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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Short description|Indian politician (b. 1974)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}  
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}  
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    =  
| honorific_prefix    =  
| image              = Shri Anurag Singh Thakur MIB.jpg
| image_size          = 300px
| caption            =
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
| birth_place        = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
Line 9: Line 12:
| death_date          =  
| death_date          =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| office            = [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of India]]
| office            = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]]
| term_start        = 31 May 2019
| term_start        = 7 July 2021
| suboffice        = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]]
| term_end =
| subterm          = 7 July 2021 - Incumbent
| predecessor = [[Prakash Javadekar]]
| subterm1        = 7 July 2021 - Incumbent
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
  | suboffice1       = [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]]
  | office1       = [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]]
  | suboffice2       = [[Ministry of Finance|Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs]]
| term_start1 = 7 July 2021
  | subterm2         = 31 May 2019 - 7 July 2021  
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Kiren Rijiju]]
| successor1 =
| primeminister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
  | office2       = [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs]]
| primeminister2 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| minister2 = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 = [[Bhagwat Karad]]<br/>[[Pankaj Chaudhary]]
  | term_start2         = 31 May 2019  
| term_end2 =  7 July 2021  
| office5            = President of [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| office5            = President of [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| term_start5        = 2011
| term_start5        = 2011
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| term_end3          =  
| term_end3          =  
| predecessor3        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]
| predecessor3        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]
| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
| majority3          = 3,99,572 (40.41%)
| majority3          = 3,99,572 (40.41%)
| office4            = [[List of Board of Control for Cricket in India presidents|33rd President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
| office4            = [[List of Board of Control for Cricket in India presidents|33rd President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
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| alma_mater          = [[Doaba College]] ([[B.A]])
| alma_mater          = [[Doaba College]] ([[B.A]])
| spouse              = Sheffali Thakur
| spouse              = Sheffali Thakur
| image              = Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in July 2021.jpg
| image_size          =
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| branch              = {{army|India}}
| branch              = {{army|India}}
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| mawards            =  
| mawards            =  
}}
}}
'''Anurag Singh Thakur''' (born 24 October 1974) is a member of the [[Lok Sabha|Lower House of Parliament]] in [[India]] (Lok Sabha) from [[Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]], and the current Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Thakur also served as a Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]]. He is the son of [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]], the former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/The-rise-and-fall-of-Anurag-Thakur/article16977833.ece|title=The rise and fall of Anurag Thakur|last=Kesavan|first=N.|date=2017-01-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He is a four time MP, being a member of [[14th Lok Sabha|14th]], [[15th Lok Sabha|15th]], [[16th Lok Sabha|16th]], and [[17th Lok Sabha]]. He was awarded the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019, an award established in 2010 by private organisations for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.
'''Anurag Singh Thakur''' (born 24 October 1974) is an Indian politician from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Hamirpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]. He is the current Minister of [[Ministry of Sports (India)|Sports, Youth Affairs]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]] in the [[Second Modi ministry]]. Previously, Thakur served as a Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]]. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anurag-thakurs-political-journey-a-tale-of-struggle-patience-and-thorns/articleshow/84206351.cms| title=Anurag Thakur's political journey: A tale of struggle, patience and thorns |work=TimesofIndia|date=7 July 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> Coming from a political family of [[Himachal Pradesh]], he is a four time MP, being a member of [[14th Lok Sabha|14th]], [[15th Lok Sabha|15th]], [[16th Lok Sabha|16th]], and [[17th Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/lok-sabha-poll-in-hamirpur-dropped-fathers-surname-to-find-my-own-identity-says-bjps-anurag-thakur-on-bucking-anti-dynasty-trend-6549471.html| title=Lok Sabha poll in Hamirpur: 'Dropped father's surname to find my own identity,' says BJP's Anurag Thakur on bucking anti-dynasty trend |work=firstpost|date=1 May 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> On January 19, 2019 he became the first Member of Parliament from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 by private organisations for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bjp-mp-anurag-thakur-honoured-with-sansad-ratna-award-119012000016_1.html|title=BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award|work=business-standard|date=20 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>


He was the [[President (corporate title)|president]] of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017. He was fired from his position of BCCI president after the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] ordered him to cease and desist works within BCCI.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anurag-thakur-former-bcci-president-apologises-to-supreme-court/story-4gQp31AzjpOdEEkllbL9dK.html|title=Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court|date=2017-03-06|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en}}</ref> On 29 July 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/anurag-thakur-territorial-army-bjp-mp-2942887/|title=Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army|date=2016-07-29|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-US}}</ref>
He was the [[President (corporate title)|president]] of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017, and had to leave that position after the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] order on BCCI governance.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anurag-thakur-former-bcci-president-apologises-to-supreme-court/story-4gQp31AzjpOdEEkllbL9dK.html|title=Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court|date=2017-03-06|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en}}</ref> On July 29, 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/anurag-thakur-territorial-army-bjp-mp-2942887/|title=Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army|date=2016-07-29|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Captain Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 at [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur]]. He is the eldest son of [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] and Sheela Devi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|author=Nora Chopra|title=Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind|work=[[The Sunday Guardian]]|date=20 November 2011|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> He studied
Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 in [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]] and his family belongs to the [[Hindu]] [[Rajput]] community.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachal/bjp-works-out-caste-equation-carefully-756554|title=BJP works out caste equation carefully|work=The Trobune|date=11 April 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> He is the eldest son of [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] and Sheela Devi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|author=Nora Chopra|title=Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind|work=[[The Sunday Guardian]]|date=20 November 2011|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> His father, [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] was the former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]. He has done his bachelors [[B.A.]] degree from [[Doaba College]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/anurag-singh-thakur |title=Anurag Singh Thakur |publisher= Government of India |quote= He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab}}</ref>
[[B.A.]] at [[Doaba College]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/anurag-singh-thakur |title=Anurag Singh Thakur |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher= Government of India |quote= He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab}}</ref>
 
Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of [[Gulab Singh Thakur]], former Minister in the Government of [[Himachal Pradesh]], on 27 November 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bjp-candidate-from-joginder-nagar-assembly-seat-in-himachal-gulab-singh-thakur-2577796.html|title=BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur|last=Deepika|date=7 November 2017|website=www.oneindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017-seven-time-mla-gulab-singh-thakur-ready-for-final-poll-innings-from-joginder-nagar-4922067/|title=Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar|date=4 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/himachal-pradesh-polls-parkash-rana-thakur-jewan-thakur-gulab-singh-thakur-joginder-nagar-set-for-triangular-contest-4914529/|title=Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
[[File:Anurag Thakur with Nirmala Sitharaman.jpg|thumb|Captain Anurag Thakur meets Smt. [[Nirmala Sitharaman]], Minister of Finance after taking the charge of Minister of State for Finance]]
[[File:Anurag Thakur with Nirmala Sitharaman.jpg|thumb|Captain Anurag Thakur meets Smt. [[Nirmala Sitharaman]], Minister of Finance after taking the charge of Minister of State for Finance]]
In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, Thakur was appointed the president of the All India Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.<ref>
In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, Thakur was appointed the president of the All India Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/404.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627024230/http://eciresults.nic.in/frmWinnerList.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Election Commission of India|archivedate=27 June 2009|website=results.eci.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal%20Pradesh |title=Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010101/http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal+Pradesh |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
[http://eciresults.nic.in/frmWinnerList.aspx ECI Winners List Himachal Pradesh]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627024230/http://eciresults.nic.in/frmWinnerList.aspx |date=27 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal%20Pradesh |title=Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010101/http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal+Pradesh |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
He was honored with the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019 for outstanding performance in the 16th Lok Sabha.
He was honored with the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019 for outstanding performance in the 16th Lok Sabha.
In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] }}</ref>
In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>


In December 2019, he was accused of being one of the political leaders who incited communal riots in Delhi using hate speech "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a [[BJP]] rally.<ref>{{citation |title=Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/anurag-thakur-goli-maro-chants-at-delhi-election-rally_in_5e2f9a7bc5b68f86c8cd03b5 |work=[[Huffington Post]] |date=28 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-03|title=Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goli-maarna-band-karo-opposition-protests-against-union-minister-anurag-thakur-in-parliament/story-q4Rl9jfKBla0QdFx9hIgGK.html|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> On being questioned about the statements by the media on March 1, 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and  “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.”.
On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information & Broadcasting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/former-bcci-president-anurag-thakur-appointed-as-indias-new-minister-of-youth-affairs-and-sports/ |title=Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports |work=SportsTiger |date=7 July 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> in the [[Second Modi ministry]] as part of changes in the [[Union Council of Ministers]]. <ref name="auto"/>
<ref>{{Cite web|title='Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters|url=https://thewire.in/politics/anurag-thakur-hate-speech|website=The Wire|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information & Broadcasting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/former-bcci-president-anurag-thakur-appointed-as-indias-new-minister-of-youth-affairs-and-sports/ |title=Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India’s new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports |work=SportsTiger |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>


==Cricket career==
==Cricket career==
===Cricket player and Controversy===
===Professional player===
Anurag Thakur played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in November 2000 when he was the president of HPCA. He has played one match in first-class cricket representing Himachal Pradesh and leading the team as captain in a match against Jammu and Kashmir in the 2000/2001 season. Jammu and Kashmir won by 4 wickets. He "picked himself" for the match so as to fulfill the BCCI criterion (which requires state administrators to have at least one first-class match experience) for becoming a selector at the state level. After the match, he appointed himself as the chairman of selectors of HPCA Ranji trophy cricket team.<ref name="anuragthakur.in|title">{{Cite web|url= http://www.anuragthakur.in|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Official Website-Home}}</ref>
Anurag Thakur played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in November 2000 when he was the president of HPCA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-the-curious-case-of-anurag-thakur-the-cricketer-2185336|title=The curious case of Anurag Thakur, the cricketer|first=Chander Shekhar|last=Luthra|date=4 March 2016|website=DNA India}}</ref> He has played one match in first-class cricket representing Himachal Pradesh and leading the team as captain in a match against Jammu and Kashmir in the 2000/2001 season. Jammu and Kashmir won by 4 wickets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/cricket/071016/anurag-thakur-was-my-first-ball-victim-in-his-only-ranji-match-jammu-bowler.html|title=Found Anurag Thakur to be an average player: Ex-J&K bowler|first=Bipin|last=Dani|date=7 October 2016|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> He "picked himself" for the match so as to fulfill the BCCI criterion (which requires state administrators to have at least one first-class match experience) for becoming a selector at the state level.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/anurag-thakur-former-himachal-cms-son-turned-hpca-into-a-company-after-benefitting-from-state-largesse/articleshow/31431494.cms?from=mdr|title=Anurag Thakur, former Himachal CM's son, turned HPCA into a company after benefitting from state largesse|first=Sruthijith K.|last=K|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> After the match, he appointed himself as the chairman of selectors of HPCA Ranji trophy cricket team.<ref name="anuragthakur.in|title">{{Cite web|url=http://www.anuragthakur.in|title=Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Official Website-Home}}</ref>


He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/high-court-restores-dharamshala-cricket-stadium-to-anurags-hpca/|date=2013-11-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref>
This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/842147.html|title=Who is Anurag Thakur?|website=Cricinfo|access-date=2016-04-12}}</ref>


=== Cricket administrator ===
=== Administrative head ===
He was the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) until Supreme Court of India sacked Anurag Thakur as president on 02/01/2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.
Thakur served as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for four straight terms since 2000. His tenure saw development of five stadia in [[Himachal Pradesh]] including the stadium in Dharamsala.<ref name="auto"/>


This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/842147.html|title=Who is Anurag Thakur?|website=Cricinfo|access-date=2016-04-12}}</ref>
He was the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) until Supreme Court of India order on 02/01/2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.


Thakur continued to rise up the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.<ref name=bcci>{{cite news|title=Joint Secretary of BCCI |url=http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222050707/http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |archive-date=22 December 2011 }}</ref> On 22 May 2016, Thakur became the president of BCCI, and in January 2017, he was removed from the post by the Supreme Court from the post of BCCI president for not complying with its orders and making false statements under oath before the Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rautray|first=Samanwaya|date=2017-01-03|title=Supreme Court sacks Anurag Thakur, Ajay Shirke from BCCI|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> The Supreme Court gave its ruling on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 3 January 2017|last1= Rautray|first1= Samanwaya}}</ref>
Thakur rose up the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.<ref name=bcci>{{cite news|title=Joint Secretary of BCCI |url=http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222050707/http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |archive-date=22 December 2011 }}</ref> On 22 May 2016, Thakur became the president of BCCI, and in January 2017, he was removed from the post by the Supreme Court from the post of BCCI president for not complying with its orders and making false statements under oath before the Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rautray|first=Samanwaya|date=2017-01-03|title=Supreme Court sacks Anurag Thakur, Ajay Shirke from BCCI|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> The Supreme Court gave its ruling on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 3 January 2017|last1= Rautray|first1= Samanwaya}}</ref>


== Territorial Army ==
== Territorial Army ==
[[File:The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh conferring the rank of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|The [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]], [[General Dalbir Singh]] conferring the rank of [[lieutenant]] in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]] on Shri '''Anurag Singh Thakur''', Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in [[New Delhi]] on July 29, 2016.]]  
[[File:The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh conferring the rank of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|The [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]], [[General Dalbir Singh]] conferring the rank of [[lieutenant]] in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]] on Shri '''Anurag Singh Thakur''', Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in [[New Delhi]] on July 29, 2016.]]  
In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the territorial army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-MP-BCCI-chief-Anurag-Thakur-to-join-Territorial-Army/articleshow/53412729.cms|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Joins Territorial Army}}</ref>
In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the territorial army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-mp-bcci-chief-anurag-thakur-to-join-territorial-army/articleshow/53412729.cms|title=BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
 
==Controversies==
===Political controversies===
In the 2019 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using hate speech "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a [[BJP]] rally.<ref>{{citation |title=Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/anurag-thakur-goli-maro-chants-at-delhi-election-rally_in_5e2f9a7bc5b68f86c8cd03b5 |work=[[Huffington Post]] |date=28 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-03|title=Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goli-maarna-band-karo-opposition-protests-against-union-minister-anurag-thakur-in-parliament/story-q4Rl9jfKBla0QdFx9hIgGK.html|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> On being questioned about the statements by the media on March 1, 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and  “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.”.
<ref>{{Cite web|title='Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters|url=https://thewire.in/politics/anurag-thakur-hate-speech|website=The Wire|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref>


==Personal life==
=== Sports controversies ===
Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of [[Gulab Singh Thakur]], former Public Works Department minister in the government of [[Himachal Pradesh]], on 27 November 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bjp-candidate-from-joginder-nagar-assembly-seat-in-himachal-gulab-singh-thakur-2577796.html|title=BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur|last=Deepika|date=7 November 2017|website=www.oneindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017-seven-time-mla-gulab-singh-thakur-ready-for-final-poll-innings-from-joginder-nagar-4922067/|title=Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar|date=4 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/himachal-pradesh-polls-parkash-rana-thakur-jewan-thakur-gulab-singh-thakur-joginder-nagar-set-for-triangular-contest-4914529/|title=Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest|date=31 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/c-3-bjp-mp-anurag-thakur-cast-vote-in-hamirpur-himachal-pradesh-ch0491-NOR.html|title=पत्नी के साथ पिता के लिए वोट करने पहुंचे अनुराग ठाकुर, स्नड्डद्वद्बद्य4 क्कद्धशह्लशह्य|date=9 November 2017|website=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/high-court-restores-dharamshala-cricket-stadium-to-anurags-hpca/|date=2013-11-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> There was also controversy over his appointment as the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) and he had to leave that position following a Supreme Court order.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4249 Anurag Singh Thakur] at [[Government of India]] website
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website|url=http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4249|name=Profile on [[Government of India]] website}}
* {{cricinfo|ref=ci/content/player/842245.html}}
* {{cricinfo|ref=ci/content/player/842245.html}}
* {{Official website|https://anuragthakur.in/}}


{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}
{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}

Revision as of 22:56, 19 August 2021


Anurag Thakur
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur MIB.jpg
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Assumed office
7 July 2021
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byPrakash Javadekar
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Assumed office
7 July 2021
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byKiren Rijiju
Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs
In office
31 May 2019 – 7 July 2021
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
MinisterNirmala Sitharaman
Succeeded byBhagwat Karad
Pankaj Chaudhary
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
25 May 2008
Preceded byPrem Kumar Dhumal
ConstituencyHamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Majority3,99,572 (40.41%)
33rd President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India
In office
22 May 2016 – 2 January 2017
Preceded byShashank Manohar
Succeeded byC. K. Khanna
President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha
In office
2011–2016
Preceded byAmit Thaker
Succeeded byPoonam Mahajan
Personal details
Born (1974-10-24) 24 October 1974 (age 50)
Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)Sheffali Thakur
ResidenceSameerpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Alma materDoaba College (B.A)
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Army
RankCaptain of the Indian Army.svg Captain
UnitTerritorial Army

Anurag Singh Thakur (born 24 October 1974) is an Indian politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. He is the current Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi ministry. Previously, Thakur served as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[1] Coming from a political family of Himachal Pradesh, he is a four time MP, being a member of 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Lok Sabha.[2] On January 19, 2019 he became the first Member of Parliament from Bharatiya Janata Party to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 by private organisations for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.[3]

He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017, and had to leave that position after the Supreme Court order on BCCI governance.[4] On July 29, 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the Territorial Army.[5]

Early life and education

Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and his family belongs to the Hindu Rajput community.[6] He is the eldest son of Prem Kumar Dhumal and Sheela Devi.[7] His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal was the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He has done his bachelors B.A. degree from Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab. [8]

Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of Gulab Singh Thakur, former Minister in the Government of Himachal Pradesh, on 27 November 2002.[9][10][11]

Political career

Captain Anurag Thakur meets Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance after taking the charge of Minister of State for Finance

In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, Thakur was appointed the president of the All India Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.[12][13] He was honored with the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019 for outstanding performance in the 16th Lok Sabha. In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.[14]

On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Information & Broadcasting.[15] in the Second Modi ministry as part of changes in the Union Council of Ministers. [1]

Cricket career

Professional player

Anurag Thakur played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in November 2000 when he was the president of HPCA.[16] He has played one match in first-class cricket representing Himachal Pradesh and leading the team as captain in a match against Jammu and Kashmir in the 2000/2001 season. Jammu and Kashmir won by 4 wickets.[17] He "picked himself" for the match so as to fulfill the BCCI criterion (which requires state administrators to have at least one first-class match experience) for becoming a selector at the state level.[18] After the match, he appointed himself as the chairman of selectors of HPCA Ranji trophy cricket team.[19]

This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.[20]

Administrative head

Thakur served as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for four straight terms since 2000. His tenure saw development of five stadia in Himachal Pradesh including the stadium in Dharamsala.[1]

He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until Supreme Court of India order on 02/01/2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.

Thakur rose up the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.[21] On 22 May 2016, Thakur became the president of BCCI, and in January 2017, he was removed from the post by the Supreme Court from the post of BCCI president for not complying with its orders and making false statements under oath before the Supreme Court.[22] The Supreme Court gave its ruling on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.[23]

Territorial Army

The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh conferring the rank of lieutenant in the Territorial Army on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi on July 29, 2016.

In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the territorial army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.[24]

Controversies

Political controversies

In the 2019 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using hate speech "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a BJP rally.[25][26] On being questioned about the statements by the media on March 1, 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.”. [27]

Sports controversies

He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.[28] There was also controversy over his appointment as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and he had to leave that position following a Supreme Court order.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Anurag Thakur's political journey: A tale of struggle, patience and thorns". TimesofIndia. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Lok Sabha poll in Hamirpur: 'Dropped father's surname to find my own identity,' says BJP's Anurag Thakur on bucking anti-dynasty trend". firstpost. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award". business-standard. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court". hindustantimes.com. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army". The Indian Express. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "BJP works out caste equation carefully". The Trobune. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Nora Chopra (20 November 2011). "Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Anurag Singh Thakur". Government of India. He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab
  9. ↑ Deepika (7 November 2017). "BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur". www.oneindia.com.
  10. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar". 4 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest". 31 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh". Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  14. ↑ "PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers", Live Mint, 31 May 2019
  15. ↑ "Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports". SportsTiger. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Luthra, Chander Shekhar (4 March 2016). "The curious case of Anurag Thakur, the cricketer". DNA India.
  17. ↑ Dani, Bipin (7 October 2016). "Found Anurag Thakur to be an average player: Ex-J&K bowler". Deccan Chronicle.
  18. ↑ K, Sruthijith K. "Anurag Thakur, former Himachal CM's son, turned HPCA into a company after benefitting from state largesse". The Economic Times.
  19. ↑ "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Official Website-Home".
  20. ↑ "Who is Anurag Thakur?". Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Joint Secretary of BCCI". Archived from the original on 22 December 2011.
  22. ↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (3 January 2017). "Supreme Court sacks Anurag Thakur, Ajay Shirke from BCCI". The Economic Times. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  23. ↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (3 January 2017). "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI". The Economic Times.
  24. ↑ "BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  25. ↑ "Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do?", Huffington Post, 28 January 2020
  26. ↑ "Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign". Hindustan Times. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "'Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters". The Wire. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  28. ↑ "High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA". The Indian Express. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2020.

External links

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