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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Short description|Indian politician and lawyer}}{{Use Indian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|image         = The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad briefing the media on the importance of the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS 2017), in New Delhi.jpg
| image               = The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad briefing the media on the importance of the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS 2017), in New Delhi.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption            =
|alt           = Ravi Shankar Prasad
| image_size         = 250px
|office       = [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications]]
| alt                 = Ravi Shankar Prasad
|primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| office             = [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of India]]
|term_start    = 30 May 2019
| suboffice          = [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications]]
|term_end      =
| subterm            = 30 May 2019–7 July 2021
|deputy = [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]
| suboffice1          = [[Minister of Electronics and Information Technology]]
|predecessor  = [[Manoj Sinha]]
| subterm1            = 5 July 2016–7 July 2021
|successor    =  
| suboffice2          = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]]
|office2        = [[Minister of Electronics and Information Technology]]
| subterm2            = 5 July 2016–7 July 2021
|president2 = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br>[[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| suboffice3          = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]]
|primeminister2  = [[Narendra Modi]]
| subterm3            = 26 May 2014–9 November 2014
|deputy2        = [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]
| suboffice4          = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
|term_start2    = 5 July 2016
| subterm4            = 26 May 2014–5 July 2016
|term_end2      =
| suboffice5          = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]]
|predecessor2    = ''Ministry formed''
| subterm5            = 29 January 2003–22 May 2004
|successor2      =
| suboffice6          = [[Minister of Law and Justice|Minister of state in the Ministry of Law and Justice]]
|office3        = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]]
| subterm6            = 1 July 2002–29 January 2003
|president3 = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br>[[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| suboffice7          = [[Ministry of Coal|Minister of state in the Ministry of Coal]]<br/>[[Ministry of Mines (India)|Minister state in the Ministry of Mines]]
|primeminister3 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| subterm7            = 1 September 2001–1 July 2002
|term_start3    = 5 July 2016
| office10           = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|term_end3      =
| constituency10     = [[Patna Sahib (Lok Sabha constituency)|Patna Sahib]]
|predecessor3  = [[D. V. Sadananda Gowda]]
| term_start10       = 23 May 2019
|successor3    =
| term_end10         =  
|primeminister4 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor10       = [[Shatrughan Sinha]]
|term_start4    = 26 May 2014
| successor10         =  
|term_end4      = 9 November 2014
| office11           = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
|predecessor4  = [[Kapil Sibal]]
| constituency11     = [[Bihar]]
|successor4    = [[D. V. Sadananda Gowda]]
| term_start11       = 3 April 2000
|office5        = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
| term_end11         = 30 May 2019
|primeminister5 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| successor11         = [[Ram Vilas Paswan]]
|term_start5    = 26 May 2014
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1954|8|30|df=y}}
|term_end5      = 5 July 2016
| birth_place         = [[Patna]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
|predecessor5    = [[Kapil Sibal]]
| party               = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|successor5      = ''bifurcated as Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology''
| alma_mater         = [[Patna University]] ([[B.A.|BA]], [[M.A.|MA]], [[LLB]])
|office6        = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]]
| profession         = [[Lawyer]]
|primeminister6 = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| spouse             = Maya Shankar
|term_start6    = 29 January 2003
|term_end6      = 22 May 2004
|predecessor6  = [[Sushma Swaraj]]
|successor6    = [[Jaipal Reddy]]
| office7      = [[Minister of Law and Justice|Minister of state in the Ministry of Law and Justice]]
| primeminister7 = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| minister7      = [[Jana Krishnamurthy]]
| predecessor7  = [[O. Rajagopal]]
| successor7    = [[P. C. Thomas]]
| term_start7    = 1 July 2002
| term_end7      = 29 January 2003
| office8      = [[Ministry of Coal|Minister of state in the Ministry of Coal]]<br/>[[Ministry of Mines (India)|Minister state in the Ministry of Mines]]
| primeminister8 = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| minister8      =
| predecessor8  =
| successor8    =
| term_start8    = 1 September 2001
| term_end8      = 1 July 2002
| office10   = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency10 = [[Patna Sahib (Lok Sabha constituency)|Patna Sahib]]
| term_start10     = 23 May 2019
| term_end10       =  
| predecessor10     = [[Shatrughan Sinha]]
| successor10       =  
| office11       = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency11= [[Bihar]]
| term_start11 = 3 April 2000
| term_end11     = 29 May 2019
|successor11 = [[Ram Vilas Paswan]]
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1954|8|30|df=y}}
|birth_place   = [[Patna]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
|party         = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|alma_mater     = [[Patna University]] ([[B.A.|BA]], [[M.A.|MA]], [[LLB]])  
|profession     = [[Lawyer]]
|spouse         = Maya
}}
}}
'''Ravi Shankar Prasad''' (born 30 August 1954) is an Indian lawyer, politician and the current [[Union Minister]] holding the [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Law and Justice]], [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology|Electronics and Information Technology]] and [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Communications]] portfolios in the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Government of India, Ministry of Communications|url=https://dot.gov.in/minister/mocshri-ravi-shankar-prasad}}</ref> A member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], Prasad represents the [[Patna Sahib (Lok Sabha constituency)|Patna Sahib]] constituency.<ref>[https://www.businesstoday.in/lok-sabha-elections-2019/news/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-ravi-shankar-prasad-wins-in-patna-sahid-defeats-congress-shatrughan-sinha/story/349623.html "Patna Sahib Election Results 2019: Ravi Shankar Prasad wins against Congress' Shatrughan Sinha"], businesstoday, Retrieved on 28 May 2019.</ref> During the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA Government]] under [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]'s prime ministership, Prasad was appointed Minister of Coal and Mines, Minister of Law and Justice, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}
'''Ravi Shankar Prasad''' (born 30 August 1954) is an [[Politics of India|Indian politician]] and lawyer, from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/ravi-shankar-prasad|url-status=live|access-date=15 October 2021|website=National Portal of India}}</ref> A Member of [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] since 2000, first in the [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Rajya Sabha]] (2000-2019) and then in the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha]] (since 2019), Prasad has served as [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Minister]] multiple times: As Minister of State, he served in the ministries of [[Ministry of Coal|Coal]] (2001-2003), [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Law and Justice]] (2002-2003), and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Information and Broadcasting]] (2003-2004) under [[Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership]]; as Cabinet Minister, he held the Law and Justice (2014, 2016-2021), [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Communications]] (2014-2016, 2019-2021), and [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology|Electronics and Information Technology]] (2014-2021) portfolios under [[Premiership of Narendra Modi|Narendra Modi's premiership]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Members Bioprofile|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=5219|url-status=live|access-date=15 October 2021|website=Lok Sabha}}</ref>


In 2018 according to ''The Economic Times'' he features among the top twenty influential world leaders in digital technology and e-government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ravi-shankar-prasad-among-top-twenty-most-influential-people-in-digital-government/articleshow/65340151.cms|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad among top twenty most influential people in Digital Government|date=2018-08-09|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> Under his tenure, India significantly improved digital inclusion coverage in rural areas and his department's work on cybersecurity, data privacy, and several new e-governance activities have been considered as a cornerstone of creating a [[Digital India]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}
In 2018, Prasad was placed among the top twenty influential world leaders in digital technology and e-government, with his role in the [[Digital India]] programme and support for [[Net neutrality in India|net neutrality]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ravi-shankar-prasad-among-top-twenty-most-influential-people-in-digital-government/articleshow/65340151.cms|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad among top twenty most influential people in Digital Government|date=2018-08-09|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|last=Doval|first=Pankaj|date=24 November 2017|title=Facebook, other social media giants won’t get net exclusivity:Government|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fb-others-wont-get-net-exclusivity/articleshow/61774736.cms|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> His term as Union Minister was marked with the repeal of 1500 archaic laws, the landmark resolution of the [[Ayodhya dispute|Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute]], handling of [[Rafale deal controversy|litigation over the purchase of Rafale fighter planes]], and digitisation of 15000 [[Trial court|trial courts]]. On the other hand, his tenure also saw controversy over the proposed [[National Judicial Appointments Commission]], constant friction between [[Judiciary of India|the judiciary]] and [[Executive (government)|the executive]], and rows with social media platforms [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] over local rules.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Mahapatra|first=Dhananjay|date=10 July 2021|title=Prasad’s 5-year tenure saw Ayodhya & Rafale cases settled, old laws junked|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prasads-5-year-tenure-saw-ayodhya-rafale-cases-settled-old-laws-junked/articleshow/84285142.cms|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Das Gupta|first=Moushumi|date=7 July 2021|title=Javadekar, Pokhriyal, RS Prasad, Harsh Vardhan — why Modi govt dropped big names from Cabinet|work=[[The Print]]|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/ramesh-pokhriyal-santosh-gangwar-harsh-vardhan-why-modi-govt-dropped-big-names-from-cabinet/691522/|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
He was born in a religious [[Chitraguptvanshi Kayastha]] family in [[Patna]], [[Bihar]].<ref name=Kayastha>{{cite news|last1=Vyas|first1=Hari Shankar|title=Brahmins in Congress on tenterhooks|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/foray/backbone/brahmins-in-congress-on-tenterhooks.html|access-date=1 June 2014|work=The Pioneer|date=7 April 2013}}</ref> His father [[Thakur Prasad]] was a senior advocate at the [[Patna High Court]] and one of the leading founders of the [[Jan Sangh]], the predecessor of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. His sister, Anuradha Prasad wife of Mr [[Rajeev Shukla]] is the owner of BAG Films and Media Ltd and former congress spokesperson.
He was born in a religious [[Chitraguptvanshi Kayastha]] family in [[Patna]], [[Bihar]].<ref name=Kayastha>{{cite news|last1=Vyas|first1=Hari Shankar|title=Brahmins in Congress on tenterhooks|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/foray/backbone/brahmins-in-congress-on-tenterhooks.html|access-date=1 June 2014|work=The Pioneer|date=7 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=26 May 2014|title=Team Modi: Ravi Shankar Prasad - Lawyer of 'Ram Lalla'|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/highlights/story/team-modi-ravi-shankar-prasad-lawyer-of-ram-lalla-194545-2014-05-26|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> His father [[Thakur Prasad]] was a senior advocate at the [[Patna High Court]] and one of the leading founders of the [[Jan Sangh]], the predecessor of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="First Post - appointment" /> His sister Anuradha Prasad is the owner of BAG Films and Media Ltd, and the wife of [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] politician [[Rajeev Shukla]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 January 2018|title=BJP Observes 98th Birth Anniversary of Thakur Prasad|work=Patna Daily|url=https://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/13220-bjp-observes-98th-birth-anniversary-of-thakur-prasad.html|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


Prasad earned BA Hons, MA ([[Political Science]]) and [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B]] degrees from [[Patna University]] and has a son and a daughter.<ref name="First Post - appointment">{{cite web|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad: The new telecom minister may find his hands full|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ravi-shankar-prasad-the-new-telecom-minister-may-find-his-hands-full-1543163.html|website=www.firstpost.in|access-date=1 June 2014}}</ref>
Prasad earned [[Bachelor of Arts|BA Hons]], [[Master of Arts|MA]] ([[Political Science]]) and [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B]] degrees from [[Patna University]].<ref name="First Post - appointment">{{cite web|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad: The new telecom minister may find his hands full|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ravi-shankar-prasad-the-new-telecom-minister-may-find-his-hands-full-1543163.html|website=www.firstpost.in|access-date=1 June 2014}}</ref> He became a member of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] in 1969. Prasad participated in the student movement in Bihar led by [[Jayaprakash Narayan]], and was imprisoned during [[The Emergency (India)|the Emergency]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=[[Business Standard]]|url=https://www.business-standard.com/topic/ravi-shankar-prasad|access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref>


== Law career ==
== Law career ==
Prasad has been practising at the [[Patna High Court]] since 1980. He was designated senior advocate at the Patna High Court in 1999 and Senior Advocate at the [[Supreme Court of India]] in 2000.<ref name=TNIE />
Prasad has been practising at the Patna High Court (HC) since 1980. He was designated Senior Advocate at the Patna HC in 1999 and Senior Advocate at the [[Supreme Court of India]] in 2000.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="TNIE">{{cite news|date=26 May 2014|title=Prasad Returns to Union Cabinet with a Bag of Experience|work=The New Indian Express|agency=PTI|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Prasad-Returns-to-Union-Cabinet-with-a-Bag-of-Experience/2014/05/26/article2246796.ece|access-date=1 June 2014}}</ref> He was General Secretary of the [[People's Union for Civil Liberties]] in Bihar.<ref name=":0" />


Prasad appeared in the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] [[Ayodhya dispute]] representing '[[Ram Lalla]]', the deity, in the case. He has represented former [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]] [[L. K. Advani]] and has appeared in several leading cases including ''Narmada Bachao Andolan'' Case, T. N. Thirumulpad environment cases, Bihar assembly dissolution case among others.<ref name="india today lawyer">{{cite news|title=Team Modi: Ravi Shankar Prasad – Lawyer of 'Ram Lalla'|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/team-modi-ravi-shankar-prasad---lawyer-of-ram-lalla/1/363774.html|access-date=1 June 2014|work=India Today|publisher=26 May 2014}}</ref>
Prasad appeared in the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] [[Ayodhya dispute]] representing '''[[Rama|Ram Lalla]]''<nowiki/>', the deity, in the case. He defended [[L. K. Advani|Lal Krishna Advani]] in court when the latter was arrested in Bihar during [[Ram Rath Yatra|his Rath Yatra in 1990]]. He was also the main lawyer arguing the [[Public interest litigation in India|PIL]] against former [[List of chief ministers of Bihar|Bihar Chief Minister]] [[Lalu Prasad Yadav|Lalu Prasad]] in the [[Fodder Scam|fodder scam]] that led to the jailing of several politicians and officials, including Lalu Prasad.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />


== Political career ==
== Political career ==
Prasad began his political career as a student leader in the 1970s organising protests against [[Indira Gandhi]]'s government and was also jailed when the [[The Emergency (India)|emergency]] was imposed by Gandhi's government in 1975. He worked in the student movement in Bihar under the leadership of [[Jayaprakash Narayan]] and was an active volunteer of [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP). He was associated with [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] and ABVP for many years and held various posts in the organisations. During his college days he was Assistant General Secretary of the Patna University Students Union and member of the Senate, Finance Committee, Arts and Law Faculties of the University.<ref name="First Post - appointment" /> Prasad has held several national-level assignments in the youth wing and the main party organisation of the BJP. Since 1995 Prasad has been a member of BJP National Executive, the party's top policymaking body. Recently, he oversaw the party's efforts in the [[Uttarakhand]] Assembly Elections.
Prasad began his political career as a student leader under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s, organising protests against [[Indira Gandhi]]'s government.<ref name="First Post - appointment" />  


*August 1995: Became Member, National Executive Committee, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (B.J.P.)
=== Entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party ===
*August 1996: The infamous [[Fodder Scam]] came into limelight in Bihar. Filed Public Interest Litigation in Patna High Court and demanded a probe by the CBI.
A loyalist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the beginning of his political career, Prasad was National Vice President of the [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]], the youth wing of the BJP, from 1991 to 1995. He became a Member of the BJP's National Executive Committee in 1995.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
*April 2000: Elected to Rajya Sabha for the first time.
*June 2001: National Convener Legal Cell, BJP.
*September 2001: Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal and Mines.
*July 2002: Minister of State in the [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]] (Additional charge).
*January 2003: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)]]
*August 2005: Appointed as the National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
*March 2006: Elected to Rajya Sabha for the second time.
*August 2006: Member, Standing Committee on Information Technology
*September 2006: Member, Consultative Committee for [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]]
*October 2009: Member, Executive Council of the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies.
*August 2009: Member, Consultative Committee for the [[Ministry of Finance (India)]]
*April 2010: All India General Secretary & Chief National Spokesperson of BJP.
*March 2011: Became Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum.
*April 2012: Elected to the Rajya Sabha for the third time.
*May 2012: Became Deputy Leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in [[Rajya Sabha]].
*May 2013: Became Member of the Committee on Privileges of Parliament of India.
*May 2014: Took oath as Union Minister for [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]] and [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], Government of India.
*April 2018: Elected to the Rajya Sabha for the fourth time.
*23 May 2019: Elected to the Loksabha.


In May 2019, he continued [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]] and [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]]. He was also given the charge of [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Communication Ministry]] in the Government of India.<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>
=== 2000-2004: Entry into Rajya Sabha and first ministerial roles ===
In April 2000, Prasad was elected to the [[Rajya Sabha]], the [[upper house]] of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] for the first time. Under [[Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership]], Prasad served as [[Union Council of Ministers|Minister of State]] in the ministries of [[Ministry of Coal|Coal]] (2001-2003), where he was responsible for accelerating the coal and mining reforms; [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Law and Justice]] (2002-2003); and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Information and Broadcasting]] (2003-2004). As Minister of Information and Broadcasting, he introduced reforms in the radio, television and animation sectors which improved their quality and functioning.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="First Post - appointment" />


==Personal life==
=== Opposition years ===
On 3 February 1982, Prasad married Maya Shankar, who is a Historian and Professor of History at [[Patna University]].<ref name=TNIE>{{cite news|title=Prasad Returns to Union Cabinet with a Bag of Experience|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Prasad-Returns-to-Union-Cabinet-with-a-Bag-of-Experience/2014/05/26/article2246796.ece|access-date=1 June 2014|work=The New Indian Express|agency=PTI|date=26 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=sister>{{cite web|title=Interview: Anuradha Prasad, Managing Director, BAG films|url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|website=www.bestmediainfo.com|publisher=Best Media Info|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706120252/http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|archive-date=6 July 2014 }}</ref>
Prasad was appointed as a national spokesperson of the BJP in March 2006, and was later elevated to the post of its Chief National Spokesperson in 2007. In 2010, he became the party's general secretary.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="First Post - appointment" />  


== Roles Upheld as Minister in Government of India ==
Prasad was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha for a second term in April 2006 and for a third in April 2012. As an [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|MP]], he was part of various [[List of Indian parliamentary committees|parliamentary committees]], including a [[joint parliamentary committee]] to examine matters relating to [[2G spectrum case|allocation and pricing of telecom licenses and spectrum]] from 2011 to 2013.<ref name=":2" />


===Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (26 May 2014 – 23 May 2019)===
=== Under Narendra Modi's premiership ===
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.jpg|thumb|Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.]]
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.jpg|thumb|Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.]]
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Communications, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister for Communications]], in the presence of Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]] in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.]]
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister of Law & Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.]]With the BJP-led [[National Democratic Alliance]]'s victory in the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general election]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=FP staff|date=17 May 2014|title=Election results 2014: Historic win for NDA with 336 seats, 282 for BJP|work=[[Firstpost]]|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/election-results-2014-historic-win-for-nda-with-336-seats-285-for-bjp-1526377.html|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> Prasad rose to become part of the [[First Modi ministry|Narendra Modi Cabinet]]. He was appointed as [[Minister of Law and Justice]] and [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister for Communications and Information Technology]] on 27 May, 2014. He would go on to serve three terms as Law Minister: 27 May to 9 November, 2014; 5 July, 2016 to 25 May, 2019; and 30 May, 2019 to 7 July, 2021; a tenure of more than 5 years that was second only to that of [[Ashoke Kumar Sen|Ashoke Sen]].<ref name=":4" /> Prasad was Minister of Communications and IT till the ministry's bifurcation on 5 July, 2016 into a [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Ministry of Communications]] and a [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]], following which he took charge of the latter. He was on the job till 25 May, 2019, and again from 30 May, 2019 to 7 July, 2021. During the latter period, he also held the Communications portfolio.<ref name=":2" />
Ravi Shankar Prasad was appointed as Minister for Communications and IT at the time of formation of the Government under Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]. In July 2016, this Ministry of bifurcated into the [[Ministry of Communications]] and [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]]. The new Ministry of Electronics and IT remained with Ravi Shankar Prasad after this bifurcation. Key achievements of Ravi Shankar Prasad as Minister for Electronics and IT is given as under:


'''''Growth in Electronics Manufacturing ''''': As Minister in charge of Electronics and IT Ministry, Ravi Shankar Prasad encouraged [[electronics manufacturing]] in India. In the year 2014, when Narendra Modi government took office, there were only two mobile phone manufacturing units in India. In 2019, there were 268 mobile and ancillary manufacturing units in India. Under his leadership, India became the second largest mobile phone producers in the world in 2019 from just two mobile factories in 2014. [[Samsung]] started the world's largest mobile phone manufacturing unit in Noida in 2018. Production of other consumer electronics in India also doubled in these five years.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mobile-factories-in-india-up-from-2-to-120-since-2014-pm-modi-at-samsung-noida-plant-launch-1281151-2018-07-09/ " Mobile factories in India up from 2 to 120 since 2014: PM Modi at Samsung Noida plant launch"], indiatoday, Retrieved on 3 June 2019.</ref>
==== NJAC and Judiciary-Executive faceoffs ====
One of Prasad's first acts after becoming Law Minister in 2014 was introducing legislation for the [[National Judicial Appointments Commission]], which sought to reform the collegium system by which judges select candidates to be appointed as new judges. The collegium system had been criticised as opaque. The law was unanimously passed in Parliament and ratified by more than 20 states. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court of India struck it down, arguing that the Law Minister's presence in the Appointments Commission would cripple judicial independence.<ref name=":4" />


'''''Common Service Centers:''''' Ravi Shankar Prasad took efforts to make [[Digital India]] an inclusive program to empower ordinary citizens of India. [[Common Service Centres]] or CSCs became a vehicle to achieve this objective. These Centers were developed as a digital service delivery kiosk in villages and one stop shop for all the digital services for people. Services like railway ticket booking, PAN application, [[Aadhaar]] enrollment, digital skilling, [[Ayushman Bharat]] Card, payment of utility bills, banking and insurance services etc. were offered through these kiosks. There were only 83,000 Common Service Centers in May, 2014. By March, 2019, 310,000 Centers were made functional across 200,000 Gram Panchayats or village clusters out of 250,000 Gram Panchayats of India. These centers created village level digital entrepreneurs, nearly 63,000 of those were women entrepreneurs. It is estimated that this also led to creation of nearly 1 million or 10 Lakh direct and indirect jobs.<ref>[https://www.livemint.com/Politics/XUngWpSfQ1ZPkqApK1QvXO/India-is-changing-through-CSC-egovenance-centres-Narendra.html " India is changing through CSC e-govenance centres: Narendra Modi"], livemint, Retrieved on 3 June 2019.</ref>
The following year, the Law Ministry stalled many judges' appointments by objecting to various names recommended by the Supreme Court collegium. Prasad defended [[Executive (government)|the executive]] in this faceoff with [[Judiciary of India|the judiciary]] by rolling out statistics showing an increased number of judges being appointed in the year 2016.<ref name=":4" />


'''''StreeSwabhiman Initiative''''': Leveraging the vast network of [[Common Service Centers]], Ravi Shankar Prasad encouraged manufacturing of low cost sanitary pads at these centers by rural women. More than 300 such micro sanitary pad units were started by rural entrepreneurs and it created employment for 8 to 10 rural women. Biggest impact of this initiative was in the form of spread of awareness among rural women about menstrual hygiene and the availability of low cost sanitary pads made locally. Women who manufactured these pads in their units also worked like advocacy groups in their villages and created awareness about using sanitary pads instead of other traditional methods during menstrual cycle.<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/stree-swabhiman-initiative-launched-for-women-health-and-hygiene-1517199810-1 "Stree Swabhiman Initiative launched for Women Health and Hygiene"], jagranjosh, Retrieved on 3 June 2019.</ref>
==== Ayodhya and Rafale cases ====
A successful conclusion of the [[Ayodhya dispute]] was achieved by a Supreme Court judgement in 2019, during Prasad's tenure as Law Minister.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=India Today Web Desk|date=9 November 2019|title=Ayodhya Ram Mandir case judgment: Supreme Court rules in favour of Ram Lalla {{!}} 10 Highlights|work=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-case-supreme-court-judgment-top-10-highlights-1617304-2019-11-09|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> The government also received a favourable judgement on the [[Rafale deal controversy|controversy over the purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter planes]].<ref name=":4" />


'''''Digital Literacy''''': Pradhan Mantri Digital SakshartaAbhiyan was started as the biggest digital literacy mission to make at least one adult in every household digitally literate. More than 2 Crore or 20 million adults were made digitally literate through this programme.
==== Triple ''talaq'' law ====
On 22 August, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled the [[Muslims|Muslim]] practice of instant divorce by uttering the word "''talaq''" thrice, called [[Triple talaq in India|''talaq-e-biddat'' or triple ''talaq'']], as "arbitrary and unconstitutional", violating women's [[Fundamental rights in India|right to equality]], and not integral to [[Islam]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bagriya, Ashok|first=and Sinha, Bhadra|date=23 August 2017|title=SC strikes down instant triple talaq, says practice is unconstitutional|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-strikes-down-triple-talaq-deems-it-against-tenets-of-islam/story-MG91Nll4c5KDOUkaFVsHEL.html|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> Following this landmark verdict, the NDA government tabled [[Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019|The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] in December 2017, seeking to introduce a 3-year jail term for offenders. The opposition criticised the bill for attempting to criminalise a civil wrong, with Law Minister Prasad countering the charges. While the original bill lapsed due to lack of support in the Rajya Sabha, it was passed by both Houses of Parliament on reintroduction in 2019, becoming an Act after receiving [[President of India|Presidential assent]] on 1 August, 2019. The passage of the bill despite the ruling NDA not having a majority in the Rajya Sabha was seen as a victory for Prasad and the government.<ref>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/rajya-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill/article28760822.ece "Triple Talaq Bill sails through in Rajya Sabha"], thehindubusinessline, Retrieved on 30 July 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30 "History made, triple talaq bill passed by Parliament"], indiatoday, Retrieved on 31st July2019.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=1 August 2019|title=President gives assent to triple talaq bill|work=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-bill-1575893-2019-08-01|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>


'''''Efforts Made to Promote Emerging Technologies''''': Under the leadership of Ravi Shankar Prasad, India took strides to develop a domestic ecosystem in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality etc. Ministry of Electronics and IT in collaboration with Indian IT industry set up Centers of Excellence in many of these areas in different parts of India.<ref>[https://www.analyticsinsight.net/india-makes-a-remarkable-growth-in-artificial-intelligence/ " INDIA MAKES A REMARKABLE GROWTH IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE"], analytics insight, Retrieved on 3 June 2019.</ref>
====Digital India====


'''''Promotion of Digital Services''''': Under the Digital India Mission, several digital services like eHospital, eVisa, National Scholarship Portal, [[eNAM]], [[Umang]] mobile app, [[Jeevan Pramaan]], [[Digi Locker]], [[eSign]], Swayam online learning platform, BHIM-UPI digital payment system, MyGov citizen engagement platform etc. were launched.
[[File:The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC, in New Delhi (1).jpg|thumb|Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC]]


'''''BPOs in Small Towns''''': To develop BPO industry in small towns by India BPO Promotion Schemes and North East BPO Promotion Schemes were launched. These schemes offered financial incentives for setting up BPOs in small towns. More than 200 BPO units started function in small towns like Patna, Muzaffarpur, Krimnagar, Sangli, Breilly, Badgam, Srinagar, Jammu, Sopore, Vellor, Guntur, Sagar, Kohima, Guwahati, Imphal etc.<ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/prasad-launches-bpo-centre-in-bihar-117051101054_1.html " Prasad launches BPO centre in Bihar"], business-standard, Retrieved on 3 June 2019.</ref>
As Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Prasad spearheaded the NDA government's flagship [[Digital India]] programme.<ref name=":5" /> Prasad himself has highlighted the common service centre scheme under Digital India, providing digital delivery of services and creating employment, as the biggest achievement of the government in the digital technology sector. He has also pointed out the establishment of [[Outsourcing|business processing and outsourcing units]] (BPOs) in far-flung areas and the growth of [[Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry in India|electronic manufacturing units in India]] as successful government efforts.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mukul|first=Pranav|date=28 May 2018|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad: ‘Digital India has become a mass movement in 4 years’|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/ravi-shankar-prasad-digital-india-has-become-a-mass-movement-in-4-years-5193638/|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> The [[United Kingdom|UK]]-based [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] Apolitical adjudged him as one of the top twenty leaders in the list of 100 most influential people in Digital Government in 2018.<ref name=":5" />


==Achievements==
==== Comments on Indian economy ====
Soon after taking over as a Minister for [[Ministry of Coal]] and [[Ministry of Mines (India)]], Ravi Shankar Prasad accelerated the reforms process in the mining and coal sectors. In July 2002, after taking charge of Ministry of Law and Justice (State), he prepared a bill to amend the Representation of People Act within a fortnight in 2002. In 2003, he became the information and broadcasting minister where he was responsible for introducing reforms in the radio, television, and animation which improved the quality and functioning of these sectors. He helped establish Goa as the location of the International Film Festival of India. He also led the Indian delegation to film festivals in Cannes, Venice, and London.
In October 2019, Prasad tried to defend the condition of the [[Economy of India|Indian economy]] by commenting that "[[Gandhi Jayanti|the holiday of October 2]] saw earning[s] of over [[Indian rupee|Rs]] 120 [[crore]] by three movies – ''[[War (2019 film)|War]]'', ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'' and ''[[Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy|Sye Raa]]''", indicating that "[t]he economy is sound". He also claimed that an [[National Sample Survey Office (India)|NSSO]] report on unemployment was false. The comment came on the back of industrial output figures released by the government showing how factory output had shrunk by 1.1% in August, recording the poorest performance in seven years. The [[World Bank]] had also pointed out the country's widening [[Current account (balance of payments)|current account deficit]] and predicted a further slowdown in [[economic growth]]. After coming under sharp criticism from the opposition Congress and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPIM]], Prasad withdrew the comment, stating it had been taken out of context.<ref>{{Cite news|last=HT Correspondent|date=10 July 2020|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad defends economy with 3 movies made Rs 120 cr remark. Then withdraws it|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ravi-shankar-prasad-defends-economy-with-3-movies-made-rs-120-cr-remark-then-withdraws-it/story-Ro5IYIxhAcZGBB4m7vyuNP.html|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=TNM staff|date=12 October 2019|title=Economy is sound, which is why 3 movies made Rs 120 cr: IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=[[The News Minute]]|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/economy-sound-which-why-3-movies-made-rs-120-cr-it-minister-ravi-shankar-prasad-110438|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>


In April 2002, he led the Indian delegation to the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]'s ministerial meet in [[Durban]], South Africa. Later he met [[Yasser Arafat]] in [[Ramallah]] as a member of a Non-Aligned delegation to express solidarity with him. He led the Indian delegation to the Commonwealth Law Minister Summit in [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]. He has led the Indian delegation to film festivals in [[Cannes]], Venice and London.
==== Clashes with 'Big Tech' ====
Prasad has openly supported the cause of [[Net neutrality in India|net neutrality]], insisting that internet access "is not negotiable" and “walled gardens cannot be allowed”. As Minister for Communications and IT, Prasad had denied Facebook permission for its [[Internet.org|Free Basics]] platform in India in 2016, saying it provided access to only a host of websites and services, while excluding the broader internet from its purview.<ref>{{Cite news|last=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=16 December 2017|title=Right to non-discriminatory internet access is non-negotiable: Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/right-to-non-discriminatory-internet-access-is-non-negotiable-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/62098624.cms|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=":6" />


Prasad filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Patna High Court against the Fodder Scam and demanded a probe by the CBI.
On 25 February, the [[Information Technology Rules, 2021|Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021]] were notified,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notification dated, the 25th February, 2021 G.S.R. 139(E): the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021|url=https://www.meity.gov.in/content/notification-dated-25th-february-2021-gsr-139e-information-technology-intermediary|url-status=live|access-date=12 November 2021|website=Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules-2021|url=https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Intermediary_Guidelines_and_Digital_Media_Ethics_Code_Rules-2021.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=12 November 2021|website=Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology}}</ref> seeking to regulate [[social media]] intermediaries and to tackle misuse of social media. However, Prasad and his Ministry were soon drawn into a bitter spat with [[Big Tech]] companies, especially [[Twitter]], over the implementation of these local laws. The tussle escalated as the government removed Twitter's legal protection in India as an "intermediary" on June 16 over its failure to comply with the new IT rules,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Karuna|date=17 June 2021|title=Twitter loses its legal protection in India: What it could mean for the platform and brands|work=[[Business Insider]]|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/advertising/brands/article/twitter-loses-its-legal-protection-in-india-what-it-could-mean-for-the-platform-and-brands/articleshow/83575565.cms|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Soibam Rocky|date=5 July 2021|title=Twitter failed to comply with new IT Rules: Centre to Delhi High Court|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/twitter-failed-to-comply-with-new-it-rules-centre-to-delhi-high-court/article35150130.ece|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> while Twitter temporarily locked Prasad's official handle on its platform due to a copyright violation.<ref>{{Cite news|last=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=25 June 2021|title=Twitter blocks Ravi Shankar Prasad’s account for 1 hour over ‘violation’ of US copyright laws|work=[[The Print]]|url=https://theprint.in/india/twitter-blocks-ravi-shankar-prasads-account-for-1-hour-over-violation-of-us-copyright-laws/684528/|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>


As Minister for Communication, he supported Public Sector Unit, BSNL, which he has hailed as a strategic asset, to compete with private sector Service Providers. He told the Parliament that the Government wants BSNL to flourish for the welfare of the poor and is serving even the remotest rural areas and is the first to provide services during disasters and emergencies.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/will-revive-bsnl-and-make-it-profitable-telecom-minister-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/72144313.cms?from=mdr |title = Will revive BSNL and make it profitable: Telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad|newspaper = The Economic Times|date = 20 November 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life==
 
On 3 February 1982, Prasad married Maya Shankar, who is a Historian and Professor of History at Patna University.<ref name="TNIE" /><ref name="sister">{{cite web|title=Interview: Anuradha Prasad, Managing Director, BAG films|url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706120252/http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|archive-date=6 July 2014|access-date=1 June 2014|website=www.bestmediainfo.com|publisher=Best Media Info}}</ref>
He has adopted the village of Alawalpur under Fatuha block of Patna district as a model village to be developed under the [[Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana]]. In 2021, Ravi Shankar Prasad became the first minister with 10 lakh followers on domestic Twitter "Koo".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://gadgets.techly360.com/ravi-shankar-prasad-becomes-first-minister-with-10-lakh-followers-on-koo/ |title = Ravi Shankar Prasad becomes first minister with 10 lakh followers on domestic Twitter "Koo" |newspaper = Gadgets Techly360, Retrieved on 9 April 2021}}</ref> He later turned to Koo to protest the 'locking' of his Twitter account by the platform for an hour for allegedly having violated a copyright law, the event being all the more significant as it came amid tensions between the Government of India and Twitter over a set of social media intermediary and accountability guidelines his IT Ministry had inducted.<ref>{{Cite web|last=World|first=Republic|title=Twitter replies to Republic's queries on locking Law Min's account; cites copyright policy|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/twitter-replies-to-republics-queries-on-locking-law-mins-account-cites-copyright-policy.html|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Republic World|language=en}}</ref>
 
=== Triple Talaq Ban ===
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.jpg|thumb|Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.]]
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister of Law & Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.]]
[[File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Communications, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister for Communications]], in the presence of Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]] in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.]]
The [[President of India]] gave his assent<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-bill-1575893-2019-08-01"], President gives assent to triple talaq bill, indiatoday, Retrieved on 1 August 2019.</ref> to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Act, 2019 on 1 August 2019.<ref>[[The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019]]", wikipedia, Retrieved on 1 August 2019.</ref>
 
This Law seeks to criminalize the practice of 'instant divorce' (known as [[triple talaq]]) which occurs in some parts of the [[Muslim community]], whereby a husband can divorce his wife by a pronouncement of the word 'Talaq' three times. According to [[Islamic laws]] enforced by the [[All India Muslim Personal Law Board]] of India (AIMPLB), a non-governmental body that supervises the application of Muslim personal law, the practice of instant triple Talaq was going on in India even though it was not practiced in most Islamic nations.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30 "History made, triple talaq bill passed by Parliament"], indiatoday, Retrieved on 31st July2019.</ref> The AIMPLB has been criticised for being a patriarchal organisation that does not represent Muslim women.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37273958 "India anger over Muslim board's 'patriarchal' remark"], BBC</ref>
 
The government, led by [[Prime Minister Narendra Modi]] and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, made several attempts to bring a law to ban the practice of instant [[Triple Talaq]] in 2018 and 2019 but both the attempts failed as the government did not have majority in the upper house i.e. [[Rajya Sabha]] of the [[Indian Parliament]]. Opposition parties led by [[Indian National Congress]], [[All India Trinamool Congress]] etc. opposed the reforms. However, following a third attempt, the government managed to get this law passed in Parliament in July 2019.<ref>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/rajya-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill/article28760822.ece "Triple Talaq Bill sails through in Rajya Sabha"], thehindubusinessline, Retrieved on 30 July 2019.</ref>
 
As the Law Minister of India, Ravi Shankar Prasad reintroduced the Bill in the [[Lok Sabha]] and after getting it passed from [[Lok Sabha]], it was moved into [[Rajya Sabha]] which also passed it by a majority of 99 to 84. Subsequently, the [[President of India]] gave his assent to this Bill and it became and Act.<ref>[https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/triple-talaq-bill-passed-by-rajya-sabha-massive-victory-for-narendra-modi-govt-4268231.html], Triple Talaq Bill passed by Rajya Sabha, massive victory for Narendra Modi govt, moneycontrol, Retrieved on 30 July 2019.</ref>
 
As per this Law, a Muslim woman who has been given instant triple Talaq can approach the Police station and lodge a criminal case against her husband. This was pitched by the government as a major social reform to empower Muslim women of India by bringing them out of the [[patriarchal]] atrocities practiced in their community.<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/triple-talaq-bill-live-updates-triple-talaq-bill-in-parliament-muslim-women-protection-of-rights-on-marriage-ordinance-1564471401-1"], History created in Rajya Sabha, Triple Talaq bill passed, jagranjosh, Retrieved on 30 July 2019.</ref>
 
===Digital India programme===
 
[[File:The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC, in New Delhi (1).jpg|thumb|Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC]]
 
Ravi Shankar Prasad is spearheading the [[Digital India]] programme as Minister for Electronics and Information Technology since May 2014. Recently UK based think tank [[Apolitical]] adjudged him as one of the top twenty leaders in the list of 100 most influential people in Digital Government 2018. He is the only Indian to be featured in the top twenty. He was one of the first leaders in the world who had openly supported the cause of [[net-neutrality]] and as a Minister in charge of digital affairs in India declined Facebook the permission to operate Free Basics in India. He is also known to have taken a tough stand against misuse of social media for destabilising democracy and fomenting violence in society. Led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]] sent legal notices to both Facebook and [[Cambridge Analytica]]. Unsatisfied with their responses, he ordered the criminal investigation in this data theft episode by India's apex crime investigation body, the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]. When incidents of mob violence were reported in a few parts of India by viral circulation of fake messages on Whatsapp, he took a firm stand against Whatsapp and demanded technological solutions to curb the problem of fake messages leading to violence. While responding to a debate in the [[Indian Parliament]] he openly supported the role of social media in giving a means of expression to ordinary people that they are happily using to question the politicians and media editors, he warned the social media platforms against any misuse of the platform for encouraging violence and terror. Responding to the legal notice served by [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]], Whatsapp took several steps such as mentioning the word forwarded on every message that was forwarded by a user. Whatsapp has also restricted the number of forwarded messages to a maximum of five. Besides these stern regulatory measures that were taken under the leadership of Ravi Shankar Prasad, he is also known for promoting digital development in the rural areas of India by creating a network of 300,000 village level digital entrepreneurs who are operating digital service delivery kiosks known as the [[Common Service Centers]] across India. This has not only ensured the availability of digital services in rural areas but has also created job opportunities for 1.2 million rural youth.<ref>apolitical [https://apolitical.co/lists/digital-government-world100 "World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government"], Retrieved on 9 August 2018.</ref><ref>net-neutrality [https://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/net-neutrality-ravi-shankar-prasad-says-right-of-internet-access-is-non-negotiable/story-3HATMUGp5Qg4S0xq2sBagJ.html "Net neutrality: Ravi Shankar Prasad says right of internet access is ‘non-negotiable’"], Retrieved on 23 November 2017.</ref><ref>cambridgeanalytica [https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cbi-to-probe-cambridge-analytica-data-breach-case-says-ravi-shankar-prasad-118072601139_1.html "CBI to probe Cambridge Analytica data breach case, says Ravi Shankar Prasad "], Retrieved on 26 July 2018.</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=214 Profile on Rajya Sabha's website]
* [http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=214 Profile on Rajya Sabha's website]


Revision as of 05:34, 12 November 2021

Ravi Shankar Prasad
Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India
30 May 2019–7 July 2021Minister of Communications
5 July 2016–7 July 2021Minister of Electronics and Information Technology
5 July 2016–7 July 2021Minister of Law and Justice
26 May 2014–9 November 2014Minister of Law and Justice
26 May 2014–5 July 2016Minister of Communications and Information Technology
29 January 2003–22 May 2004Minister of Information and Broadcasting
1 July 2002–29 January 2003Minister of state in the Ministry of Law and Justice
1 September 2001–1 July 2002Minister of state in the Ministry of Coal
Minister state in the Ministry of Mines
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
23 May 2019
Preceded byShatrughan Sinha
ConstituencyPatna Sahib
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
3 April 2000 – 30 May 2019
Succeeded byRam Vilas Paswan
ConstituencyBihar
Personal details
Born (1954-08-30) 30 August 1954 (age 71)
Patna, Bihar, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)Maya Shankar
Alma materPatna University (BA, MA, LLB)
ProfessionLawyer

Ravi Shankar Prasad (born 30 August 1954) is an Indian politician and lawyer, from the Bharatiya Janata Party.[1] A Member of Parliament since 2000, first in the Rajya Sabha (2000-2019) and then in the Lok Sabha (since 2019), Prasad has served as Union Minister multiple times: As Minister of State, he served in the ministries of Coal (2001-2003), Law and Justice (2002-2003), and Information and Broadcasting (2003-2004) under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership; as Cabinet Minister, he held the Law and Justice (2014, 2016-2021), Communications (2014-2016, 2019-2021), and Electronics and Information Technology (2014-2021) portfolios under Narendra Modi's premiership.[2]

In 2018, Prasad was placed among the top twenty influential world leaders in digital technology and e-government, with his role in the Digital India programme and support for net neutrality.[3][4] His term as Union Minister was marked with the repeal of 1500 archaic laws, the landmark resolution of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, handling of litigation over the purchase of Rafale fighter planes, and digitisation of 15000 trial courts. On the other hand, his tenure also saw controversy over the proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission, constant friction between the judiciary and the executive, and rows with social media platforms Twitter and Facebook over local rules.[5][6]

Early life and education

He was born in a religious Chitraguptvanshi Kayastha family in Patna, Bihar.[7][8] His father Thakur Prasad was a senior advocate at the Patna High Court and one of the leading founders of the Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[9] His sister Anuradha Prasad is the owner of BAG Films and Media Ltd, and the wife of Congress politician Rajeev Shukla.[10][8]

Prasad earned BA Hons, MA (Political Science) and LL.B degrees from Patna University.[9] He became a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in 1969. Prasad participated in the student movement in Bihar led by Jayaprakash Narayan, and was imprisoned during the Emergency.[1][11]

Law career

Prasad has been practising at the Patna High Court (HC) since 1980. He was designated Senior Advocate at the Patna HC in 1999 and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India in 2000.[1][12] He was General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties in Bihar.[1]

Prasad appeared in the Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya dispute representing 'Ram Lalla', the deity, in the case. He defended Lal Krishna Advani in court when the latter was arrested in Bihar during his Rath Yatra in 1990. He was also the main lawyer arguing the PIL against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam that led to the jailing of several politicians and officials, including Lalu Prasad.[8][11]

Political career

Prasad began his political career as a student leader under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s, organising protests against Indira Gandhi's government.[9]

Entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party

A loyalist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the beginning of his political career, Prasad was National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, from 1991 to 1995. He became a Member of the BJP's National Executive Committee in 1995.[2][11]

2000-2004: Entry into Rajya Sabha and first ministerial roles

In April 2000, Prasad was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament for the first time. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership, Prasad served as Minister of State in the ministries of Coal (2001-2003), where he was responsible for accelerating the coal and mining reforms; Law and Justice (2002-2003); and Information and Broadcasting (2003-2004). As Minister of Information and Broadcasting, he introduced reforms in the radio, television and animation sectors which improved their quality and functioning.[2][9]

Opposition years

Prasad was appointed as a national spokesperson of the BJP in March 2006, and was later elevated to the post of its Chief National Spokesperson in 2007. In 2010, he became the party's general secretary.[2][9]

Prasad was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha for a second term in April 2006 and for a third in April 2012. As an MP, he was part of various parliamentary committees, including a joint parliamentary committee to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licenses and spectrum from 2011 to 2013.[2]

Under Narendra Modi's premiership

Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.
Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.

With the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's victory in the 2014 general election,[13] Prasad rose to become part of the Narendra Modi Cabinet. He was appointed as Minister of Law and Justice and Minister for Communications and Information Technology on 27 May, 2014. He would go on to serve three terms as Law Minister: 27 May to 9 November, 2014; 5 July, 2016 to 25 May, 2019; and 30 May, 2019 to 7 July, 2021; a tenure of more than 5 years that was second only to that of Ashoke Sen.[5] Prasad was Minister of Communications and IT till the ministry's bifurcation on 5 July, 2016 into a Ministry of Communications and a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following which he took charge of the latter. He was on the job till 25 May, 2019, and again from 30 May, 2019 to 7 July, 2021. During the latter period, he also held the Communications portfolio.[2]

NJAC and Judiciary-Executive faceoffs

One of Prasad's first acts after becoming Law Minister in 2014 was introducing legislation for the National Judicial Appointments Commission, which sought to reform the collegium system by which judges select candidates to be appointed as new judges. The collegium system had been criticised as opaque. The law was unanimously passed in Parliament and ratified by more than 20 states. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court of India struck it down, arguing that the Law Minister's presence in the Appointments Commission would cripple judicial independence.[5]

The following year, the Law Ministry stalled many judges' appointments by objecting to various names recommended by the Supreme Court collegium. Prasad defended the executive in this faceoff with the judiciary by rolling out statistics showing an increased number of judges being appointed in the year 2016.[5]

Ayodhya and Rafale cases

A successful conclusion of the Ayodhya dispute was achieved by a Supreme Court judgement in 2019, during Prasad's tenure as Law Minister.[5][14] The government also received a favourable judgement on the controversy over the purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter planes.[5]

Triple talaq law

On 22 August, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled the Muslim practice of instant divorce by uttering the word "talaq" thrice, called talaq-e-biddat or triple talaq, as "arbitrary and unconstitutional", violating women's right to equality, and not integral to Islam.[15] Following this landmark verdict, the NDA government tabled The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in the Lok Sabha in December 2017, seeking to introduce a 3-year jail term for offenders. The opposition criticised the bill for attempting to criminalise a civil wrong, with Law Minister Prasad countering the charges. While the original bill lapsed due to lack of support in the Rajya Sabha, it was passed by both Houses of Parliament on reintroduction in 2019, becoming an Act after receiving Presidential assent on 1 August, 2019. The passage of the bill despite the ruling NDA not having a majority in the Rajya Sabha was seen as a victory for Prasad and the government.[16][17][18]

Digital India

Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC

As Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Prasad spearheaded the NDA government's flagship Digital India programme.[3] Prasad himself has highlighted the common service centre scheme under Digital India, providing digital delivery of services and creating employment, as the biggest achievement of the government in the digital technology sector. He has also pointed out the establishment of business processing and outsourcing units (BPOs) in far-flung areas and the growth of electronic manufacturing units in India as successful government efforts.[19] The UK-based NGO Apolitical adjudged him as one of the top twenty leaders in the list of 100 most influential people in Digital Government in 2018.[3]

Comments on Indian economy

In October 2019, Prasad tried to defend the condition of the Indian economy by commenting that "the holiday of October 2 saw earning[s] of over Rs 120 crore by three movies – War, Joker and Sye Raa", indicating that "[t]he economy is sound". He also claimed that an NSSO report on unemployment was false. The comment came on the back of industrial output figures released by the government showing how factory output had shrunk by 1.1% in August, recording the poorest performance in seven years. The World Bank had also pointed out the country's widening current account deficit and predicted a further slowdown in economic growth. After coming under sharp criticism from the opposition Congress and CPIM, Prasad withdrew the comment, stating it had been taken out of context.[20][21]

Clashes with 'Big Tech'

Prasad has openly supported the cause of net neutrality, insisting that internet access "is not negotiable" and “walled gardens cannot be allowed”. As Minister for Communications and IT, Prasad had denied Facebook permission for its Free Basics platform in India in 2016, saying it provided access to only a host of websites and services, while excluding the broader internet from its purview.[22][4]

On 25 February, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were notified,[23][24] seeking to regulate social media intermediaries and to tackle misuse of social media. However, Prasad and his Ministry were soon drawn into a bitter spat with Big Tech companies, especially Twitter, over the implementation of these local laws. The tussle escalated as the government removed Twitter's legal protection in India as an "intermediary" on June 16 over its failure to comply with the new IT rules,[25][26] while Twitter temporarily locked Prasad's official handle on its platform due to a copyright violation.[27]

Personal life

On 3 February 1982, Prasad married Maya Shankar, who is a Historian and Professor of History at Patna University.[12][28]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Ravi Shankar Prasad". National Portal of India. Retrieved 15 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Members Bioprofile". Lok Sabha. Retrieved 15 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Ravi Shankar Prasad among top twenty most influential people in Digital Government". The Economic Times. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Doval, Pankaj (24 November 2017). "Facebook, other social media giants won't get net exclusivity:Government". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Mahapatra, Dhananjay (10 July 2021). "Prasad's 5-year tenure saw Ayodhya & Rafale cases settled, old laws junked". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  6. ↑ Das Gupta, Moushumi (7 July 2021). "Javadekar, Pokhriyal, RS Prasad, Harsh Vardhan — why Modi govt dropped big names from Cabinet". The Print. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  7. ↑ Vyas, Hari Shankar (7 April 2013). "Brahmins in Congress on tenterhooks". The Pioneer. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Team Modi: Ravi Shankar Prasad - Lawyer of 'Ram Lalla'". India Today. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Ravi Shankar Prasad: The new telecom minister may find his hands full". www.firstpost.in. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "BJP Observes 98th Birth Anniversary of Thakur Prasad". Patna Daily. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Ravi Shankar Prasad". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Prasad Returns to Union Cabinet with a Bag of Experience". The New Indian Express. PTI. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  13. ↑ FP staff (17 May 2014). "Election results 2014: Historic win for NDA with 336 seats, 282 for BJP". Firstpost. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. ↑ India Today Web Desk (9 November 2019). "Ayodhya Ram Mandir case judgment: Supreme Court rules in favour of Ram Lalla | 10 Highlights". India Today. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  15. ↑ Bagriya, Ashok, and Sinha, Bhadra (23 August 2017). "SC strikes down instant triple talaq, says practice is unconstitutional". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 11 November 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "Triple Talaq Bill sails through in Rajya Sabha", thehindubusinessline, Retrieved on 30 July 2019.
  17. ↑ "History made, triple talaq bill passed by Parliament", indiatoday, Retrieved on 31st July2019.
  18. ↑ Press Trust of India (1 August 2019). "President gives assent to triple talaq bill". India Today. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  19. ↑ Mukul, Pranav (28 May 2018). "Ravi Shankar Prasad: 'Digital India has become a mass movement in 4 years'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  20. ↑ HT Correspondent (10 July 2020). "Ravi Shankar Prasad defends economy with 3 movies made Rs 120 cr remark. Then withdraws it". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 November 2021. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ↑ TNM staff (12 October 2019). "Economy is sound, which is why 3 movies made Rs 120 cr: IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad". The News Minute. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  22. ↑ Press Trust of India (16 December 2017). "Right to non-discriminatory internet access is non-negotiable: Ravi Shankar Prasad". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  23. ↑ "Notification dated, the 25th February, 2021 G.S.R. 139(E): the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021". Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Retrieved 12 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ "Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules-2021" (PDF). Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Retrieved 12 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Sharma, Karuna (17 June 2021). "Twitter loses its legal protection in India: What it could mean for the platform and brands". Business Insider. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  26. ↑ Singh, Soibam Rocky (5 July 2021). "Twitter failed to comply with new IT Rules: Centre to Delhi High Court". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  27. ↑ Press Trust of India (25 June 2021). "Twitter blocks Ravi Shankar Prasad's account for 1 hour over 'violation' of US copyright laws". The Print. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Interview: Anuradha Prasad, Managing Director, BAG films". www.bestmediainfo.com. Best Media Info. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.

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