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| predecessor3        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]
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| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh 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]]
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'''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>
'''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, Himachal Pradesh 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 long serving, four time [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], 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>  


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>
Previously, 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>
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.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
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 a 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>
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 younger 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 a 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>
 
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, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of 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>
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, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of 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>  
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]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>
 
January 19, 2019 he became the first [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] MP to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 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>
 
===Minister===
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>


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"/>
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"/>
===Goli Maro chants===
In the 2020 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using the inflammatory slogan "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> The [[Election Commission of India]] ordered that Thakur be removed from the BJP's list of star campaigners and then imposed a 72 hour campaigning ban on him.<ref>{{citation |title=EC bans Anurag Thakur for 72 hours from campaigning |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/delhi-elections-ec-ban-on-anurag-thakur-pravesh-verma-bjp-caa-shaheen-bagh-protests-6242683/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=30 January 2020 }}</ref> Following Thakur's speech, at least three incidents were reported in which [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|Anti-CAA protestors]] were fired upon.<ref>{{citation |title=Zero remorse: BJP minister who led 'shoot the traitors' chant is back on campaign trail |url=https://scroll.in/article/952001/zero-remorse-bjp-minister-who-led-shoot-the-traitors-chant-is-back-on-campaign-trail |work=[[Scroll.in|Scroll]] |date=3 February 2020 }}</ref>


==Cricket career==
==Cricket career==
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=== Administrative head ===
=== 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.<ref name="auto"/>
Thakur served as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for four straight terms since 2000. His tenure saw development of five stadium in [[Himachal Pradesh]] including the stadium in Dharamsala.<ref name="auto"/>


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.
He was the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket 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.<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>
=== Appointment as BCCI president ===
Thakur rose through 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, but his tenure was cut short when the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled 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>
 
The court dismissed Thakur on 2 January 2017 for defying its 2016 order to implement the [[Lodha Committee]] reforms.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://thewire.in/sport/anurag-thakur-bcci-lodha-committee|title=Supreme Court Sacks BCCI President Anurag Thakur|newspaper=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]|date=2 January 2017}}</ref> It also initiated contempt proceedings against Thakur<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/sports/supreme-court-accuses-anurag-thakur-of-personal-perjury-what-is-perjury/493748/|title=Supreme Court accuses Anurag Thakur of personal perjury|newspaper=Financial Express|date=2 January 2017}}</ref> for what it ''[[prima facie]]'' deemed as perjury about his correspondence with the [[International Cricket Council]]. He submitted an affidavit of apology to the court which was rejected,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/supreme-court-asks-ex-bcci-president-anurag-thakur-to-tender-unconditional-apology/story-8AAO2L8tNgomf8gw3nN5MN.html|title=Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur asked to tender unconditional apology by SC|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=7 July 2017|last1= Bagriya|first1= Ashok}}</ref> following which he filed an unconditional and unequivocal apology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/bcci-anurag-thakur-apology-supreme-court-1024138-2017-07-13|title=Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur tenders unconditional apology in contempt case|newspaper=India Today|date=13 July 2017}}</ref> The court finally relented and dropped its contempt and perjury proceedings against him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/supreme-court-drops-contempt-perjury-proceedings-against-anurag-thakur/articleshow/59599253.cms|title=Supreme Court drops contempt, perjury proceedings against Anurag Thakur|newspaper=Economic Times|date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
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>


== 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=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>
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>
 
=== 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.<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==

Revision as of 21:00, 8 August 2022


Anurag Thakur
The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur holding a press conference on Cabinet Decisions, in New Delhi on July 22, 2021 (1).jpg
Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Assumed office
7 July 2021
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byPrakash Javadekar
Minister for 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 long serving, four time Member of Parliament, being a member of 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Lok Sabha.[2]

Previously, 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.

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 younger son of Prem Kumar Dhumal and Sheela Devi.[7] His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He has done his bachelors B.A. degree from Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab. [8]

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, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.[9][10]

January 19, 2019 he became the first Bharatiya Janata Party MP to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.[11]

Minister

In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.[12]

On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Information & Broadcasting.[13] in the Second Modi ministry as part of changes in the Union Council of Ministers. [1]

Goli Maro chants

In the 2020 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using the inflammatory slogan "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a BJP rally.[14][15] 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.”. [16] The Election Commission of India ordered that Thakur be removed from the BJP's list of star campaigners and then imposed a 72 hour campaigning ban on him.[17] Following Thakur's speech, at least three incidents were reported in which Anti-CAA protestors were fired upon.[18]

Cricket career

Professional player

Anurag Thakur played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in November 2000 when he was the president of HPCA.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21] After the match, he appointed himself as the chairman of selectors of HPCA Ranji trophy cricket team.[22]

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.[23]

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 stadium in Himachal Pradesh including the stadium in Dharamsala.[1]

He was the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket 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.

Appointment as BCCI president

Thakur rose through the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.[24] On 22 May 2016, Thakur became the president of BCCI, but his tenure was cut short when the Supreme Court of India ruled 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.[25]

The court dismissed Thakur on 2 January 2017 for defying its 2016 order to implement the Lodha Committee reforms.[26] It also initiated contempt proceedings against Thakur[27] for what it prima facie deemed as perjury about his correspondence with the International Cricket Council. He submitted an affidavit of apology to the court which was rejected,[28] following which he filed an unconditional and unequivocal apology.[29] The court finally relented and dropped its contempt and perjury proceedings against him.[30]

Personal life

Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of Gulab Singh Thakur, former Minister in the Government of Himachal Pradesh, on 27 November 2002.[31][32][33]

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.[34]

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. ↑ "Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court". hindustantimes.com. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army". The Indian Express. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA". The Indian Express. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  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. ↑ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh". Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award". business-standard. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers", Live Mint, 31 May 2019
  13. ↑ "Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports". SportsTiger. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do?", Huffington Post, 28 January 2020
  15. ↑ "Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign". Hindustan Times. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  16. ↑ "'Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters". The Wire. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "EC bans Anurag Thakur for 72 hours from campaigning", The Indian Express, 30 January 2020
  18. ↑ "Zero remorse: BJP minister who led 'shoot the traitors' chant is back on campaign trail", Scroll, 3 February 2020
  19. ↑ Luthra, Chander Shekhar (4 March 2016). "The curious case of Anurag Thakur, the cricketer". DNA India.
  20. ↑ Dani, Bipin (7 October 2016). "Found Anurag Thakur to be an average player: Ex-J&K bowler". Deccan Chronicle.
  21. ↑ K, Sruthijith K. "Anurag Thakur, former Himachal CM's son, turned HPCA into a company after benefitting from state largesse". The Economic Times.
  22. ↑ "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Official Website-Home".
  23. ↑ "Who is Anurag Thakur?". Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Joint Secretary of BCCI". Archived from the original on 22 December 2011.
  25. ↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (3 January 2017). "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI". The Economic Times.
  26. ↑ "Supreme Court Sacks BCCI President Anurag Thakur". The Wire. 2 January 2017.
  27. ↑ "Supreme Court accuses Anurag Thakur of personal perjury". Financial Express. 2 January 2017.
  28. ↑ Bagriya, Ashok (7 July 2017). "Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur asked to tender unconditional apology by SC". Hindustan Times.
  29. ↑ "Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur tenders unconditional apology in contempt case". India Today. 13 July 2017.
  30. ↑ "Supreme Court drops contempt, perjury proceedings against Anurag Thakur". Economic Times. 14 July 2017.
  31. ↑ Deepika (7 November 2017). "BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur". www.oneindia.com.
  32. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar". 4 November 2017.
  33. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest". 31 October 2017.
  34. ↑ "BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.

External links

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