O. P. Dhankar

2021-07-06T05:19:55Z

2409:4051:203:9B8D:D192:CB4B:33F:F05B:

{{COI|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = O. P. Dhankar
| image = Om Prakash Dhankhar.jpg
| caption =Om Prakash Dhankhar
| office = [[List of current state presidents of Bharatiya Janata Party|State President of Bharatiya Janata Party]],<br />Haryana Unit
| term_start = 19 July 2020
| office1 = [[Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of Haryana]]
| chief Minister1 = [[Manohar Lal Khattar]]
| term_start1 = 26 October 2014
| term_end1 = 23 October 2019
| constituency1 = [[Badli]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|08|01|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Jhajjar district|Dhakla]], [[East Punjab|Punjab]], [[India]]<br />(now in [[Haryana]], [[India]])
| residence = [[Jhajjar]]
| alma_mater = [[Maharishi Dayanand University]]
| occupation = [[Academician]], [[Social Activist]], [[Politician]], [[Agriculturist]]
| profession =
| nationality = [[India]]n
| party = [[Bhartiya Janta Party]]
| spouse =
| children = Aditya, Ashutosh
| successor1 =
| signature =
| awards =
| website = {{URL|https://www.bjpharyana.org/}}
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
| source =
}}

'''Om Prakash Dhankar''' also known as '''O. P. Dhankar''' (born 1 August 1961), was a [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]] [[Minister (government)|Minister]] in the Bharatiya Janata Party run [[Government of Haryana]] till 2019.,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/well-literate-mlas-with-modest-financial-backgrounds-inducted-in-manohar-lal-khattars-cabinet/ |title = Well-literate MLAs with modest financial backgrounds inducted into Khattar's Cabinet|date = 27 October 2014}}</ref> is an Indian politician and social activist, belonging to the [[Bhartiya Janata Party]] (BJP).

He is the national coordinator for the [[Narendra Modi]]’s dream project- ''[[Statue of Unity]]'' Iron Collection Corporation Committee. O P Dhankar has been elected twice as BJP Kisan Morcha President (2011-2013), (2013-2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kisanmorcha.bjp.org/Press%20Release/MSP%20ENG.pdf|title=Meagre increase in support prices of Kharif crops unfortunate – Kisan Morcha|last=|first=|date=10-06-2011|publisher=|work=BJP Kisan Morcha|accessdate=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006152843/http://kisanmorcha.bjp.org/Press%20Release/MSP%20ENG.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =National Executive: Kisan Morcha BJP|work=Bharatiya Janata Party Press Release|year=2013| url = http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8749:list-of-bjp-kisan-morcha-working-committee-2013-&catid=68:press-releases&Itemid=494 | accessdate = 2014-10-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = BJP Kisan Morcha to hold two-day national executive meet |work=[[Zee News]] | url = http://zeenews.india.com/news/haryana/bjp-kisan-morcha-to-hold-two-day-national-executive-meet_937438.html |date=June 5, 2014| accessdate = 2014-10-01 }}</ref>

==Early life and background==
O.P. Dhankhar was born in Village [[Dhakla, Jhajjar]] district in 1961 in the family of Vaid Mohabbat Singh and Smt Chhoto Devi. His grandfather Shri Raghuvir Singh worked as a Station Master for [[Indian Railways]]. The Philanthropic credentials of his family date back to his great grandfather who mobilized efforts to build the first school in his native village. Dhankhar received his elementary education from the village school before earning his Masters & M. Ed. from the [[Maharshi Dayanand University|Maharishi Dayanand University]], [[Rohtak]].

After his education, he served as a Geography Lecturer at [[Bhiwani]] for 11 years. As an academic, he published a book on analysis of education sector, with views on education reforms and issues concerning student lives.<ref>{{cite web | title = Om Prakash Dhankar biography
| publisher=BJPHaryana.org | url = https://www.bjpharyana.org/bjpharyanapresident.php }}</ref>

==Social work==
He has been associated with [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) since 1978 as a [[RSS swayamsevak|Swayamsevak]]. In his words, he was driven by a mission and zeal to work for social causes and issues affecting youth and thus he worked for [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) from 1980 to 1996. He was part of various socio political movements and worked for youth affairs concerning systemic change in education sector. Later, he joined [[Swadeshi Jagaran Manch]] movement. To establish his credentials as a keen observer of life and dynamics of a civilized society, Mr. Dhankar delivered a rendition on Emotions Management.

Given the skewed [[sex ratio]] in Haryana and increasing instance of illegal trafficking of Bihari brides by Haryanavi males, O.P. Dhankhar advised a social solution and measured approach to resolve issues by developing bonds between Haryanvi and Bihari families through government intervention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/bjp-leader-op-dhankar-stokes-controversy-promises-bihari-wives-for-haryana-men_945483.html|title=BJP leader OP Dhankar stokes controversy, promises 'Bihari wives for Haryana men'|work=Zee News|accessdate=4 October 2014|date=6 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/op-dhankar-bjp-leader-sexist-remark-bihar-bride-haryana-men/1/370102.html|title=BJP leader OP Dhankar promises Haryana men brides from Bihar|publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref> This solution also courted controversy and there were opposing voices from Bihar leaders such as [[Lalu Yadav]] and [[Sharad Yadav]]. However, [[Sushil Modi]] supported O.P. Dhankhar on this issue.

==Political career==
His political association spans over 30 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana/dhankar-flays-nod-for-field-trials-of-gm-seeds/article1-1191361.aspx|title=Dhankar flays nod for field trials of GM seeds|work=hindustantimes.com/|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/HAR-mistake-or-plan-bjp-minister-om-prakash-accidentally-speech-at-congress-stage-4562015-NOR.html|title=Mistake or plan BJP minister Om Prakash accidentally speech at Congress stage - daily.bhaskar.com|work=daily.bhaskar.com|accessdate=4 October 2014|date=27 March 2014}}</ref>

He has held key positions such as State General Secretary, State President, National Secretary, and National President in various BJP and its affiliate organizations. After eighteen years of association with RSS, in 1996 he joined BJP and performed duties as a national secretary during [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee]] era. He was Pradesh Prabhari for [[Himachal Pradesh]] and greatly contributed to BJP government formation in the hilly state.

He has held various [[padayatra]]s and cycle yatras to agitate and protest against meager compensation and arbitrary land acquisition for [[Special economic zone|Special Economic Zone]]. BJP Kisan Morcha has been demanding for implementation of recommendation of MS Swaminathan Commission, whereby 50% profit on input cost should be given to farmers. BJP had even promised in its election manifesto to implement Swaminathan Commission recommendation.

===National President of BJP’s Kisan Morcha===
Om Prakash Dhankhar got elected as National President of BJP’s Kisan Morcha twice in a row. As national president of BJP’s Kisan Morcha, OP Dhankhar worked<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh/bjp-kisan-morcha-meeting-at-bahadurgarh-on-june-7-8/article1-1225022.aspx|title=BJP Kisan Morcha meeting at Bahadurgarh on June 7, 8|work=hindustantimes.com/|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref> & raised a range of issues namely Land Acquisition, Pesticide Management,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana/dhankar-flays-nod-for-field-trials-of-gm-seeds/article1-1191361.aspx|title=Dhankar flays nod for field trials of GM seeds|work=hindustantimes.com/|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref> Farmer’s Suicide, Farming Reforms. Swaminathan Report Implementation etc. O.P. Dhankhar played a key role in bringing about a Land Acquisition Handbook which addresses issues of farmers and industry alike by allowing enough opportunity for industrial growth.

===National Coordinator of Sardar Patel ''[[Statue of Unity]]'', Iron Collection Corporation Committee===
O.P. Dhankhar is National Coordinator, ''[[Statue of Unity]]'', Iron Collection Corporation Committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/patel-statue-will-bring-farmers-into-national-agenda-bjp/article5455954.ece|title=Patel statue will bring farmers into national agenda: BJP|newspaper=The Hindu|accessdate=4 October 2014|date=13 December 2013|last1=Ramachandran|first1=Smriti Kak}}</ref> ''Statue of Unity'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statueofunity.in/|title=Statue of Unity - Presenting Tallest Statue of The World|publisher=Thehindu.com|accessdate=4 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091552/http://www.statueofunity.in/|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mr Narendra Modi’s dream project is touted to be the largest statue and an architectural marvel in the world. Iron and soil for the 182 metres tall statue of Sardar Patel, which will come up near the [[Sardar Sarovar Dam]] on the [[Narmada River]], is being collected from farmers from across the country, thus making iron collection drive for the ''Statue Of Unity'' a nationwide socio cultural movement. Shri Narendra Modi assigned Mr Dhankhar a key role as the National Co-ordinator, Statue Of Unity, Iron Collection Corporation Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjp.org/en/media-resources/photo-gallery/2013/december/shri-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-shri-om-prakash-dhankar-and-shri-shrikant-sharma-during-press-conference-at-11-ashok-road-new-delhi-on-nationwide-programme-run-for-unity-on-december-13-2013/shri-mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-shri-om-prakash-dhankar-and-shri-shrikant-sharma-during-press-conference-at-11-ashok-road-new-delhi-on-nationwide-programme-run-for-unity-on-december-13-2013-23755|title=Photo Gallery - Category: Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Shri Om Prakash Dhankar and Shri Shrikant Sharma during press conference at 11, Ashok Road, New Delhi on nationwide programme 'Run for Unity' on December 13, 2013 - Image: Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Shri Om Prakash Dhankar and Shri Shrikant Sharma during press conference at 11, Ashok Road, New Delhi on nationwide programme 'Run for Unity' on December 13, 2013|publisher=Bjp.org|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref>

===2014 Rohtak Lok Sabha Election: Lost===
In 2014, he contested from Rohtak Parliamentary constituency against the son of Chief Minister, Haryana, [[Deepender Singh Hooda]]. O.P. Dhankhar finished second with 319436 votes (31%) and the [[Indian National Lok Dal]] candidate finished a poor third.

During Jhajjar Lok Sabha rally in April, Shri Narendra Modi has reportedly called O.P. Dhankhar as his close confidant and dedicated political leader who has effortlessly worked for last 30 years.

===2014 Haryana Vidhan Sabha Election: Won===
He successfully contested as BJP’s candidate from badali constituency (by garnering 36.48% of total polled votes) in the [[2014 Haryana Legislative Assembly election]]. Shri Om Prakash Dhankhar was a front runner<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-BJP-leaders-emerge-front-runners-for-chief-ministers-post-in-Haryana/articleshow/36359307.cms|title=4 BJP leaders emerge front-runners for chief minister's post in Haryana|work=The Times of India|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref> claimant for the leadership position in the eventuality of BJP forming a government in Haryana in 2014 Assembly Elections. He led one of the legs of the four Vijay Sankalp Yatras organized by BJP for 2014 Haryana Assembly Elections.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-09/news/52620674_1_haryana-bjp-ram-bilas-sharma-bjp-kisan-morcha|title=BJP to begin Haryana election campaign from August 14|work=The Economic Times|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abplive.in/india/2014/08/09/article377625.ece/BJP-to-begin-Haryana-election-campaign-Aug-14|title=BJP to begin Haryana election campaign Aug 14|work=english|accessdate=4 October 2014}}</ref>

===2014: Cabinet Minister of Haryana===
The [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]] [[Minister (government)|Minister]] Om Prakash Dhankar has independent charge of the following 5 departments,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/well-literate-mlas-with-modest-financial-backgrounds-inducted-in-manohar-lal-khattars-cabinet/ |title = Well-literate MLAs with modest financial backgrounds inducted into Khattar's Cabinet|date = 27 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/haryanas-first-bjp-cm-manohar-lal-khattar-sworn-in/articleshow/44937943.cms |title = Haryana Assembly Polls 2014: Haryana's first BJP CM Manohar Lal Khattar sworn in|newspaper = The Economic Times|date = 26 October 2014}}</ref> which makes him 4th most influential in [[Government of Haryana]] after [[List of Chief Ministers of Haryana|Chief Minister of Haryana]] [[Manohar Lal Khattar]] who holds 18 departments, [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]] [[Minister (government)|Minister]] [[Abhimanyu Sindhu|Captain Abhimanyu Singh Sindhu]] who holds 13 departments and [[Cabinet Minister]] [[Ram Bilas Sharma (politician)|Ram Bilas Sharma]] who holds 9 departments.
* [[Department of Agriculture, Haryana]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023236/http://agriharyana.nic.in/ Official website]
* [[Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Haryana]], [http://pashudhanharyana.gov.in Official website]
* [[Department of Fisheries, Haryana]] [http://harfish.gov.in Official website]
* [[Department of Development & Panchayats, Haryana]], [http://haryanadp.gov.in Official website]
* [[Department of Irrigation, Haryana]] [http://hid.gov.in Official website]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.opdhankhar.in/ O P Dhankhar's official website]
* [http://kisanmorcha.bjp.org/ BJP Kisan Morach, official website]
* [https://www.bjpharyana.org/ BJP Haryana, official website]

{{commons|left|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
{{Haryana elections}}

{{Haryana}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhankar, O. P.}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Haryana]]
[[Category:Members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:People from Jhajjar district]]
[[Category:National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members]]
[[Category:Asian agrarianists]]
[[Category:Haryana MLAs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Haryana]]
[[Category:State Presidents of Bharatiya Janata Party]]

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O. P. Dhankar