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629224900/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-shraddha-arya-dheeraj-dhoopar-shoot-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-2692391.html |archive-date=29 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=News 18 India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-29 |title='Kumkum Bhagya', 'Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega' among shows back with new episodes from July 13 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/television/kumkum-bhagya-guddan-tumse-na-ho-payega-among-shows-back-with-new-episodes-from-july-13-2292591.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702204857/https://zeenews.india.com/television/kumkum-bhagya-guddan-tumse-na-ho-payega-among-shows-back-with-new-episodes-from-july-13-2292591.html |archive-date=2 July 2020 |access-date=2020-12-16 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[Shabbir Ahluwalia]],<ref name="inidatoday">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2015 |title=Pragya's Glamorous looks in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya-289361-2015-08-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151352/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya/1/459928.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=India Today}}</ref> who was also cast in Ekta's TV series ''[[Kayamath]]'', was selected to portray the lead role of Abhishek Prem Mehra. Ahluwalia made his comeback after Zee twenty years. Actress [[Sriti Jha]] landed the lead role in the show.<ref name="inidatoday" /> [[Mrunal Thakur]] was selected to portray the second leading role of Bulbul<ref name="indiatoday.intoday.in">{{Cite web |date=11 December 2015 |title=Bulbul and Purab finally get married |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/kumkum-bhagya-spoiler-bulbul-and-purab-finally-get-married-mrunal-thakur-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-276804-2015-12-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212054454/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kumkum-bhagya-spoiler-bulbul-and-purab-finally-get-married-mrunal-thakur-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia/1/544663.html |archive-date=12 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Indiatoday}}</ref> while [[Arjit Taneja]] was cast opposite her.<ref name="indiatoday.intoday.in" /><ref name="Shikha">{{Cite web |last=Neha Maheshwari |date=2 September 2015 |title=Why Shikha Singh has to bend in Reel Life? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Why-Shikha-Singh-has-to-bend-in-reel-life/articleshow/41436992.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928180348/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Why-Shikha-Singh-has-to-bend-in-reel-life/articleshow/41436992.cms |archive-date=28 September 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> In May 2014, [[Shikha Singh]] entered the show as the main antagonist Alia Mehra,<ref name="Shikha" /><ref name="IndiaToday">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2015 |title=Pragya's Glamorous looks in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya-289361-2015-08-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151352/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya/1/459928.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Indiatoday}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=21 June 2014 |title=Shikha Singh shoots for 72 hours |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news/Kumkum-Bhagya-actress-Shikha-Singh-shoots-for-72-hours/articleshow/36895665.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328071725/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news/Kumkum-Bhagya-actress-Shikha-Singh-shoots-for-72-hours/articleshow/36895665.cms |archive-date=28 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> while [[Madhurima Tuli]] was cast to portray the negative role of Tanu. Later, Tuli had to shoot for her film [[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|''Baby'']] so, this role was later played by [[Leena Jumani]] from September 2014.<ref name="Leena">{{Cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=Kumkum Bhagya: Leena replaces Madhurima Tuli on the show |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Leena-replaces-Madhurima-Tuli-on-the-show/articleshow/44878499.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312124852/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Leena-replaces-Madhurima-Tuli-on-the-show/articleshow/44878499.cms |archive-date=12 March 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |website=Neha Mahishwari |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> Actor Faisal Rashid was selected to portray the role of Suresh (Pragya's fiancé) who played an important role in April–May 2014, but in May 2015 he quit the series. Actress Supriya Shukla was cast to play the role of Sarla Arora, while Madhu Raja played the role of Daljeet Arora. Other supporting cast members include [[Samikssha Batnagar]], [[Ankit Mohan]], Charu Mehra and Amit Dhawan. Bhatnagar, who portrayed the supporting role of Mitali was replaced by Swati Anand within the month of launch while [[Anurag Sharma (actor)|Anurag Sharma]] replaced Amit. In 2015, Neel Motawani (who was also cast in other shows of Ekta) was selected to play the negative role of Neel; while in June 2015 Nikhil Arya entered the series playing the role of main male antagonist Nikhil Sood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2015 |title=Nikkhil enters Kumkum Bhagya as Nikhil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Nikkhil-enters-Kumkum-Bhagya-as-Nikhil/articleshow/47555587.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910062038/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Nikkhil-enters-Kumkum-Bhagya-as-Nikhil/articleshow/47555587.cms |archive-date=10 September 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

In December 2015, Mrunal Thakur opted out from the show and was to be replaced by Kajol Shrivastava, however the character of Bulbul was phased out of the series after Mrunal's departure. In August 2016, Ankit Mohan quit the show so his character left as well. In September 2016, Arjit Taneja quit the show and was replaced by [[Vin Rana]]. In October 2016, Nikhil Arya was replaced by Rujut Dahiya.<ref name="Nikhil">{{Cite web |date=3 November 2016 |title=Rujut Dahiya to replace Nikhil Arya |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/life-style/itsy-bitsy/rujut-dahiya-to-replace-nikhil-arya/317846.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050751/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/life-style/itsy-bitsy/rujut-dahiya-to-replace-nikhil-arya/317846.html |archive-date=3 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|Tribune India]]}}</ref> In July 2017, actress [[Ruchi Savarn]] entered the show as Purab's new love interest. Mishal Raheja as King Singh and Kaurwakee Vashista as Kiara Mehra entered the show after the leap. Actor Abeer Adil was cast in 2018 as King's cousin Tarun and Roma Bali as Tarun's mother.

In March 2019, a twenty-year leap was introduced with which several new characters entered in the show and became pivotal characters. In March 2019, [[Mugdha Chaphekar]], Krishna Kaul and [[Naina Singh]] were introduced as leads of the second generation who play Prachi, Ranbir and Rhea respectively alongside Sriti and Shabbir. In August 2020, Naina left the show as she was not happy playing a negative role anymore and [[Pooja Banerjee]] replaced Singh as Rhea. In February 2022, Pooja Banerjee quit the show due to her pregnancy, and she was replaced by [[Tina Ann Philip]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Neha |date=28 February 2022 |title=It's confirmed! Tina Philip to replace Pooja Banerjee in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/its-confirmed-tina-philip-to-replace-pooja-banerjee-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/89890858.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228113715/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/its-confirmed-tina-philip-to-replace-pooja-banerjee-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/89890858.cms |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> In February 2022, Jha and Ahluwalia officially quit the show after seven and half years as the story progressed on from their characters. They had last shot for the show in November 2021.

The show then took another generation leap of twenty years in November 2023, with [[Rachi Sharma]] and [[Abrar Qazi]] roped in as the new leads of generation three with Sharma portraying Prachi and Ranbir's younger daughter Poorvi Kohli while Qazi as Rajvansh Malhotra respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doshi |first=Hasti |date=17 October 2023 |title=Confirmed! Abrar Qazi and Rachi Sharma will play the new lead couple Kumkum Bhagya post the 20-year leap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/confirmed-abrar-qazi-and-rachi-sharma-will-play-the-new-lead-couple-kumkum-bhagya-post-the-20-year-leap/articleshow/104501408.cms |access-date=18 October 2023 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Simran Budharup was roped in to play grown-up version of Prachi and Ranbir's elder daughter Khushi Kohli Randhawa replacing Trisha Rohatgi who played childhood version of same. Later Budhraup quit the show owing to less screenspace and was replaced by [[Jyotsna Chandola]]. Later, Chaphekar and Kaul who portrayed leads of generation two, their role roles came to an indefinite end in June 2024 and in September 2024 media confirmed the news that both are no longer part of the show. In an Interview from 2025, Chaphekar and Kaul said that they weren't aware that their shoot in June 2024 would be their last for show and that they were informed much later that their characters will not be brought back to the show causing the second generation story to end without any conclusion.

In February 2025, the show again took a 20-year generation leap, with [[Pranali Rathod]] and Akshay Bindra as new generation leads. However later Bindra's character was sidelined as Supporting character and [[Namik Paul]] stepped in as new male lead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=2025-02-21 |title=Pranali Rathod and Akshay Bindra talks about joining Kumkum Bhagya post the leap : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/pranali-rathod-akshay-bindra-talks-joining-kumkum-bhagya-post-leap/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Abrar Qazi]] and Rachi Sharma and other supporting casts marked their exits due to the generation leap.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-07 |title=Abrar Qazi on his exit from Kumkum Bhagya: I was expecting the leap to happen after IPL, but it is happening now |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/abrar-qazi-on-his-exit-from-kumkum-bhagya-i-was-expecting-the-leap-to-happen-after-ipl-but-it-is-happening-now/articleshow/118012412.cms |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In March 2025, Rachi Sharma was again roped in to reprise her role of Poorvi Malhotra as a cameo to revive dipping TRPs. She was again roped in for a second appearance in April 2025. Soon after it was also confirmed that [[Shraddha Arya]] and [[Shakti Anand]] would also be joining ''Kumkum Bhagya'' reprising their characters Karan and Preeta from ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-20 |title=Shakti Anand to join Shraddha Arya in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/shakti-anand-to-join-shraddha-arya-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/120454524.cms |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=Shraddha Arya To Make Comeback Post Maternity Break With Kumkum Bhagya As Preeta, Actress CONFIRMS {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tv/shraddha-arya-to-make-comeback-post-maternity-break-with-kumkum-bhagya-as-preeta-actress-confirms-exclusive-article-151445201 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> However soon after their roles also ended and the show eventually went off air in September 2025 owing to low TRPs over a year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pranali Rathod and Namik Paul get emotional as Kumkum Bhagya ends its 11-year journey |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/pranali-rathod-and-namik-paul-get-emotional-as-kumkum-bhagya-ends-its-11-year-journey/amp_articleshow/123856807.cms |access-date=2026-07-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Sakshi |date=2025-08-05 |title=Kumkum Bhagya to end in September? Low TRPs may end Ektaa Kapoor’s longest-running Zee TV show |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/tv/kumkum-bhagya-off-air-last-episode-september-zee-tv-2025-08-05-1002135 |access-date=2026-07-29 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref>

== Spin-off ==
=== Kundali Bhagya ===
{{Main|Kundali Bhagya}}

A spin-off series ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]'' premiered on 12 July 2017 and ran till 6 December 2024. The series narrated the story of Pragya's sisters, Preeta and Srishti and their attempt to find their mother Sarla and how they meet the rich and famous Luthra family. Later that show too took a generation leap and story shifted to Preeta's sons Rajveer and Shaurya.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2017 |title=Dheeraj Dhoopar starrer Kundali Bhagya becomes the biggest weekday launch since 2016 – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/dheeraj-dhoopar-starrer-kundali-bhagya-becomes-the-biggest-weekday-launch-since-2016/articleshow/59876265.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619092758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/dheeraj-dhoopar-starrer-kundali-bhagya-becomes-the-biggest-weekday-launch-since-2016/articleshow/59876265.cms |archive-date=19 June 2018 |access-date=2019-01-31 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zee TV introduces Kundali Bhagya |url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-two-weekend-prime-time-slots/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728162201/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-two-weekend-prime-time-slots/ |archive-date=28 July 2017 |access-date=6 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2017 |title=Kundali Bhagya: Ekta Kapoor reveals the reason behind doing a spinoff of Kumkum Bhagya – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kundali-bhagya-ekta-kapoor-reveals-the-reason-behind-doing-a-spinoff-of-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/59364745.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019215453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kundali-bhagya-ekta-kapoor-reveals-the-reason-behind-doing-a-spinoff-of-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/59364745.cms |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=6 November 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

=== Bhagya Lakshmi ===

{{Main|Bhagya Lakshmi}}

A similar series ''[[Bhagya Lakshmi]]'' premiered on 3 August 2021 and ran till 29 June 2025. It traces the love story of Pragya's best friend, Lakshmi and Rishi. It stars [[Aishwarya Khare]] and [[Rohit Suchanti]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2021 |title=Zee TV to launch Ekta Kapoor Series 'Bhagya Lakshmi' soon |url=https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-tv-to-launch-new-ekta-kapoor-series-bhagya-lakshmi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617193834/https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-tv-to-launch-new-ekta-kapoor-series-bhagya-lakshmi/ |archive-date=17 June 2021 |website=Biz Asia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2021 |title=Aishwarya Khare and Rohit Suchanti to be a part of Zee TV's Bhagyalaxmi |url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/entertainment/aishwarya-khare-rohit-suchanti-to-be-a-part-of-zee-tv-s-bhagyalaxmi-1462328 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607103332/https://news.abplive.com/videos/entertainment/aishwarya-khare-rohit-suchanti-to-be-a-part-of-zee-tv-s-bhagyalaxmi-1462328 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |website=[[ABP Live]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
=== Critical reception ===
{{blockquote|text=Here's celebrating a show that has stood the test of time and crossed the boundaries of language, a big thank you to each and every one of you from all over the world for all the love you have given ''Kumkum Bhagya'', for always keeping it at the top, no matter where it aired, and what language. We, as a team, are truly grateful that you let us entertain you for half a decade.|sign=[[Shabir Ahluwalia]] on the series completing 5 Years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 April 2019 |title=Kumkum Bhagya completes 5 years; Shabir Ahluwalia and Sriti Jha get nostalgic – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kumkum-bhagya-completes-5-years-shabir-ahluwalia-and-sriti-jha-get-nostalgic/articleshow/68889280.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418095716/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kumkum-bhagya-completes-5-years-shabir-ahluwalia-and-sriti-jha-get-nostalgic/articleshow/68889280.cms |archive-date=18 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>}}

Reruns of Kumkum Bhagya premiered on [[Zee Anmol]] from 2017 and received high ratings in the BARC rural chart when Zee Anmol was [[Free-to-air|FTA]]. It began running on the network again from episode 1 from 10 June 2020, due to the return to [[DD Free Dish]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

The show also managed to strike a chord with West Africans too.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-22 |title=Kumkum Bhagya's arranged marriage concept is winning hearts of West Africans too |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-4486506/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Actor [[Kartik Aaryan]] also watched the show during the lockdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-04-01 |title=Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan tells Ekta Kapoor that he is watching Kumkum Bhagya during COVID-19 quarantine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bollywood-actor-kartik-aaryan-tells-ekta-kapoor-that-he-is-watching-kumkum-bhagya-during-covid-19-quarantine/articleshow/81842696.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Kartik Aaryan says he watched Kumkum Bhagya in quarantine when sick with Covid-19 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kartik-aaryan-says-he-watched-kumkum-bhagya-in-quarantine-when-sick-with-covid19-101617288325612.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ratings ===
''Kumkum Bhagya'' premiered on 15 April 2014, climbed to Top 5 most-watched shows across all GECs, after only a few weeks of its launch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-15 |title=Kumkum Bhagya on an all- time high |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/kumkum-bhagya-on-an-all-time-high/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> It was touted as the biggest fiction launch of 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2014 |title=Kumkum Bhagya – The Biggest Fiction Launch of 2014 – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-The-Biggest-Fiction-Launch-of-2014/articleshow/39626099.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423043415/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-The-Biggest-Fiction-Launch-of-2014/articleshow/39626099.cms |archive-date=23 April 2019 |access-date=2019-04-12 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

The show topped the TRP chart in week 43 of 2015 with 4.5 points, ahead of ''[[Saath Nibhaana Saathiya]]'' and ''[[Yeh Hai Mohabbatein]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRP Ratings: 'Kumkum Bhagya' takes top slot |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-takes-top-slot-beats-yeh-hai-mohabbatein-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-653589 |work=IBTimes India |date=6 November 2015}}</ref> By week 11 of 2016, it had slipped to second with 3.8 points, behind ''[[Naagin (2015 TV series)|Naagin]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRP ratings: 'Kumkum Bhagya' beats 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' and 'Saath Nibhaana Saathiya' |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-beats-yeh-hai-mohabbatein-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-672677 |work=IBTimes India |date=30 March 2016}}</ref>

Mid-2016 it recorded peak [[Television Rating Point|TRPs]], led the chart in weeks 28 and 29,<ref>{{cite web |title=TRP ratings: 'Kumkum Bhagya' yet again beats Raman-Ishita's 'Mohabbatein'! |url=https://abplive.in/television/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-beats-karan-divyankas-mohabbatein-384732 |work=ABP Live |date=21 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TRP ratings: 'Kumkum Bhagya' tops yet again! |url=https://www.abplive.in/television/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-tops-yet-again-388537 |work=ABP Live |date=28 July 2016}}</ref> and by week 34 had held the top spot for six consecutive weeks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebration time for Kumkum Bhagya team as show tops the chart again! |url=https://abplive.in/television/trp-ratings-celebration-time-for-kumkum-bhagya-team-as-show-tops-the-chart-again-408767 |work=ABP Live |date=1 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Kapil Sharma Show, Kumkum Bhagya or Yeh Hai Mohabbatein – Who is leading the TRP race in Week 34? |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-trp-game-which-show-is-leading-the-race-in-week-34-see-barc-ratings-2251196 |work=DNA India |date=2 September 2016}}</ref> The following week ( Aug– Sep) it drew 12.6 million viewers, up from 12.2 million, still at number one.<ref>{{cite web |title='Kumkum Bhagya' retains top slot; 'Saath Nibhaana Saathiya' beats 'Brahmarakshas' |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-retains-top-slot-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-beats-brahmarakshas-693039 |work=IBTimes India |date=9 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Oh no! Kumkum Bhagya, Saath Nibhana Saathiya beat 'The Kapil Sharma Show' in TRP race! |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-oh-no-kumkum-bhagya-saath-nibhana-saathiya-beat-the-kapil-sharma-show-in-trp-race-2253236 |work=DNA India |date=8 September 2016}}</ref> By week 37 it had topped the chart a seventh time, at 12,636 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kumkum Bhagya breaks all records as it comes NO.1 again |url=https://www.abplive.in/television/trp-ratings-kumkum-bhagya-breaks-all-records-as-it-comes-no-1-again-412390 |work=ABP Live |date=8 September 2016}}</ref> It fell out of the top five the week after.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet NEW PURAB of Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://www.abplive.in/television/meet-new-purab-of-kumkum-bhagya-423103 |work=ABP Live |date=29 September 2016}}</ref> In week 27 of 2017, it got 12,209 impressions at first place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-13 |title=BARC India Ratings Week 27, 2017: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs, Kumkum Bhagya remain most watched shows |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/barc-india-ratings-week-27-2017-sa-re-ga-ma-pa-lil-champs-kumkum-bhagya-remain-most-watched-shows-4749349/ |access-date=2026-07-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Throughout 2017, it recorded ratings of 2.7, 3.3, 3.4, 3.2 in weeks 35, 37, 38, 52 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-12-29 |title=Year Ender: Top 10 Indian TV shows of 2017 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/tv-year-ender-top-10-indian-tv-shows-of-2017-419516 |access-date=2026-07-27 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2020, the show occupied second position with 4.9 million impressions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keshri |first=Shweta |date=2020-07-24 |title=TV Rating War: Kundali Bhagya tops chart, Barrister Babu in top 3 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/tv-rating-war-kundali-bhagya-tops-chart-barrister-babu-in-top-3-1703967-2020-07-24 |access-date=2026-07-27 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> By December 2020, it fell to fifth position with 5,409 impressions.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRP Report: Kundali Bhagya, Kumkum Bhagya in Top 5; Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Not on List |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/trp-report-kundali-bhagya-kumkum-bhagya-in-top-5-taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-not-on-list-4273420/ |work=India.com |date=17 December 2020}}</ref> By January 2021, it rose back to fifth with 6,288 impressions.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRP Report Week 3: Anupamaa, Imlie, Kundali Bhagya Maintain Top 3 Spots, Kumkum Bhagya Back in Top 5 |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/tv-news-trp-report-week-3-anupamaa-imlie-kundali-bhagya-maintain-top-3-spots-kumkum-bhagya-back-in-top-5-4368021/ |work=India.com |date=30 January 2021}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Recipient !! Result !! Ref(s)
|-
| rowspan="11" |2015
| [[Star Guild Awards]]
| Best Upcoming Drama Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Guild Awards Home |url=http://starguildawards.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815071146/http://www.starguildawards.org/ |archive-date=15 August 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=starguildawards.org}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="2" {{won}}
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2015.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025021945/https://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2015.html |archive-date=25 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Critics)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Onscreen Couple|Best Onscreen Couple]]
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="2" {{won}}
| rowspan="2" |
|-
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[BIG Star Entertainment Awards]]
| BIG Star Most Entertaining Fiction Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=14 December 2015 |title=Winners of the Big Star Entertainment Awards 2015 – Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/winners-of-the-big-star-entertainment-awards-2015/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153328/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/winners-of-the-big-star-entertainment-awards-2015/ |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[BIG Star Most Entertaining Television Actor - Female]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="2" {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" |{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}
|-
| [[BIG Star Most Entertaining Television Actor - Male]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="8" | 2016
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards|9th Boroplus Gold Awards]]
| Boroplus Face of the Year
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="3" {{won}}
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2016.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062316/http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2016.html |archive-date=6 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Popular)
| [[Arjit Taneja]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
| Best Actor (Popular)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| {{won}}
|
|-
|[[Ghana Movie Awards]]
|Best Foreign TV Series
|[[Ekta Kapoor]]
|{{Won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2017
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2017.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012609/https://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2017.html |archive-date=7 November 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold Awards 2017: Complete winners list and red carpet pictures – Free Press Journal |url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/gold-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-and-red-carpet-pictures/1096849 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153005/http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/gold-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-and-red-carpet-pictures/1096849 |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Free Press Journal}}</ref>
|-
| Best Onscreen Jodi
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="5" {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2017 |title=Zee Gold Awards 2017: Mouni Roy, Divyanka Tripathi, Karan Patel win big. Here's the winner list |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/zee-gold-awards-2017-mouni-roy-divyanka-tripathi-karan-patel-win-big-heres-the-winner-list-4736196/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020131231/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/zee-gold-awards-2017-mouni-roy-divyanka-tripathi-karan-patel-win-big-heres-the-winner-list-4736196/ |archive-date=20 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Popular)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Popular)
| [[Arjit Taneja]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="7" | 2018
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards|11th Keshking Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Popular)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="6" {{won}}
| rowspan="6" |
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
|Gold Award for Fittest actor of Television
| [[Vin Rana]]
|-
|[[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best Television Show (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Gold Producer's Honour (For Completing 1000 Episodes) 
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| [[Indian Telly Awards|Telly Technical and Trade Awards]]
| Best Editor (Fiction)
| Vikas Sharma
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Technical Awards |url=http://www.tellytechnicalawards.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623200922/http://www.tellytechnicalawards.com/ |archive-date=23 June 2019 |access-date=23 June 2019 |website=Telly Technical Awards}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="15" |2019
| rowspan="7" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| Best Daily Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2019 |title=Indian Telly Awards 2019: Complete list of winners |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/indian-telly-awards-2019-winners-list-divyanka-tripathi-hina-khan-nakuul-mehta-5636869/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401071120/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/indian-telly-awards-2019-winners-list-divyanka-tripathi-hina-khan-nakuul-mehta-5636869/ |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Jodi
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]] & [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="6" {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Polling |url=http://www.indiantellyawards.com/polling/index.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628041108/http://www.indiantellyawards.com/polling/index.php |archive-date=28 June 2019 |access-date=23 June 2019 |website=Indian Telly Awards}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Male)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Female)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male)
| [[Mishal Raheja]]
|-
| Best Actor in Negative Role (Male)
| [[Shaad Randhawa]]
|-
| Best Actor in Negative Role (Female)
| [[Leena Jumani]]
|-
| rowspan="8" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role
| [[Mugdha Chaphekar]]
| {{won}}
|
|-
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role
| Krishna Kaul
| rowspan="7" {{nom}}
| rowspan="7" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Nominations for 12th Boroplus Gold Awards, 2019 |url=http://goldawards.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526000606/http://www.goldawards.in/ |archive-date=26 May 2015 |website=12th Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best Onscreen Jodi
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Television Personality of the Year (Female)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Television Personality of the Year (Male)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| rowspan="3" | [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Popular)
| [[Shabir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Nominees: 21st ITA Awards, 2022 |url=https://www.theita2021.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110094223/http://www.theita2021.com/ |archive-date=10 November 2021 |access-date=21 January 2022}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress in Lead Role (Popular)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Best Television Show - Fiction (Popular)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q17068098|display=''Kumkum Bhagya''|n=no|b=no|v=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|s=no|q=Kumkum Bhagya|wikt=no|c=Kumkum Bhagya|}}
*[https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/kumkum-bhagya/0-6-127 Official website]
*{{IMDb title|tt3911870}}
{{Balaji Telefilms}}
{{Sense and Sensibility}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kumkum Bhagya| ]]
[[Category:2014 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2025 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Balaji Telefilms television series]]
[[Category:Indian drama television series]]
[[Category:Indian television soap operas]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Zee TV original programming]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Delhi]]
[[Category:Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Television series based on Sense and Sensibility]]

Tahir Hussain (politician)

2026-07-31T17:21:19Z

206.84.238.9:

{{Short description|Indian politician and activist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Tahir Hussain
| party = [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|5|8|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| occupation = Politician
| other_party = [[Aam Aadmi Party]]
| image =
| module = {{Infobox criminal
| embed = yes
| conviction = [[Murder in Indian law|Murder]], kidnapping with intent to confine, [[Hate speech laws in India|promoting enmity between different religious groups]], rioting, rioting with deadly weapons, [[Unlawful assembly#India|unlawful assembly]], disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant
}}
}}

'''Tahir Hussain''' (born 8 May 1969) is a convicted Indian politician known for his role in the [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]], [[2020 Delhi riots|Delhi riots]] and the murder of an [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] staffer.<ref name="r342">{{cite web | author=The Hindu Bureau | title=Tahir Hussain, four others sentenced to life imprisonment in IB staff Ankit Sharma murder case | website=The Hindu | date=2026-07-31 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tahir-hussain-ib-staff-ankit-sharma-murder-case-life-imprisonment/article71290118.ece | access-date=2026-07-31}}</ref> He is a former councillor of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]], who was elected from Ward 59 in Nehru Vihar, [[East Delhi district|East Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite news | date=2023-09-04 |title=Tahir Hussain gets bail in another north-east Delhi riots case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/tahir-hussain-gets-bail-in-another-north-east-delhi-riots-case/article67270958.ece |access-date=2024-05-08 |newspaper=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=Court frames charges against ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, 9 others in 2020 NE Delhi riots case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/court-charges-against-tahir-hussain-others-2020-riots-case-8882324/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-12 |title=Former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain granted bail in Delhi riots case |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/high-courts/story/former-aap-councillor-tahir-hussain-granted-bail-five-cases-delhi-riots-case-2405320-2023-07-12 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fuUEAAAQBAJ&dq=tahir+hussain+aap&pg=PA394 |title=Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy |date=2023-04-11 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-24790-8 |language=en}}</ref> He was a candidate of [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]] (AIMIM), which he joined in December 2024 from [[Mustafabad Assembly constituency]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=दिल्ली चुनाव से पहले बाहर आएंगे ताहिर हुसैन? जमानत याचिका पर दिल्ली HC ने पुलिस को दिया नोटिस |trans-title=Will Tahir Hussain come out before Delhi elections Delhi High Court gives notice to police on bail petition |url=https://www.jagran.com/delhi/new-delhi-city-ncr-will-tahir-hussain-come-out-before-delhi-elections-delhi-high-court-gives-notice-to-police-on-bail-petition-23855122.html |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2024-12-10 |title=Tahir Hussain, former AAP councillor and Delhi riots accused, joins AIMIM; to be fielded from Mustafabad seat in Delhi elections |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/tahir-hussain-former-aap-councillor-and-delhi-riots-accused-joins-aimim-to-be-fielded-from-mustafabad-seat-in-delhi-elections/articleshow/116169006.cms |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Political career ==
He was born in Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Bhardwaj |first1=Aditya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n6AFEAAAQBAJ&dq=tahir+hussain+aap&pg=PR6 |title=DELHI RIOTS: Conspiracy Unravelled (Prabhat Prakashan): DELHI RIOTS: Conspiracy Unravelled: Examining the Unfortunate Events by Aditya Bhardwaj / Ashish Kumar Anshu |last2=Anshu |first2=Ashish Kumar |date=2021-01-01 |publisher=Prabhat Prakashan |isbn=978-81-947789-3-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Magazines |first=Delhi Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=auvaDwAAQBAJ&dq=tahir+hussain+aap&pg=PA73 |title=The Caravan April 2020 |date=2020-04-04 |publisher=Delhi Press Magazines |language=en}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] and had served as a councillor in Nehru Vihar.<ref name=":0" />

He joined AIMIM in December 2024. [[Asaduddin Owaisi]] posted on [[Twitter]], announcing him as a candidate from Mustafabad Assembly constituency and stating that his family and supporters had joined the party led by Owaisi.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=दिल्ली दंगों के आरोपी ताहिर हुसैन को असदुद्दीन ओवैसी की AIMIM ने बनाया उम्मीदवार, इस सीट से दिया टिकट |url=https://www.jansatta.com/national/delhi-riots-accused-tahir-hussain-mustafabad-asaduddin-owaisi-aimim-candidate-in-delhi-assembly-election-2025/3724472/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Jansatta |language=hi}}</ref>

He secured 33,474 votes and finished third.

== Delhi riots case ==
Hussain gained widespread attention for his role in the [[2020 Delhi riots|2020 Northeast Delhi communal violence]]. The riots, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, led to accusations of Hussain being a central figure in instigating violence.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-03-23 |title=Court frames murder, rioting charges against Tahir Hussain, 10 others in Delhi riots case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/court-frames-murder-rioting-charges-against-tahir-hussain-10-others-in-delhi-riots-case/article66654668.ece |access-date=2024-06-12 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Delhi riots case: Court frames murder charges against AAP's Tahir Hussain, others |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/delhi-riots-case-court-frames-murder-charges-against-aaps-tahir-hussain-others-2350610-2023-03-23 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chintamani |first=Gautam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y5BTEAAAQBAJ&dq=tahir+hussain+aap&pg=PT284 |title=The Midway Battle: Modi's Rollercoaster Second Term |date=2021-11-10 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-5435-369-7 |language=en}}</ref>

An FIR was registered by the [[Delhi Police]] against Hussain relating to the Delhi riots on 25 February 2020.<ref name="chargesheets"/> Another FIR was registered against Hussain for the murder of [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] staffer Ankit Sharma on 27 February.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-02-28 |title=AAP suspends councillor Tahir Hussain after cops file FIR against him in IB staffer Ankit Sharma's murder case |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/delhi/2020/Feb/27/aap-suspends-councillor-tahir-hussain-after-cops-file-fir-against-him-in-ib-staffer-ankit-sharmas-m-2109445.html |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Two chargeesheets were filed against Hussain in June 2020, with one naming him as the main conspirator in the violence in Chand Bagh and Jaffrabad, and another accusing him of the murder of Ankit Sharma.<ref name="chargesheets">{{Cite news |date=2020-06-02 |first=Arvind |last=Ojha |title=Delhi riots: Police names ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain as main conspirator in chargesheet |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-riots-police-names-ex-aap-councillor-tahir-hussain-as-main-conspirator-in-chargesheet-1684767-2020-06-02 |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=India Today}}</ref> The [[Enforcement Directorate]] on 17 October filed a chargesheet against Hussain, alleging money laundering of Rs. 1.10 crore to instigate the anti-CAA protests and the Delhi riots.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-08-17 |title=Delhi riots: ED files charge sheet against former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain in money laundering case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-riots-ed-files-charge-sheet-against-former-aap-councillor-tahir-hussain-in-money-laundering-case/article32881459.ece |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

Hussain was convicted by along with four others for murder of Ankit Sharma on 13 July 2026, being found guilty of Sections 302 (murder), 365 (kidnapping or abduction with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the IPC. He was acquitted of charges under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 129. Six other co-accused were acquitted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mishra |first=Ishita |date=2026-07-13 |title=Tahir Hussain, four others convicted in IB staff Ankit Sharma murder case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/tahir-hussain-four-others-convicted-in-ib-staff-ankit-sharma-murder-case/article71217799.ece |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mishra |first=Sukriti |date=2026-07-13 |title=2020 Delhi Riots: Court Convicts Tahir Hussain, Five Others For Murder Of IB Officer Ankit Sharma |url=https://lawbeat.in/news-updates/2020-delhi-riots-court-convicts-tahir-hussain-five-others-for-murder-of-ib-officer-ankit-sharma-1611916 |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=LawBeat}}</ref> He was subsequently sentenced to [[life imprisonment]] on 31 July 2026 along with four others.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 2026 |title=Ex-AAP leader Tahir Hussain, other convicts get life in Ankit Sharma murder case. |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tahir-hussain-and-all-other-convicts-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-ankit-sharma-murder-case-2960626-2026-07-31 |access-date=31 July 2026 |work=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 2026 |title=Savagery": Ex-AAP Leader Tahir Hussain Gets Life For Intel Officer's Murder. |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ex-aap-leader-tahir-hussain-gets-life-term-for-intelligence-officers-murder-11848296 |access-date=31 July 2026 |work=NDTV}}</ref>

The Karkardooma court stated that Hussain played a pivotal role in instigating the mob that ruthlessly assaulted and killed Sharma before dumping his body in a drain.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Sanjay |last=Sharma |date=2026-07-13 |title=Ex-AAP leader Tahir Hussain convicted of murdering IB officer during Delhi riots |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/ex-aap-councillor-tahir-hussain-4-others-convicted-for-ib-officers-murder-during-2020-delhi-riots-2946916-2026-07-13 |access-date=2026-07-13 |work=India Today}}</ref> The 26-year-old Sharma's body was discovered in a nearby drain with 51 stab wounds on his body. The court stated that the convicts were driven by "animus against Hindus".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2026-07-15 |title=Tahir Hussain was part of unlawful assembly driven by 'animus against Hindus': Court in IB staffer murder case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/tahir-hussain-was-part-of-unlawful-assembly-driven-by-animus-against-hindus-court-in-ib-staffer-murder-case/article71221770.ece |access-date=2026-07-15 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Witnesses alleged that the victim was dragged into Hussain's property during the riots and killed there.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-03 |title=Deep rooted conspiracy behind killing of IB officer during Delhi riots, police tells court |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/deep-rooted-conspiracy-behind-killing-of-ib-officer-during-delhi-riots-police-tells-court/articleshow/76177800.cms |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Two witnesses informed the court that they had witnessed Hussain delivering inflammatory speeches, claiming Hindus had looted Muslim homes and molested Muslim women, exhorting the mob to "teach these ''[[Kafir|kafirs]]'' a lesson".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattar |first=Ruchi |date=2026-07-15 |title=IB officer murder: The evidence behind Tahir Hussain's conviction—instigating speeches to petrol bombs |url=https://theprint.in/india/ib-officer-murder-the-evidence-behind-tahir-hussains-conviction-instigating-speeches-to-petrol-bombs/2986792/ |access-date=2026-07-15 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> The court stated during the trial that Hussain was not only a conspirator, but also an "active rioter."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-24 |title=IB staffer's murder: Ex-AAP neta Tahir Hussain charged |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ib-staffers-murder-ex-aap-neta-tahir-hussain-charged/articleshow/98951637.cms#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI:%20A%20Delhi%20court,killed%20because%20he%20was%20Hindu%E2%80%9D. |access-date=2024-06-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Hussain's attorney had however countered that he had nothing to do with the crime.<ref name="b159">{{cite web | last=Achom | first=Debanish | title="Savagery": Ex-AAP Leader Tahir Hussain Gets Life For Intel Officer's Murder | publisher=NDTV | date=2026-07-31 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ex-aap-leader-tahir-hussain-gets-life-term-for-intelligence-officers-murder-11848296 | access-date=2026-07-31}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hussain, Tahir}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People involved in the Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of India]]
[[Category:Inmates of Tihar Jail]]
[[Category:Activists from Delhi]]
[[Category:All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen politicians]]
[[Category:Indian people convicted of murder]]

Hello Friends (Narendra Modi video)

2026-07-29T06:19:56Z

206.84.238.9:

{{Short description|2026 Instagram and Facebook video by Narendra Modi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}
{{Infobox storage medium
| name = Hello Friends
| logo =
| image = File:Hello Friend (Narendra Modi).mp4
| caption = Still from the video
| type = Social media video / [[Instagram Reel]]
| capacity =
| blocksize =
| read =
| write =
| standard =
| owner = [[Narendra Modi]]
| use = Political communication addressing youth on examination paper leaks
| dimensions =
| weight =
| extended from =
| extended to =
| released = 23–24 July 2026
| discontinued =
}}

{{Tweet
| name = Narendra Modi
| username = narendramodi
| replyto =
| text = More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!
| date = July 23, 2026
| ID = 2080357811662492096
| image = Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed at world summit .jpg
| right = yes
}}
"'''Hello Friends'''" is a late-night selfie-style video message posted by Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] on his official [[Instagram]] and [[Facebook]] accounts on the night of 23–24 July 2026. In the video, Modi addressed young Indians as "friends" regarding nationwide student protests over irregularities and paper leaks in the [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test|NEET-UG]] 2026 examination, outlining government actions already taken and announcing plans for stricter legislation and fast-track courts.

The video, Modi's first direct vertical-format outreach in this style to [[Gen Z]] audiences amid the protests, rapidly gained massive engagement. It crossed 303 million views on Instagram within 24 hours, setting a reported world record for the most-viewed Instagram Reel in that timeframe and surpassing the previous benchmark of approximately 300 million views held by streamer [[IShowSpeed]] for a clip featuring members of [[BTS]]. It also contributed to a surge of roughly one million new Instagram followers for Modi overnight, with his total rising from around 101 million to over 105 million within a week.

A follow-up video beginning with "Thank you friends" was posted the next day. The original video was briefly restricted on Facebook in the early hours of 28 July 2026; [[Meta Platforms]] attributed the action to a technical error or automated filter glitch, restored the content, and apologised. The Indian government rejected the explanation as inadequate and summoned senior Meta executives.

The video formed part of the broader government response to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation, which culminated in the resignation of Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] and the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

== Background ==
The NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination, held in early May 2026, faced allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities, leading to its cancellation and the conduct of re-examinations for approximately 22 lakh candidates. Results of the re-examination were declared on 19 July 2026.

Student discontent crystallised into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke. The name derived from remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant comparing certain unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites," which protesters reclaimed as a badge of identity. CJP organised sustained demonstrations, including a major sit-in at [[Jantar Mantar]], New Delhi, and a "Sansad Chalo" march toward Parliament on 20 July 2026. Primary demands included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for examination authorities, compensation for families of students who died by suicide amid the controversy, and systemic reforms.

By late July the protest had entered its fourth and fifth weeks, with intermittent clashes involving Delhi Police, temporary internet restrictions in parts of central Delhi, and involvement of figures such as climate activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]], who undertook a hunger strike. Opposition parties and civil society groups amplified calls for ministerial accountability.

== Content of the video ==
Recorded in a casual, front-camera vertical format typical of Instagram Reels and posted around midnight, the video marked a departure from Modi's more formal addresses. Addressing viewers as "Friends," Modi acknowledged the distress caused by paper leaks:

"Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful."

He detailed steps taken over the preceding two-and-a-half months, including arrests of those involved (who were then in jail), and emphasised the priority of preventing loss of an academic year by rapidly organising re-examinations for around 22 lakh students. Results had been declared on 19 July, with reports of celebrations by successful candidates, yet the government remained unsatisfied.

Modi announced that he had directed departments that day to prepare a legal framework for fast-track courts and stringent punishments. A draft had been submitted late at night and would be placed before the Union Cabinet the following day. After incorporating ministerial suggestions, the measure would be finalised for introduction in Parliament the following week, with efforts to secure early passage.

The accompanying caption on social media stated: "More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!"

A second video, posted on 24 July and beginning with the words "Thank you friends," expressed gratitude for the response and "insightful suggestions" from young viewers. In it Modi said the bond with the youth would continue to strengthen and that their affection would remain with him.

== Reception and records ==
The initial video achieved exceptional reach. Within 24 hours it recorded over 303 million views on Instagram, establishing a new platform record for a single Reel in that period and overtaking IShowSpeed's previous mark of around 300 million views (from a clip of his meeting with BTS). Reports indicated the view count later exceeded 340–396 million. The video also attracted more than 16 million likes and approximately 1.5 million comments in the early phase.

Modi's Instagram follower count rose by roughly one million overnight (from approximately 101 million) and by about four million over the subsequent days and week, crossing 105 million. Commentators noted the resonance of the informal "Friends" address and Gen Z-oriented format among younger users, though some online reactions included humorous or critical memes referring to the Prime Minister in playful terms such as "Pookie PM."

CJP spokespersons and protesters offered mixed responses, with some viewing the outreach as evidence of pressure from the agitation while insisting that demands, particularly Pradhan's resignation, remained non-negotiable. Political supporters highlighted the direct communication with youth, while critics described it as a public-relations effort amid unresolved structural issues in the examination system.

== Meta Platforms controversy ==
On the early morning of 28 July 2026 the Facebook version of the video became briefly unavailable to users in India. Access pages displayed a notice indicating that the content had been withheld in the region following a legal request. The restriction lasted a short period before the post was restored.

Meta Platforms stated that "The content was removed in error and has since been restored," attributing the incident to a technical glitch or error in automated content filters reviewing shared posts. Government sources described the company's explanation as "not reasonable" and indicated that the matter was "far from settled." The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned Meta's global head of public policy and other senior executives, including those responsible for Instagram, seeking a detailed account and improvements to moderation tools. Meta reportedly offered measures such as ring-fencing high-profile accounts to prevent recurrence.

The episode drew political comment, with some Bharatiya Janata Party workers questioning the platform's authority to restrict content from the Prime Minister of India. It also coincided with broader parliamentary scrutiny: the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology scheduled discussions involving Meta, Google, X and Snapchat on digital platform regulation, privacy and public order.

== Aftermath ==
The Union Cabinet approved the draft legislation on or around 25 July 2026. On 27 July the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State Jitendra Singh. The bill amends the 2024 Act to strengthen deterrence against examination malpractices. Key provisions include:

* Imprisonment of five to ten years and fines up to ₹50 lakh for individuals using unfair means (increased from three to five years and ₹10 lakh);
* Higher penalties for organised crime and for service providers (fines up to ₹5–10 crore and extended debarment periods);
* Mandatory completion of investigations within two months, with provision for a Special Task Force;
* Designation of Special Fast Track Courts required to complete trials within three months of the charge-sheet, with day-to-day hearings and Special Public Prosecutors.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister amid the continuing pressure. The CJP-led protests at Jantar Mantar were called off around 25 July after discussions with government representatives, with organisers stating that key demands on accountability, protection of protesters and dignity for affected families had been addressed or were under further negotiation.

The episode was widely reported as an example of political communication adapting to short-form vertical video platforms popular with younger demographics, while also highlighting ongoing tensions between Indian authorities and global technology companies over content moderation.

== See also ==
* [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test]]
* [[Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024]]
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]
* [[Social media use by Narendra Modi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [Official Instagram account of Narendra Modi]

[[Category:2026 in India]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Instagram]]
[[Category:Social media]]
[[Category:2026 controversies]]
[[Category:Education in India]]
[[Category:Videos]]

Abhijeet Dipke

2026-07-28T13:38:46Z

206.84.238.9: More

{{Short description|Indian political communication strategist (born 1995)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Abhijeet Dipke
| image = Abhijeet-dipke.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Dipke in 2026
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|29}}<ref name="lokmat">{{cite web |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |website=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]], India<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trending/abhijeet-dipke-the-30-yr-old-behind-cockroach-janta-partys-viral-rise/ |website=The Tribune |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Political communication strategist<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |website=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
| years_active = 2020–present
| known_for = Founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<ref name="statesman">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |website=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
| notable_works =
| alma_mater = [[Boston University]] ([[MSc]])<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite web |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |website=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
| education = [[Boston University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]] in public relations)
| website =
}}
'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanya |date=2026-05-21 |title=Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-the-boston-educated-founder-of-cockroach-janata-party-101779346291274.html |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=India has a new political superstar - a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |website=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="ReutersMay">{{cite news |title=India's 'Cockroach' group goes viral, spotlights Gen Z worries |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-cockroach-group-goes-viral-spotlights-gen-z-worries-2026-05-21/ |work=Reuters |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="BBCMay">{{cite news |last=Mateen |first=Zoya |title=Cockroach Janta Party (CJP): How Abhijeet Dipke's collective became an online sensation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |work=BBC News |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="NYTMay">{{cite news |title=The Man Turning the Cockroach Into a Gen-Z Movement in India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/asia/cockroach-janta-party-india-movement.html |work=The New York Times |date=28 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> Dipke first drew attention with a post on [[X (social network)|X]] responding to the remarks. The post snowballed into the CJP, which within weeks had attracted millions of followers and grown into a youth-led protest movement centred on unemployment, examination irregularities and government accountability.<ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="BBCMay"/><ref name="NYTMay"/>

By July 2026, Dipke had emerged as one of the principal public faces of the protests in New Delhi. Reuters called him the most recognisable figure of the youth-led movement, describing it as among the largest street protests Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s government had faced since 2014.<ref name="ReutersJuly">{{cite news |last=Agarwala |first=Tora |title=How Abhijeet Dipke became the face of India's first Gen Z protest movement, and won |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/abhijeet-dipke-face-indias-first-gen-z-protest-movement-2026-07-23/ |work=Reuters |date=23 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> The protests carried on through July and culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] on 25 July.<ref name="GuardianResign">{{cite news |title=India's education minister resigns in victory for Cockroach youth movement protests |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/25/dharmendra-pradhan-india-education-minister-resigns-cockroach-movement |work=The Guardian |date=25 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="IndianExpressResign">{{cite news |title='This is just the beginning': Abhijeet Dipke thanks supporters day after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/abhijeet-dipke-cockroach-janta-party-supporters-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-10803991/ |work=The Indian Express |date=26 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.<ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="Lokmat">{{cite news |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |work=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> He grew up in a Dalit family in the state.<ref name="ReutersJuly"/> His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.<ref name="lokmat"/> He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.<ref name="lokmat"/>

Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in [[Pune]].<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="NDTVMay">{{cite news |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |work=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.<ref name="lokmat"/> He then moved to the [[United States]] and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from [[Boston University]].<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="bbc"/><ref name="ReutersJuly"/><ref name="AlJazeeraMay">{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Yashraj |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |work=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== Work with Aam Aadmi Party ===
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia.jpg|thumb|Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia]]
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) social media team.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="ETV">{{cite news |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |work=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="NDTVMay"/> During the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], which AAP won under [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="NDTVMay"/><ref name="ETV"/> He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |website=Times Now Marathi |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="TimesNow">{{cite news |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |work=Times Now Marathi |language=mr |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="ETV"/>

=== Cockroach Janta Party ===
{{Main|Cockroach Janta Party}}
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, and they start attacking everyone."<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="statesman"/> The next day, Dipke posted on [[X (social network)|X]]: "What if all cockroaches come together?"<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="AlJazeeraMay"/> He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="timesnow"/><ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="BBCMay"/> Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.<ref name="aljazeera"/> By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/cockroach-janta-party-founder-dipkes-parents-averse-to-sons-pursuit-of-politics/ |website=The Tribune |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> Reuters reported that its Instagram account had reached nearly 15 million followers within five days of going up.<ref name="ReutersMay"/>

In its early days, the CJP used humour and political satire to needle issues including unemployment, inflation, examination paper leaks, gender representation and media ownership.<ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="AlJazeeraMay"/> Dipke has described the CJP less as a conventional political party than as a platform meant to give younger Indians a louder voice in political debate.<ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="AlJazeeraMay"/> Its stated approach combined political satire with demands for government accountability.

The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="bbc"/><ref name="Statesman">{{cite news |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |work=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."<ref name="statesman"/> Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account and that there was an effort to take its website offline. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="ReutersThreats">{{cite news |title=Founder of viral Indian Gen Z account alleges crackdown, threats |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/founder-viral-indian-gen-z-account-alleges-crackdown-threats-2026-05-25/ |work=Reuters |date=25 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> Reuters said it could not independently verify the allegations.<ref name="ReutersThreats"/>

In an interview with ''India Today'', Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |title=Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/meet-the-man-behind-the-cockroach-janta-party-2914598-2026-05-20 |website=India Today |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> In an interview with ''Al Jazeera'', Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."<ref name="aljazeera"/>

=== Parents' concerns ===
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.<ref name="tribuneindia"/><ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="Lokmat"/> His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."<ref name="lokmat"/>

== Protest movement ==
{{See also|2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protests}}
Dipke returned to India from Boston in June 2026 and led a CJP demonstration at [[Jantar Mantar]] in New Delhi.<ref name="ReutersJune">{{cite news |title='Cockroach' youth group founder leads first street protest after arrival in India |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-cockroach-youth-movement-founder-arrives-new-delhi-protest-modi-2026-06-06/ |work=Reuters |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |title=India Youth Protest Leader Quits US to Return Home and Demonstrate |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-06/india-youth-protest-leader-quits-us-to-return-home-and-demonstrate |work=Bloomberg |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> The demonstrations centred largely on alleged irregularities and paper leaks in national examinations and called for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.<ref name="ReutersJune"/><ref name="AlJazeeraJune">{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Yashraj |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |work=Al Jazeera |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> Dipke became a fixture at the protest site, speaking often and repeatedly urging demonstrators to keep things peaceful.<ref name="ReutersJuly"/>

The protest camp held through June and into July as the movement outgrew its original online, satirical format.<ref name="ReutersJuly"/><ref name="AlJazeeraCamp">{{cite news |title=India's 'Cockroach' movement camps out until education minister resigns |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/21/indias-cockroach-movement-camps-out-until-education-minister-resigns |work=Al Jazeera |date=21 June 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref> On 20 July, thousands of protesters tried to march on [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] despite a police ban. Police responded with tear gas and batons to disperse parts of the crowd, and the ensuing clashes left both protesters and officers injured.<ref name="ReutersMarch">{{cite news |title=India's 'cockroach movement' leaders say minister promised government will weigh demands |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-cockroach-movement-supporters-gather-march-despite-police-ban-2026-07-20/ |work=Reuters |date=20 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="ReutersProtests">{{cite news |title=Thousands protest in India after clashes, despite Modi assuring action on exams |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-youth-group-says-protest-continue-after-delhi-clashes-injure-180-2026-07-21/ |work=Reuters |date=21 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

In the aftermath, Dipke said the movement would keep up its sit-in but suspend further street marches, citing safety concerns for participants.<ref name="AlJazeeraHalt">{{cite news |title=India's 'cockroach' protest movement halts marches after police violence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/21/indias-cockroach-protest-movement-halts-marches-after-police-violence |work=Al Jazeera |date=21 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

On 25 July 2026, with the protests still under way, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister.<ref name="GuardianResign"/><ref name="IndianExpressResign"/> Dipke broke the news to protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and called it a win for the movement, though later reports suggested he and the CJP intended to keep pushing for broader reforms to the education system.<ref name="HTResign">{{cite news |title=Abhijeet Dipke reacts as Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid CJP stir: 'Just the beginning' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/we-have-done-it-abhijeet-dipkes-first-reaction-as-dharmendra-pradhan-resigns-cjp-jantar-mantar-genz-protest-neet-101784971510386.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="NDTVResign">{{cite news |title=Abhijeet Dipke's "Going To Take A Nap" Post Shortly After Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dharmendra-pradhan-resigns-cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipkes-going-to-take-a-nap-shortly-after-dharmendra-pradhan-resigns-11820882 |work=NDTV |date=25 July 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="AlJazeeraMay"/> He has said it operates independently of the AAP and other established parties.<ref name="AlJazeeraMay"/> He has framed the movement as a way of drawing young people more directly into public debate, with an emphasis on peaceful political action.<ref name="ReutersMay"/><ref name="ReutersJuly"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="ReutersMay"/> During the 2026 protests, its central demand narrowed to accountability over the examination irregularities and the education minister's resignation.<ref name="ReutersJune"/><ref name="ReutersMarch"/> Dipke has named [[B. R. Ambedkar]] as an influence on his politics and his views on social equality.<ref name="ReutersJuly"/>

== Threats and attacks ==
In May 2026, Dipke said that he and members of his family had received threatening messages after the CJP took off online. Reuters reported the claims but noted it had been unable to verify them independently.<ref name="ReutersThreats"/> The alleged threats were also picked up by Indian outlets.<ref>{{cite news |title='Marwa denge tujhe': Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke receives death threats on WhatsApp |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/marwa-deinge-tujhe-cockroach-janta-party-founder-abhijeet-dipke-receives-death-threats-on-whatsapp/articleshow/131261469.cms |work=The Times of India |date=22 May 2026 |access-date=28 July 2026}}</ref>

In July, Dipke was reportedly the target of an ink-throwing incident while addressing supporters at a protest. Reuters reported that the woman involved subsequently accused the movement of insulting the Hindu deity [[Rama]].<ref name="ReutersJuly"/>

== Legal proceedings ==
In May 2026, Dipke filed a petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Government's order directing X to withhold access to the Cockroach Janta Party's account under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition argued that the blocking order was unlawful and sought restoration of the account. The Delhi High Court issued notice on the plea and directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Review Committee to examine the blocking order, while declining to grant interim relief.<ref name="quint">{{cite news |last=Varma |first=Aishwarya |title=Founded in Satire, Attacked by Lies: Debunking the Narratives Targeting CJP |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/cockroach-janta-party-narratives-misinformation-protests |work=The Quint |date=12 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="livelaw">{{cite web |title=Delhi High Court Directs MeiTY's Review Committee To Examine Abhijeet Dipke's Plea For Unblocking Cockroach Janta Party's X Account |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/delhi-high-court-issues-notice-on-abhijeet-dipkes-plea-against-blocking-of-cockroach-janta-partys-x-account-536099 |work=Live Law |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref>

Separately, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Allahabad High Court by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir seeking an investigation by agencies including the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate into Dipke and the Cockroach Janta Party. The petition alleged that the organisation was conducting an "engineered digital campaign" affecting public order and sought the blocking of its social media accounts. The petition also requested investigations under several security-related laws. The allegations reflected the petitioner's claims and had not been adjudicated by the court.<ref name="siasat">{{cite news |title=Plea in HC claims Cockroach Janta Party founder waging war against Centre |url=https://www.siasat.com/plea-in-hc-claims-cockroach-janta-party-founder-waging-war-against-centre-3479130/ |work=The Siasat Daily |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="lawchakra">{{cite news |title=Existential Threat To India's Stability: Plea In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against Cockroach Janta Party Founder Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://lawchakra.in/high-court/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke/ |work=Law Chakra |date=1 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref>

=== 2019 complaint ===
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke Tweets on Kashmir.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of a tweet posted by Abhijeet Dipke on 5 August 2019 regarding Kashmir and Article 370. The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.]]
In August 2019, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), a legal advocacy organisation, submitted a complaint to Pune Police against Abhijeet Dipke over a series of social media posts published following the Government of India's decision to abrogate Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The complaint alleged that Dipke's posts promoted narratives sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists and sought legal action under various provisions of Indian law. It requested that Pune Police register a criminal case and investigate the matter.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="jaipur"/>

The complaint cited several posts in which Dipke commented on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the constitutional changes. It alleged that the posts spread misinformation, encouraged separatist sentiment, and were prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity. It further sought investigation under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and other laws relating to national security.<ref name="jaipur"/>

One of the posts referenced in the complaint was a tweet published by Dipke on 5 August 2019 stating, ''"Need to stand with #Kashmir. Today its Kashmir, tomorrow it can be your state."'' The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.<ref name="statesman"/>

In interviews given in 2026, Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory stated that despite repeated follow-ups with Pune Police over several years, he was not aware of any FIR having been registered in connection with the complaint. ''The Statesman'' reported that it contacted Dipke for comment but had not received a response.<ref name="statesman"/>

== Personal life ==
Dipke's parents, Bhagwanrao and Anita Dipke, have spoken publicly about their worries over his political activism and the risks that have come with his rising public profile.<ref name="Lokmat"/><ref name="lokmat"/> He lived in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, while studying at Boston University, before returning to India in June 2026 to join the CJP protests.<ref name="ReutersJune"/><ref name="ReutersJuly"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Twitter|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}
* {{X (social network)|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dipke, Abhijeet}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1995 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:People from Aurangabad]]
[[Category:Politicians from Marathwada]]
[[Category:Political consultants]]

Action Jackson (2014 film)

2026-07-27T08:35:27Z

206.84.238.9: Broken

{{Short description|2014 Indian film by Prabhu Deva}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Action Jackson
| image =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Prabhu Deva]]
| producer = Gordhan P. Tanwani Sunil Lulla
| writer = Prabhu Deva
| screenplay = A. C. Mugil Shiraz Ahmed
| story = A. C. Mugil
| starring = [[Ajay Devgn]] [[Yami Gautam]] [[Sonakshi Sinha]] [[Kunaal Roy Kapur]] [[Manasvi Mamgai]] [[Anandaraj]]
| music = '''Songs:''' [[Himesh Reshammiya]] '''Score:''' [[Sandeep Chowta]]
| cinematography = Vijay Kumar Arora
| editing = Bunty Nagi
| studio = Baba Films
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2014|12|05}}
| distributor = [[Eros International]]
| runtime = 144 minutes<ref name="BIO Report">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2470 |title=Action Jackson – Movie – Box Office India |access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR|link=yes}}93 [[crore]]<ref name="boxofficeindia">{{cite web | url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2470 | title=Action Jackson - Movie - Box Office India }}</ref>
| gross = {{INR|link=yes}}88.87 crore<ref name="boxofficeindia"/><ref name="Box Office">{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/action-jackson/box-office/ |title=Action Jackson Box Office |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=5 December 2014 |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref>
}}

'''''Action Jackson''''' is a 2014 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[action film|action comedy film]] directed by [[Prabhu Deva]] and produced by Gordhan P. Tanwani and Sunil Lulla.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/action-jackson-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotc5mzy|title=Action Jackson|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>.The name of the film [[Kick (2014 film)|Kick]] (2014) is borrowed from the [[Action Jackson (1988 film)|1988 American film]]. It stars [[Ajay Devgn]] in a [[dual role]], alongside [[Yami Gautam]], [[Sonakshi Sinha]], [[Manasvi Mamgai]], [[Kunaal Roy Kapur]] and [[Anandaraj]].

''Action Jackson'' was released on 5 December 2014 to negative reviews from critics and [[box-office bomb|bombed at the box office]].

==Plot==
In [[Mumbai]], Vishi, a small-time crook who would do anything for money, falls in love with Khushi, a simple HR executive. Vishi, who frequently gets involved in fights, publicly beats up a street gangster. The gangster later brutally beats up Vishi and easily escapes. It is then revealed that the person they had beaten is Jai, Vishi's lookalike, leading them to be badly battered. [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Shirke chases Vishi, who escapes. However, Shirke then arrests Jai and hands him over to a group of gangsters led by Pedro, but Jai single-handedly kills them all. It is revealed that Jai is AJ, a professional assassin.

'''Past''': AJ works as a right-hand man for Xavier Fonseca, a crime boss in [[Bangkok]] centrally operating in New Delhi and Mumbai. He single-handedly rescues Xavier's sister Marina from a bunch of kidnappers. Marina soon falls for Jai, but he rejects her as he is married to Anusha. An enraged Xavier tries to kill Anusha to get AJ married to Marina, which leaves her brutally injured. Jai escapes to India, and he is in the process of getting her treated.

'''Present''': Vishi spots Jai and soon learns about his past. Jai asks Vishi to go to Bangkok disguised as AJ in order to fool Xavier and Marina, while he makes time to get Anusha operated on as she is expecting a baby. Vishi agrees to help and goes to Bangkok with his friend Musa. Shirke finds AJ's lookalike and tries to inform Xavier, but he is murdered in a style that triggers suspicion in Xavier's mind. Upon realizing the situation, Marina tortures Musa to find out the truth, and Musa reveals that Vishi is the one who masqueraded as AJ. Xavier hatches a plan to bring AJ to Bangkok by kidnapping Anusha and her child.

However, it is revealed that Vishi is actually in Mumbai as he and AJ switched their places in the airport at a time after the job was done. AJ reaches the spot and kills all of Xavier's henchmen. In a fight with Marina, AJ smashes her against the furnace, and Marina is burned alive. After killing Xavier, AJ runs away with Anusha. Later, the child is revealed to be safe, rescued by one of Xavier's henchmen, Robert. AJ and Vishi meet at the airport, and Anusha requests that Vishi marry Khushi soon.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Ajay Devgn]] in a [[dual role]] as
**Jai alias AJ
**Vishi
*[[Sonakshi Sinha]] as Khushi, Vishi's love interest
*[[Yami Gautam]] as Anusha, Jai's wife
*[[Kunaal Roy Kapur]] as Moosa
*[[Manasvi Mamgai]] as Marina Fonseca, Xavier's sister
*[[Anandaraj]] as Xavier Fonseca, AJ's boss and Marina's brother
*[[Jeetu Verma]] as Chotu
*[[Razak Khan]] as Lala Godbole, Xavier's henchman
*[[Arti Puri]] as Khushi's friend
*[[Ankita Bhargava]] as Khushi's friend
*Vinita Menon as Khushi's friend
*Myra Joshi as Khushi's friend
*[[Nataša Stanković]] as Natasha, Anusha's friend
*[[Puru Raaj Kumar]] as Inspector Shirke
* Ganesh Yadav as Inspector Mayekar
*[[Ketan Karande]] as Pedro
*[[Shaji Choudhary]] as Mumbai gang goon
*Rocky Verma as Xavier's henchmen in New Zealand
*[[Sulabha Arya]] as Vishi's neighbour
*Mahesh Rale as Police Commissioner
*[[Nalneesh Neel]] as Paanwala
*Poorva Parag as Khushi's mother
}}

=== Cameo appearance ===
*[[Shawar Ali]] as Nawab, Xavier's rival
*[[Rajesh Khattar]] as an arms dealer
*[[Prabhas]] (in the song "Punjabi Mast")
*[[Shahid Kapoor]] (in the song "Punjabi Mast")
*[[Prabhu Deva]] (in the song "AJ Theme")

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Action Jackson
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2014|06|11}}
| recorded = 2014
| venue = [[Mumbai]]
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature Film Soundtrack]]
| length =
| label = [[Eros Music]]
| producer = Himesh Reshammiya
| prev_title = [[Kick (2014 film)|Kick]]
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = [[Prem Ratan Dhan Payo]]
| next_year = 2015
}}

The soundtrack was composed by [[Himesh Reshammiya]], while the lyrics were written by [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]] and [[Sameer (lyricist)|Sameer]]. The introduction of "Gangster Baby" is from "Adiyae Kolluthe" from ''[[Vaaranam Aayiram]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141121/entertainment-bollywood/gallery/gangster|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122024010/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141121/entertainment-bollywood/gallery/gangster|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2014|title = Ajay Devgn turns baddie with Manasvi Mamgai in new song 'Gangster Baby'|date = 21 November 2014}}</ref> which itself is based off of [[AC/DC]]'s [[Ballbreaker|"Love Bomb"]].

===Track listing===
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| collapsed =
| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title5 = Keeda
| note5 =
| length5 = 3:06
| lyrics5 = [[Shabbir Ahmed (lyricist)|Shabbir Ahmed]]
| music5 = [[Himesh Reshammiya]]
| writer5 =
| extra5 = Himesh Reshammiya, [[Neeti Mohan]]
| title2 = Punjabi Mast

| note2 =
| length2 = 4:14
| lyrics2 = [[Sameer Anjaan|Sameer]]
| music2 = Himesh Reshammiya
| writer2 =
| extra2 = [[Ankit Tiwari]], Neeti Mohan, Arya Acharya, [[Alamgir Khan (singer)|Alamgir Khan]], Vineet Singh

| title4 = Chichora Piya
| note4 =
| length4 = 4:27
| lyrics4 = Sameer
| music4 = Himesh Reshammiya
| writer4 =
| extra4 = [[Shalmali Kholgade]], Himesh Reshammiya

| title1 = Dhoom Dhaam
| note1 =
| length1 = 4:38
| lyrics1 = Sameer
| music1 = Himesh Reshammiya
| writer1 =
| extra1 = Ankit Tiwari, [[Palak Muchhal]]

| title3 = Gangster Baby
| length3 = 4:40
| lyrics3 = Shabbir Ahmed
| music3 = Himesh Reshammiya
| extra3 = [[Neeraj Shridhar]], Neeti Mohan

| title6 = Keeda
| note6 = remix
| length6 = 3:00
| lyrics6 = Shabbir Ahmed
| music6 = Himesh Reshammiya
| extra6 = Himesh Reshammiya, Neeti Mohan

| title7 = Punjabi Mast
| note7 = remix
| length7 = 3:53
| lyrics7 = Shabbir Ahmed
| music7 = Himesh Reshammiya
| extra7 = Himesh Reshammiya, Ankit Tiwari, Neeti Mohan, Arya Acharya, Alamgir Khan, Vineet Singh

| title8 = Chichora Piya
| note8 = remix
| length8 = 4:08
| lyrics8 = Sameer
| music8 = Himesh Reshammiya
| extra8 = Himesh Reshammiya, [[Shalmali Kholgade]]

| title9 = Keeda
| note9 = reprise
| length9 = 3:06
| lyrics9 = Shabbir Ahmed
| music9 = Himesh Reshammiya
| extra9 = Himesh Reshammiya, Neeti Mohan

| total_length = 35:12
}}

==Reception==
''Action Jackson'' received mixed to negative reviews from critics who praised Devgn's performances, cinematography, music and action sequences, but criticised its humor and script.

Gayatri Sarkar from ''[[Zee News]]'' gave 1/5 stars and wrote that the film failed to entertain the audience.<ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/action-jackson’-review-fails-to-entertain_1509858.html ‘Action Jackson’ review: Unapologetically unentertaining].[[Zee News]]. Gayatri Sarkar. 7 December 2014.</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] rated the film 3/5 stars, feeling that the film has excessive action.<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/action-jackson-review-the-film-is-an-orgy-of-bloody-fight-scenes/516632-47-84.html 'Action Jackson' review: The film is an orgy of bloody fight scenes]{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.IBN live. [[Rajeev Masand]]. 5 December 2014.</ref> Under a headline calling the film a feminist milestone, Raja Sen for ''[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]'' rated it 3/5 stars, saying that while the film is filled with "relentless absurdity", the women propel the narrative in a refreshing way.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-action-jackson-is-a-milestone-in-feminist-cinema/20141205.htm Review: Action Jackson is a milestone in feminist cinema – Rediff.com Movies]. Rediff.com (5 December 2014). Retrieved on 21 September 2015.</ref> Rachit Gupta of ''[[Filmfare]]'' gave a similar rating of 3/5 stars stating that the genre mixing of unscripted comedy and stylized action is "too inconsistent to garner any appreciation".<ref>[http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-action-jackson-7895.html Movie Review: Action Jackson]. Filmfare.com (5 December 2014). Retrieved on 21 September 2015.</ref> ''[[Mumbai Mirror]]'' similarly gave 3/5 stars and responded positively.<ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Film-review-Action-Jackson/articleshow/45385270.cms Film review: Action Jackson]. Mumbai Mirror (5 December 2014). Retrieved on 21 September 2015.</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|action_jackson_2014}}
* {{Mojo title|actionjackson2014}}

{{Prabhu Deva}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:2014 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2014 Indian films]]
[[Category:2014 action thriller films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:2014 masala films]]
[[Category:Gun fu films]]
[[Category:Indian pregnancy films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Austria]]
[[Category:Films directed by Prabhu Deva]]
[[Category:Films scored by Himesh Reshammiya]]
[[Category:2014 martial arts films]]