Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician): Difference between revisions

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{{For|others|Harsh Vardhan (disambiguation)}}
{{For|others|Harsh Vardhan (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Harsh Vardhan
| name                = Harsh Vardhan
| birthname          = Harshvardhan Goel<ref name=OriginalName>{{Cite web | url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/7-days/what-s-in-a-surname/cid/1669503 |title = What's in a surname?}}</ref>
| birthname          = Harshvardhan Goel<ref name=OriginalName>{{Cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/what-s-in-a-surname/cid/1669503 |title = What's in a surname?}}</ref>
| image              = Harsh Vardhan in 2017.jpg
| image              = Harsh Vardhan in 2017.jpg
| caption            = Vardhan at the inauguration of India-Canada Technology Summit, in [[New Delhi]], 2017
| caption            = Vardhan at the inauguration of India-Canada Technology Summit, in [[New Delhi]], 2017
Line 45: Line 45:
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start5        = {{Start date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_start5        = {{Start date|2014|05|16|df=yes}}
| term_end5          =  
| term_end5          = {{End date|2024|06|04|df=yes}}
| predecessor5        = [[Kapil Sibal]]
| predecessor5        = [[Kapil Sibal]]
| successor5          =  
| successor5          = [[Praveen Khandelwal]]
| constituency7      = [[Krishna Nagar (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Krishna Nagar]]
| constituency7      = [[Krishna Nagar (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Krishna Nagar]]
| office7            = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
| office7            = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
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| nationality        = <!-- Do not add nationality as it can be deduced from birth place as per WP:INFONAT -->
| nationality        = <!-- Do not add nationality as it can be deduced from birth place as per WP:INFONAT -->
| residence          = [[New Delhi]]
| residence          = [[New Delhi]]
| profession          = {{hlist|[[Otorhinolaryngologist]]|[[politician]]}}
| profession          = {{hlist|[[Otorhinolaryngologist]]|[[Politician]]}}
| spouse              = Nutan Goel
| spouse              = Nutan Goel
| children            = 3
| children            = 3
| alma_mater          = [[Zakir Husain Delhi College|Zakir Husain College, Delhi]]<br>[[Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College]] ([[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MB]], [[Bachelor of Surgery|BS]])<br>[[Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University]] ([[Master of Surgery|MS]])
| alma_mater          = [[Zakir Husain Delhi College|Zakir Husain College, Delhi]]<br>[[Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College]] ([[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]]) and ([[Master of Surgery|MS]])
}}
}}


'''Harsh Vardhan ''' (born '''Harshvardhan Goel''',<ref name=OriginalName /> 13 December 1954) is an Indian [[otorhinolaryngologist]]. He had served as the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India) |Minister of Health and Family Welfare]], [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]] and [[Ministry of Earth Sciences|Minister of Earth Sciences]] in the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]-led [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government of Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] from 30 May 2019 to 7 July 2021.{{Cn|date=November 2021}} He represents [[Chandni Chowk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chandni Chowk]] in Delhi as a [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] in the [[17th Lok Sabha]]. He was elected to the office of Chairperson of Executive Board of the [[World Health Organization]] from May 22, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url =https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/harsh-vardhan-is-india-s-nominee-for-lead-role-in-who-takes-over-on-friday/story-kKuJTbmDveErkC1L0bc68L.html|title =Harsh Vardhan is India's nominee for lead role in WHO, takes over on Friday|publisher =[[Hindustan Times]] |quote =The WHO, a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health, is currently at the forefront of global efforts towards containing the novel coronavirus pandemic. Health minister Harsh Vardhan will have to work closely with Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.|date =May 19, 2020|website =hindustantimes.com|author =Shishir Gupta|access-date =20 May 2020}} <br /> —{{cite news |title=Dr Harsh Vardhan set to become chairman of WHO Executive Board on May 22|quote=It may be noted that Dr. Harsh Vardhan's taking over of the post in just a formality as it was decided last year that India's nominee would be elected to the executive board for a three-year term in May 2020. The post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups. Further, the post is not a full-time assignment and Dr. Harsh Vardhan will only chair the board's meetings.|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dr-harsh-vardhan-set-to-become-chairman-of-who-executive-board-on-may-22-2825373}}</ref> Vardhan has been prominent in the [[Indian government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|Indian government's response]] to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news|date=2021-04-18|title=Covid-19: How India failed to prevent a deadly second wave|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56771766|access-date=2021-06-03}}</ref> He later resigned from his cabinet post ahead of the cabinet reshuffle in July 2021.{{Cn|date=November 2021}}
'''Harsh Vardhan ''' (born '''Harshvardhan Goel''',<ref name=OriginalName /> 13 December 1954) is an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[politician]] and [[otorhinolaryngologist]]. He had served as the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of Health and Family Welfare]], [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]] and [[Ministry of Earth Sciences|Minister of Earth Sciences]] in the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]-led [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government of Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] from 30 May 2019 to 7 July 2021.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} He represents [[Chandni Chowk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chandni Chowk]] in [[Delhi]] as a [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] in the [[17th Lok Sabha]]. He was elected to the office of chairperson of the executive board of the [[World Health Organization]] from 22 May 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url =https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/harsh-vardhan-is-india-s-nominee-for-lead-role-in-who-takes-over-on-friday/story-kKuJTbmDveErkC1L0bc68L.html|title =Harsh Vardhan is India's nominee for lead role in WHO, takes over on Friday |quote =The WHO, a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health, is currently at the forefront of global efforts towards containing the novel coronavirus pandemic. Health minister Harsh Vardhan will have to work closely with Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.|date =19 May 2020|website =The Hindustan Times|author =Shishir Gupta|access-date =20 May 2020}} <br /> —{{cite news |title=Dr Harsh Vardhan set to become chairman of WHO Executive Board on May 22|quote=It may be noted that Dr. Harsh Vardhan's taking over of the post in just a formality as it was decided last year that India's nominee would be elected to the executive board for a three-year term in May 2020. The post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups. Further, the post is not a full-time assignment and Dr. Harsh Vardhan will only chair the board's meetings.|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dr-harsh-vardhan-set-to-become-chairman-of-who-executive-board-on-may-22-2825373}}</ref> Vardhan has been prominent in the [[Indian government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|Indian government's response]] to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news|date=2021-04-18|title=Covid-19: How India failed to prevent a deadly second wave|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56771766|access-date=2021-06-03}}</ref> He later resigned from his cabinet post ahead of the [[2021 Indian cabinet reshuffle|cabinet reshuffle]] in July 2021.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}
 
He retired from active politics on 4 March 2024 after allegedly being denied a ticket for the [[2024 Indian general election|2024 Lok Sabha elections]].<ref name="Denied ticket from Chandni Chowk, BJP MP Harsh Vardhan bows out of active politics">{{cite news |last1=The Hindu |title=Denied ticket from Chandni Chowk, BJP MP Harsh Vardhan bows out of active politics |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/denied-lok-sabha-ticket-from-chandni-chowk-bjp-mp-harsh-vardhan-bows-out-of-active-politics/article67910008.ece |access-date=4 March 2024 |date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304154815/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/denied-lok-sabha-ticket-from-chandni-chowk-bjp-mp-harsh-vardhan-bows-out-of-active-politics/article67910008.ece|archive-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Political career==
==Political career==
In 1993, Vardhan was elected as a member of the Delhi Assembly representing Krishna Nagar.<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1993/StatRep_DL_93.pdf 1993 Election Commission of India]</ref> He was appointed as the State Minister of Health and Minister of Law for Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/harsh-vardhan.html|title=Dr. Harsh Vardhan Biography|publisher=elections.in|access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> He later became the state Minister of Education in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Harshvardhan-is-new-Delhi-BJP-president/articleshow/30687698.cms|title=Harshvardhan is new Delhi BJP president|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 February 2014|access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> He has been re-elected from the same constituency in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 elections.<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1998/StatisticalReport-DEL98.pdf 1998 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_NOV_2003/StatisticalReports_DEL_Nov2003.pdf 2003 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2008/stats_DL_2008.pdf 2008 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU0567.htm?ac=60|title=Page Not Found|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191056/http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU0567.htm?ac=60|archive-date=2 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In 1993, Vardhan was elected as a member of the Delhi Assembly representing Krishna Nagar.<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1993/StatRep_DL_93.pdf 1993 Election Commission of India]</ref> He was appointed as the State Minister of Health and Minister of Law for Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/harsh-vardhan.html|title=Dr. Harsh Vardhan Biography|publisher=elections.in|access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> He later became the state Minister of Education in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Harshvardhan-is-new-Delhi-BJP-president/articleshow/30687698.cms|title=Harshvardhan is new Delhi BJP president|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 February 2014|access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> He has been re-elected from the same constituency in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 elections.<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1998/StatisticalReport-DEL98.pdf 1998 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_NOV_2003/StatisticalReports_DEL_Nov2003.pdf 2003 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2008/stats_DL_2008.pdf 2008 Election Commission of India]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU0567.htm?ac=60|title=Assembly Elections December 2013 Results – NCT OF Delhi – KRISHNA NAGAR|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191056/http://eciresults.ap.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU0567.htm?ac=60|archive-date=2 January 2014}}</ref>


===Minister of Health and Family Affairs of Delhi===
===Minister of Health and Family Affairs of Delhi===
Vardhan as the State Minister of Health in 1994 oversaw the implementation of the pilot project of the Pulse Polio Programme which involved the mass immunisation of 1 million children up to the age of 3 in Delhi.<ref>{{cite journal |author= T Jacob-John|author2=VM Vashishta  |date=May 2013  |title=Eradicating poliomyelitis: India's journey from hyperendemic to polio-free status |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Research |volume=137 |issue=5 |pages=881–94 |pmid=    23760372 |pmc=3734678 }}</ref> In 1995, this programme was launched nationwide leading to 88 million children being immunised.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/india/Polio_Booklet-final_%2822-02-2012%29V3.pdf|title=From 200,000 to zero: the journey to a polio free India|publisher=UNICEF|page=8|date=22 February 2012|access-date=11 June 2014}}</ref> On 28 March 2014, India was declared polio-free by the WHO, as there had been no reported cases for three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/28/india-10-other-asian-countries-declared-polio-free|title=India and 10 other Asian countries declared polio free|work=The Guardian|date=28 March 2014}}</ref>
Vardhan as the State Minister of Health in 1994 oversaw the implementation of the pilot project of the Pulse Polio Programme which involved the mass immunisation of 1 million children up to the age of 3 in Delhi.<ref>{{cite journal |author= T Jacob-John|author2=VM Vashishta  |date=May 2013  |title=Eradicating poliomyelitis: India's journey from hyperendemic to polio-free status |journal=Indian Journal of Medical Research |volume=137 |issue=5 |pages=881–94 |pmid=    23760372 |pmc=3734678 }}</ref> In 1995, this programme was launched nationwide leading to 88 million children being immunised.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/india/Polio_Booklet-final_%2822-02-2012%29V3.pdf|title=From 200,000 to zero: the journey to a polio free India|publisher=UNICEF|page=8|date=22 February 2012|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611123829/http://www.unicef.org/india/Polio_Booklet-final_(22-02-2012)V3.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 28 March 2014, India was declared polio-free by the WHO, as there had been no reported cases for three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/28/india-10-other-asian-countries-declared-polio-free|title=India and 10 other Asian countries declared polio free|work=The Guardian|date=28 March 2014}}</ref>


In 1997, the Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act was passed in the Delhi assembly which was one of the first anti-tobacco laws implemented by any state government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Smoking-fine-may-go-up-in-Delhi/articleshow/2691335.cms|title=Smoking fine may go up in Delhi|work=The Times of India|date=11 January 2008}}</ref> The act applied across the NCT of Delhi. It prohibited smoking in places of public work or use for example hospitals, restaurants, and educational institutions and in public service vehicles. It also prohibited the sale of smoking substances such as tobacco and beedis to anyone below the age of eighteen. Smoking products could not also be sold or stored within 100 metres of any educational institution. Under the provisions of the act, fines would be applied to anyone who contravened the law and they could potentially be ejected from places of public use by the police.<ref name=Smoke>{{cite web|url= http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/security/rpf/Files/law/BareActs/Delhismoking.doc|title=The Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act, 1996|publisher=Indian Railways|format=.doc|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref>
In 1997, the Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act was passed in the Delhi assembly which was one of the first anti-tobacco laws implemented by any state government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Smoking-fine-may-go-up-in-Delhi/articleshow/2691335.cms|title=Smoking fine may go up in Delhi|work=The Times of India|date=11 January 2008}}</ref> The act applied across the NCT of Delhi. It prohibited smoking in places of public work or use for example hospitals, restaurants, and educational institutions and in public service vehicles. It also prohibited the sale of smoking substances such as tobacco and beedis to anyone below the age of eighteen. Smoking products could not also be sold or stored within 100 metres of any educational institution. Under the provisions of the act, fines would be applied to anyone who contravened the law and they could potentially be ejected from places of public use by the police.<ref name=Smoke>{{cite web|url= http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/security/rpf/Files/law/BareActs/Delhismoking.doc|title=The Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act, 1996|publisher=Indian Railways|format=.doc|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref>


===2013 Delhi Assembly elections===
===2013 Delhi Assembly elections===
On 23 October 2013, Vardhan was named the [[Chief Minister of Delhi|Chief Minister]] candidate for Delhi Assembly elections by the BJP.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365842_1_delhi-bjp-delhi-unit-vijay-goel |title=BJP trusts Dr Harsh Vardhan as its chief ministerial candidate for Delhi |publisher=The Economic Times |date=23 October 2013 }}</ref> After the 2013 elections, BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 31 out of the 70 seats in the [[Fifth Legislative Assembly of Delhi]]. However, they fell short of an absolute majority so were unable to form the government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131213/main2.htm |title=BJP rejects offer to form govt |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211436/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131213/main2.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref>
On 23 October 2013, Vardhan was named the [[Chief Minister of Delhi|Chief Minister]] candidate for Delhi Assembly elections by the BJP.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365842_1_delhi-bjp-delhi-unit-vijay-goel |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131026052917/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365842_1_delhi-bjp-delhi-unit-vijay-goel |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2013 |title=BJP trusts Dr Harsh Vardhan as its chief ministerial candidate for Delhi |work=The Economic Times |date=23 October 2013 }}</ref> After the 2013 elections, BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 31 out of the 70 seats in the [[Fifth Legislative Assembly of Delhi]]. However, they fell short of an absolute majority so were unable to form the government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131213/main2.htm |title=BJP rejects offer to form govt |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211436/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131213/main2.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref>


===2014 Lok Sabha election===
===2014 Lok Sabha election===
Vardhan contested the Chandni Chowk seat in Delhi where he defeated the incumbent Union Minister of Law and Justice, [[Kapil Sibal]] of the Indian National Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU051.htm?ac=1|title=Constituencywise-All Candidates|publisher=Election Commission of India}}</ref> He was also appointed in the [[First Modi ministry|first Narendra Modi government]] as Minister of Health and Family Welfare on 26 May 2014.<ref name=HRD>{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/modis-complete-cabinet-jaitley-gets-finance-smriti-human-resources-1544129.html|title=Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources|work=Firstpost|date=27 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Live|first=India|title=PM Modi announces list of cabinet ministers with portfolios|url=http://indialive.today/pm-modi-announces-list-of-cabinet-ministers-with-portfolios/|newspaper=IndiaLive.today|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> In May 2017, he was given the additional charge of [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] following the death of Minister [[Anil Madhav Dave]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of Environment Ministry|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/harsh-vardhan-gets-additional-charge-of-environment-ministry/article9706966.ece|access-date=18 May 2017|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|date=18 May 2017}}</ref>
Vardhan contested the Chandni Chowk seat in Delhi where he defeated the incumbent Union Minister of Law and Justice, [[Kapil Sibal]] of the Indian National Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU051.htm?ac=1|title=Constituencywise-All Candidates|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511071144/http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseU051.htm?ac=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also appointed in the [[First Modi ministry|first Narendra Modi government]] as Minister of Health and Family Welfare on 26 May 2014.<ref name=HRD>{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/modis-complete-cabinet-jaitley-gets-finance-smriti-human-resources-1544129.html|title=Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources|publisher=Firstpost|date=27 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Live|first=India|title=PM Modi announces list of cabinet ministers with portfolios|url=http://indialive.today/pm-modi-announces-list-of-cabinet-ministers-with-portfolios/|newspaper=IndiaLive.today|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> In May 2017, he was given the additional charge of [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] following the death of Minister [[Anil Madhav Dave]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of Environment Ministry|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/harsh-vardhan-gets-additional-charge-of-environment-ministry/article9706966.ece|access-date=18 May 2017|work=[[Business Line]]|location=Chennai|date=18 May 2017}}</ref>


===2019 Lok Sabha election===
===2019 Lok Sabha election===
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===As Union Minister===
===As Union Minister===
{{Missing information|seciton|Vardhan's role during the COVID-19 pandemic|date=June 2021}}[[File:Dr. Harsh Vardhan taking charge as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Vardhan taking charge as the Union [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Minister for Health and Family Welfare]] on June 3, 2019.]]
[[File:Dr. Harsh Vardhan taking charge as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpg|thumb|Vardhan taking charge as the Union [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Minister for Health and Family Welfare]] on 3 June 2019.]]
[[File:The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visiting the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in Delhi on April 04, 2020 (1).jpg|thumb|Dr. Vardhan visiting the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in [[New Delhi]] on April 04, 2020.]]
[[File:The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visiting the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in Delhi on April 04, 2020 (1).jpg|thumb|Dr. Vardhan visiting the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in [[New Delhi]] on 4 April 2020.]]
[[File:The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, Shahdara to review the preparedness of Dry Run of COVID-19 vaccine, in Delhi on January 02, 2021 (2).jpg|thumb|Dr. Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, [[Shahdara]], [[Delhi]], to review the preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in [[New Delhi]] on January 02, 2021.]]
[[File:The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, Shahdara to review the preparedness of Dry Run of COVID-19 vaccine, in Delhi on January 02, 2021 (2).jpg|thumb|Dr. Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, [[Shahdara district|Shahdara]], [[Delhi]], to review the preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in [[New Delhi]] on 2 January 2021.]]
On 30 May 2019, Vardhan was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's [[Second Modi ministry|second term government]]. He is put in charge of the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences.<ref>{{cite web|title= ENT Surgeon, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Appointed Union Health Minister in Modi Government 2.0 | url=https://medicaldialogues.in/ent-surgeon-dr-harsh-vardhan-appointed-union-health-minister-in-modi-government-2-0/ | publisher=Medical Dialogues | date=31 May 2019 | access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>
In the [[First Modi ministry]], Vardhan briefly led the [[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]] in 2014 before being reassigned to the [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Ministry of Science and Technology]] and [[Ministry of Earth Sciences]] from 2014 to 2021. During his first stint as Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Vardhan was criticized for his indifference to the [[Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation|Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's]] failure to regulate quality control issues among Indian manufacturers of [[Generic drug|generic drugs]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eban |first=Katherine |title=Bottle of Lies |date=2019 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=9780062338785 |pages=377-379}}</ref>


Vardhan has been prominent in this role during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]. In February 2021, he endorsed an unproven "herbal cure" for COVID-19 devised by a company run by yoga guru [[Ramdev]], prompting criticism from health experts.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lateef|first=Samaan|date=2021-02-22|title=Mumbai state fears Covid-19 third wave as health minister criticised for approving herbal 'cure'|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/22/mumbai-state-fears-covid-19-third-wave-health-minister-accused/|access-date=2021-06-03|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In early March 2021, he declared the country was in the "endgame" of the pandemic, shortly before infections across the country rose dramatically in its second wave in April.<ref name="BBC News"/>
From 2017 to 2019, Vardhan led the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] and from 2019 to 2021, he returned to leading the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the [[Second Modi ministry]].<ref>{{cite web|title= ENT Surgeon, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Appointed Union Health Minister in Modi Government 2.0 | url=https://medicaldialogues.in/ent-surgeon-dr-harsh-vardhan-appointed-union-health-minister-in-modi-government-2-0/ | publisher=Medical Dialogues | date=31 May 2019 | access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><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><ref>{{cite web | url=https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/union-health-minister-dr-harsh-vardhan-resigns-new-minister-to-take-over-79478 | title=Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan resigns, new minister to take over | publisher=[[Medical Dialogues]] | date=7 July 2021 | access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]], Vardhan endorsed an untested herbal cure devised by yoga guru [[Ramdev]], prompting criticism from health experts.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lateef|first=Samaan|date=2021-02-22|title=Mumbai state fears Covid-19 third wave as health minister criticised for approving herbal 'cure'|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/22/mumbai-state-fears-covid-19-third-wave-health-minister-accused/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/22/mumbai-state-fears-covid-19-third-wave-health-minister-accused/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-03|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In early March 2021, he erroneously declared that the country was in the "endgame" of the pandemic, shortly before infections across the country rose dramatically in an April second wave.<ref name="BBC News"/> Vardhan declared that children of health care workers who died during COVID-19 pandemic should be reserved seats in MBBS and BDS colleges.<ref>{{cite news|title=Children of COVID Warriors Who Died to Get MBBS & BDS Reservation |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/education/children-of-covid-warriors-to-get-reservation-in-mbbs-bds-courses |access-date=19 November 2020|publisher=The Quint|date=19 November 2020}}</ref>


Vardhan as a cabinet minister in [[Narendra Modi]] government, declared reservation for academic calendar 2020-2021 in MBBS and BDS colleges for the children of [[COVID-19]] workers who died during COVID-19 pandemic in India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Children of COVID Warriors Who Died to Get MBBS & BDS Reservation |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/education/children-of-covid-warriors-to-get-reservation-in-mbbs-bds-courses |access-date=19 November 2020|publisher=The Quint|date=19 November 2020}}</ref>{{Clarify|date=June 2021}}
== Controversies==
At the 105th Indian Science Congress in March 2018, after the death of legendary British scientist [[Stephen Hawking]], Vardhan claimed that Hawking had said that the [[Vedas]] postulated a theory superior to [[Albert Einstein]]'s [[theory of relativity]], despite the fact that there is no record of Hawking having made the statement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/drharshvardhan/status/974582285407318017|title=#ISC2018 –Each and every custom and ritual of Hinduism is steeped in science; every modern Indian achievement is a continuation of our ancient scientific achievement. Even Stephen Hawking said, our Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's law E=MC2. @moefcc @IndiaDSTpic.twitter.com/QP9PbLElCd|last=Vardhan|first=Dr Harsh|date=<!--2:44 AM – -->16 March 2018|website=@drharshvardhan|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/stephen-hawking-said-vedic-theory-superior-to-einsteins-science-minister-claims/article23272193.ece|title=Stephen Hawking said Vedas had a 'theory' superior to Einstein's thesis, says Harsh Vardan|last=Koshy|first=Jacob|date=2018-03-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/science-minister-harsh-vardhan-may-have-been-a-victim-of-fake-social-media-info-1191469-2018-03-17|title=Vedas superior to Einstein's Theory of Relativity? Union Minister Harsh Vardhan falls for fake information on social media|website=India Today|date=17 March 2018|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref>


As a part of Cabinet Reshuffle on 7 July 2021, Dr Harshvardhan resigned from his post of Union Health Minister after holding its two years of office.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/union-health-minister-dr-harsh-vardhan-resigns-new-minister-to-take-over-79478 | title=Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan resigns, new minister to take over | publisher=[[Medical Dialogues]] | date=7 July 2021 | access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>
In 2019, after the [[Health Effects Institute]] released a scientific report estimating 1.2 million annual deaths in India due to air pollution, Vardhan denied the results, arguing that this report was intended to create panic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/may/06/minister-harsh-vardhan-disagrees-with-reports-on-pollution-deaths-claims-it-was-released-to-create-panic-1973216.html|title=Minister Harsh Vardhan disagrees with reports on pollution deaths, claims it was released to create panic|website=The New Indian Express|date=6 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref> In 2021, [[Indian Medical Association]] (IMA), the largest association of doctors in India, issued a statement which it objected to Vardhan who was endorsing Coronil, a product of [[Patanjali Ayurved]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ima-shocked-over-patanjalis-claim-on-coronil-demands-explanation-from-harsh-vardhan/article33902720.ece|title=IMA 'shocked' over Patanjali's claim on Coronil; demands explanation from Harsh Vardhan|newspaper=The Hindu|date=22 February 2021}}</ref> IMA questioned the ethics of a national health minister releasing a fabricated and unscientific product.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ima-slams-harsh-vardhan-for-coronil-backing/articleshow/81163292.cms|title=IMA slams Harsh Vardhan for Coronil 'backing'|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=23 February 2021 }}</ref>


== Controversies==
In 2023, a legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made Islamophobic remarks and used communal slurs against a Muslim MP inside the parliament. During a Thursday night debate on 22 September 2023 on the success of India's historic moon mission, BJP MP [[Ramesh Bidhuri]] called [[Kunwar Danish Ali]] of the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) a "terrorist" and a "pimp" among other anti-Islamic slurs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Faisal |first1=Meer |title=Muslim MP called 'terrorist, pimp' by BJP member inside India's parliament |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/22/muslim-mp-called-terrorist-pimp-by-bjp-member-inside-indian-parliament |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Dr Harsh Vardhan came under attack after a video footage of the incident went viral on social media. In the video clip, he was seen sitting behind [[Ramesh Bidhuri]] and appeared to be laughing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harsh Vardhan, Seen Grinning When BJP MP Was Abusing in Parliament, Clarifies |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/harsh-vardhan-seen-grinning-when-bjp-mp-ramesh-bidhuri-was-abusing-in-parliament-clarifies-4413854 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=India |first1=Press Trust of |title=My name dragged to tarnish my image: Harsh Vardhan on Bidhuri remarks row |url=https://www.siasat.com/my-name-dragged-to-tarnish-my-image-harsh-vardhan-on-bidhuri-remarks-row-2703057/ |website=The Siasat Daily |date=22 September 2023}}</ref>
At the 105th Indian Science Congress in March 2018, after the death of legendary British scientist [[Stephen Hawking]], Vardhan claimed that Hawking had said that the [[Vedas]] postulated a theory superior to [[Albert Einstein]]'s [[theory of relativity]], despite the fact that there is no record of Hawking having made the statement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/drharshvardhan/status/974582285407318017|title=#ISC2018 –Each and every custom and ritual of Hinduism is steeped in science; every modern Indian achievement is a continuation of our ancient scientific achievement. Even Stephen Hawking said, our Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's law E=MC2. @moefcc @IndiaDSTpic.twitter.com/QP9PbLElCd|last=Vardhan|first=Dr Harsh|date=<!--2:44 AM - -->16 March 2018|website=@drharshvardhan|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/stephen-hawking-said-vedic-theory-superior-to-einsteins-science-minister-claims/article23272193.ece|title=Stephen Hawking said Vedas had a 'theory' superior to Einstein's thesis, says Harsh Vardan|last=Koshy|first=Jacob|date=2018-03-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-03-17|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/science-minister-harsh-vardhan-may-have-been-a-victim-of-fake-social-media-info-1191469-2018-03-17|title=Vedas superior to Einstein's Theory of Relativity? Union Minister Harsh Vardhan falls for fake information on social media|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref>
 
In 2019, after the [[Health Effects Institute]] released a scientific report estimating 1.2 million annual deaths in India due to air pollution, Vardhan denied the results, arguing that this report was intended to create panic<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/may/06/minister-harsh-vardhan-disagrees-with-reports-on-pollution-deaths-claims-it-was-released-to-create-panic-1973216.html|title=Minister Harsh Vardhan disagrees with reports on pollution deaths, claims it was released to create panic|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref> In 2021, [[Indian Medical Association]] (IMA), the largest association of doctors in India, issued a statement which it objected to Vardhan who was  endorsing Coronil, a product of [[Patanjali Ayurved]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ima-shocked-over-patanjalis-claim-on-coronil-demands-explanation-from-harsh-vardhan/article33902720.ece|title=IMA 'shocked' over Patanjali's claim on Coronil; demands explanation from Harsh Vardhan|newspaper=The Hindu|date=22 February 2021}}</ref> IMA questioned the ethics of a health minister of the country to release such falsely fabricated unscientific product to the people of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ima-slams-harsh-vardhan-for-coronil-backing/articleshow/81163292.cms|title=IMA slams Harsh Vardhan for Coronil 'backing'}}</ref>


==Awards and honours==
==Awards and honours==
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* Polio Eradication Champion Award by the [[Rotary International]] in 2001.
* Polio Eradication Champion Award by the [[Rotary International]] in 2001.
* "Doctor of the last Decade" (Swasthya Ratna) by Indian Medical Association's New Delhi branch in 2002.
* "Doctor of the last Decade" (Swasthya Ratna) by Indian Medical Association's New Delhi branch in 2002.
* [[Director-General of the World Health Organization|Director-General]]'s Special Award, by [[World Health Organization|WHO]] in 2021, for bringing legislation to ban [[e-cigarettes]] and [[Heated tobacco product| Heated tobacco products]], on the occasion of [[World No Tobacco Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/who-honours-harsh-vardhan-on-world-no-tobacco-day-for-banning-e-cigarettes-1809113-2021-05-31|title = WHO honours Harsh Vardhan on World No Tobacco Day for banning e-cigarettes}}</ref>
* [[Director-General of the World Health Organization|Director-General]]'s Special [[World No Tobacco Day Award]], by [[World Health Organization|WHO]] in 2021, for bringing legislation to ban [[e-cigarettes]] and [[Heated tobacco product]]s, on the occasion of [[World No Tobacco Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/who-honours-harsh-vardhan-on-world-no-tobacco-day-for-banning-e-cigarettes-1809113-2021-05-31|title = WHO honours Harsh Vardhan on World No Tobacco Day for banning e-cigarettes| date=31 May 2021 }}</ref>


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


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{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]]|years=9 November 2014 – Present}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]]|years=9 November 2014 – 7 July 2021}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Earth Sciences|Minister of Earth Sciences]]|years=9 November 2014 – Present}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Earth Sciences|Minister of Earth Sciences]]|years=9 November 2014 – 7 July 2021}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Jitendra Singh (BJP politician)|Jitendra Singh]]<br />Minister of State<br />(Independent Charge)}}
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* {{Official website|http://www.drharshvardhan.com/}}
* {{Official website|http://www.drharshvardhan.com/}}


{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}{{17th Lok Sabha members from Union territories}}{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}{{16th Lok Sabha members from Union territories}}{{Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (India)}}
{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}
{{17th Lok Sabha members from Union territories}}
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[[Category:1954 births]]
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[[Category:Indian surgeons]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian surgeons]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Delhi]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Delhi]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Delhi]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Delhi]]
[[Category:Health ministers of India]]
[[Category:Health ministers of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 2013–2015]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Medical doctors from Delhi]]
[[Category:Medical doctors from Delhi]]
[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election]]
[[Category:National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 1993–1998]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 1998–2003]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 2003–2008]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:Delhi MLAs 2013–2015]]
[[Category:India MPs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:Zakir Husain Delhi College alumni]]
[[Category:Science ministers of India]]
[[Category:Politicians from New Delhi]]

Latest revision as of 05:10, 15 January 2026


For others, see Harsh Vardhan (disambiguation).

Harsh Vardhan
Vardhan at the inauguration of India-Canada Technology Summit, in New Delhi, 2017
Chairman of the WHO Executive Board
In office
22 May 2020 (2020-05-22) – 2 June 2021 (2021-06-02)
Preceded byHiroki Nakatani
Succeeded byPatrick Amoth
Minister of Health and Family Welfare
In office
30 May 2019 (2019-05-30) – 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byJagat Prakash Nadda
Succeeded byMansukh L. Mandaviya
In office
26 May 2014 (2014-05-26) – 9 November 2014 (2014-11-09)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byGhulam Nabi Azad
Succeeded byJagat Prakash Nadda
Minister of Science and Technology
In office
9 November 2014 (2014-11-09) – 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byJitendra Singh
Succeeded byJitendra Singh
Minister of Earth Sciences
In office
9 November 2014 (2014-11-09) – 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byJitendra Singh
Succeeded byJitendra Singh
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2014 (2014-05-16) – 4 June 2024 (2024-06-04)
Preceded byKapil Sibal
Succeeded byPraveen Khandelwal
ConstituencyChandni Chowk
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
In office
27 May 2017 (2017-05-27) – 30 May 2019 (2019-05-30)
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byAnil Madhav Dave
Succeeded byPrakash Javadekar
Member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly
In office
2 December 1993 – 16 May 2014 (2014-05-16)
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byS. K. Bagga
ConstituencyKrishna Nagar
Personal details
Born
Harshvardhan Goel[1]

(1954-12-13) 13 December 1954 (age 71)
Delhi, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)Nutan Goel
Children3
ResidenceNew Delhi
Alma materZakir Husain College, Delhi
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College (MBBS) and (MS)
Profession

Harsh Vardhan (born Harshvardhan Goel,[1] 13 December 1954) is an Indian politician and otorhinolaryngologist. He had served as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences in the BJP-led NDA government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 30 May 2019 to 7 July 2021.[citation needed] He represents Chandni Chowk in Delhi as a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha. He was elected to the office of chairperson of the executive board of the World Health Organization from 22 May 2020.[2] Vardhan has been prominent in the Indian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] He later resigned from his cabinet post ahead of the cabinet reshuffle in July 2021.[citation needed]

He retired from active politics on 4 March 2024 after allegedly being denied a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.[4]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Harsh Vardhan was born in Delhi to Om Prakash Goel and Sneh Lata Goel.[5] Vardhan finished his schooling from Happy School, Daryaganj, in 1971. He attended Zakir Husain Delhi College of the University of Delhi and Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College of the Kanpur University, where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. He earned his Master of Surgery in Otorhinolaryngology from the same college in 1983.[citation needed] He has been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since childhood.[6]

Political career[edit | edit source]

In 1993, Vardhan was elected as a member of the Delhi Assembly representing Krishna Nagar.[7] He was appointed as the State Minister of Health and Minister of Law for Delhi.[8] He later became the state Minister of Education in 1996.[9] He has been re-elected from the same constituency in the 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013 elections.[10][11][12][13]

Minister of Health and Family Affairs of Delhi[edit | edit source]

Vardhan as the State Minister of Health in 1994 oversaw the implementation of the pilot project of the Pulse Polio Programme which involved the mass immunisation of 1 million children up to the age of 3 in Delhi.[14] In 1995, this programme was launched nationwide leading to 88 million children being immunised.[15] On 28 March 2014, India was declared polio-free by the WHO, as there had been no reported cases for three years.[16]

In 1997, the Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act was passed in the Delhi assembly which was one of the first anti-tobacco laws implemented by any state government.[17] The act applied across the NCT of Delhi. It prohibited smoking in places of public work or use for example hospitals, restaurants, and educational institutions and in public service vehicles. It also prohibited the sale of smoking substances such as tobacco and beedis to anyone below the age of eighteen. Smoking products could not also be sold or stored within 100 metres of any educational institution. Under the provisions of the act, fines would be applied to anyone who contravened the law and they could potentially be ejected from places of public use by the police.[18]

2013 Delhi Assembly elections[edit | edit source]

On 23 October 2013, Vardhan was named the Chief Minister candidate for Delhi Assembly elections by the BJP.[19] After the 2013 elections, BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 31 out of the 70 seats in the Fifth Legislative Assembly of Delhi. However, they fell short of an absolute majority so were unable to form the government.[20]

2014 Lok Sabha election[edit | edit source]

Vardhan contested the Chandni Chowk seat in Delhi where he defeated the incumbent Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kapil Sibal of the Indian National Congress.[21] He was also appointed in the first Narendra Modi government as Minister of Health and Family Welfare on 26 May 2014.[22][23] In May 2017, he was given the additional charge of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change following the death of Minister Anil Madhav Dave.[24]

2019 Lok Sabha election[edit | edit source]

Vardhan again contested the Chandni Chowk seat in Delhi where he defeated Congress candidate Jai Parkash Aggarwal by a margin of 2,28,145 votes. While he received 52.94% votes, runner-up Aggarwal polled 29.67% votes.[25]

As Union Minister[edit | edit source]

Vardhan taking charge as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare on 3 June 2019.
Dr. Vardhan visiting the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in New Delhi on 4 April 2020.
Dr. Vardhan visiting the GTB Hospital, Shahdara, Delhi, to review the preparedness to overcome COVID-19, in New Delhi on 2 January 2021.

In the First Modi ministry, Vardhan briefly led the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2014 before being reassigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences from 2014 to 2021. During his first stint as Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Vardhan was criticized for his indifference to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's failure to regulate quality control issues among Indian manufacturers of generic drugs.[26]

From 2017 to 2019, Vardhan led the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and from 2019 to 2021, he returned to leading the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Second Modi ministry.[27][28][29] During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Vardhan endorsed an untested herbal cure devised by yoga guru Ramdev, prompting criticism from health experts.[30] In early March 2021, he erroneously declared that the country was in the "endgame" of the pandemic, shortly before infections across the country rose dramatically in an April second wave.[3] Vardhan declared that children of health care workers who died during COVID-19 pandemic should be reserved seats in MBBS and BDS colleges.[31]

Controversies[edit | edit source]

At the 105th Indian Science Congress in March 2018, after the death of legendary British scientist Stephen Hawking, Vardhan claimed that Hawking had said that the Vedas postulated a theory superior to Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, despite the fact that there is no record of Hawking having made the statement.[32][33][34]

In 2019, after the Health Effects Institute released a scientific report estimating 1.2 million annual deaths in India due to air pollution, Vardhan denied the results, arguing that this report was intended to create panic.[35] In 2021, Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest association of doctors in India, issued a statement which it objected to Vardhan who was endorsing Coronil, a product of Patanjali Ayurved.[36] IMA questioned the ethics of a national health minister releasing a fabricated and unscientific product.[37]

In 2023, a legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made Islamophobic remarks and used communal slurs against a Muslim MP inside the parliament. During a Thursday night debate on 22 September 2023 on the success of India's historic moon mission, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri called Kunwar Danish Ali of the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) a "terrorist" and a "pimp" among other anti-Islamic slurs.[38] Dr Harsh Vardhan came under attack after a video footage of the incident went viral on social media. In the video clip, he was seen sitting behind Ramesh Bidhuri and appeared to be laughing.[39][40]

Awards and honours[edit | edit source]

Vardhan has received the following awards and recognitions:[41]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Vardhan is married to Nutan, and they have two sons and one daughter.[6]

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • A Tale of Two Drops. New Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan. 2018. p. 218. ISBN 9788184305197.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "What's in a surname?".
  2. ↑ Shishir Gupta (19 May 2020). "Harsh Vardhan is India's nominee for lead role in WHO, takes over on Friday". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 May 2020. The WHO, a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health, is currently at the forefront of global efforts towards containing the novel coronavirus pandemic. Health minister Harsh Vardhan will have to work closely with Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
    —"Dr Harsh Vardhan set to become chairman of WHO Executive Board on May 22". It may be noted that Dr. Harsh Vardhan's taking over of the post in just a formality as it was decided last year that India's nominee would be elected to the executive board for a three-year term in May 2020. The post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups. Further, the post is not a full-time assignment and Dr. Harsh Vardhan will only chair the board's meetings.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Covid-19: How India failed to prevent a deadly second wave". BBC News. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  4. ↑ The Hindu (3 March 2024). "Denied ticket from Chandni Chowk, BJP MP Harsh Vardhan bows out of active politics". Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "List of Members – Dr. Harsh Vardhan". Delhiassembly.nic.in. Legislative Assembly of Delhi. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "About me – Profile". Drharshvardhan.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  7. ↑ 1993 Election Commission of India
  8. ↑ "Dr. Harsh Vardhan Biography". elections.in. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Harshvardhan is new Delhi BJP president". The Times of India. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  10. ↑ 1998 Election Commission of India
  11. ↑ 2003 Election Commission of India
  12. ↑ 2008 Election Commission of India
  13. ↑ "Assembly Elections December 2013 Results – NCT OF Delhi – KRISHNA NAGAR". Archived from the original on 2 January 2014.
  14. ↑ T Jacob-John; VM Vashishta (May 2013). "Eradicating poliomyelitis: India's journey from hyperendemic to polio-free status". Indian Journal of Medical Research. 137 (5): 881–94. PMC 3734678. PMID 23760372.
  15. ↑ "From 200,000 to zero: the journey to a polio free India" (PDF). UNICEF. 22 February 2012. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  16. ↑ "India and 10 other Asian countries declared polio free". The Guardian. 28 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Smoking fine may go up in Delhi". The Times of India. 11 January 2008.
  18. ↑ "The Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers Health Protection Act, 1996" (.doc). Indian Railways. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "BJP trusts Dr Harsh Vardhan as its chief ministerial candidate for Delhi". The Economic Times. 23 October 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ "BJP rejects offer to form govt". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "Constituencywise-All Candidates". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Modi's complete cabinet: Jaitley gets Finance, Smriti Human Resources". Firstpost. 27 May 2014.
  23. ↑ Live, India (26 May 2014). "PM Modi announces list of cabinet ministers with portfolios". IndiaLive.today.
  24. ↑ "Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of Environment Ministry". Business Line. Chennai. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Dr Harsh Vardhan: Two-time MP from crucial Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat". 30 May 2019.
  26. ↑ Eban, Katherine (2019). Bottle of Lies. HarperCollins. pp. 377–379. ISBN 9780062338785.
  27. ↑ "ENT Surgeon, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Appointed Union Health Minister in Modi Government 2.0". Medical Dialogues. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  28. ↑ "PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers", Live Mint, 31 May 2019
  29. ↑ "Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan resigns, new minister to take over". Medical Dialogues. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  30. ↑ Lateef, Samaan (22 February 2021). "Mumbai state fears Covid-19 third wave as health minister criticised for approving herbal 'cure'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  31. ↑ "Children of COVID Warriors Who Died to Get MBBS & BDS Reservation". The Quint. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  32. ↑ Vardhan, Dr Harsh (16 March 2018). "#ISC2018 –Each and every custom and ritual of Hinduism is steeped in science; every modern Indian achievement is a continuation of our ancient scientific achievement. Even Stephen Hawking said, our Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's law E=MC2. @moefcc @IndiaDSTpic.twitter.com/QP9PbLElCd". @drharshvardhan. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  33. ↑ Koshy, Jacob (16 March 2018). "Stephen Hawking said Vedas had a 'theory' superior to Einstein's thesis, says Harsh Vardan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  34. ↑ "Vedas superior to Einstein's Theory of Relativity? Union Minister Harsh Vardhan falls for fake information on social media". India Today. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  35. ↑ "Minister Harsh Vardhan disagrees with reports on pollution deaths, claims it was released to create panic". The New Indian Express. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  36. ↑ "IMA 'shocked' over Patanjali's claim on Coronil; demands explanation from Harsh Vardhan". The Hindu. 22 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "IMA slams Harsh Vardhan for Coronil 'backing'". The Times of India. 23 February 2021.
  38. ↑ Faisal, Meer. "Muslim MP called 'terrorist, pimp' by BJP member inside India's parliament". Al Jazeera.
  39. ↑ "Harsh Vardhan, Seen Grinning When BJP MP Was Abusing in Parliament, Clarifies". NDTV.
  40. ↑ India, Press Trust of (22 September 2023). "My name dragged to tarnish my image: Harsh Vardhan on Bidhuri remarks row". The Siasat Daily.
  41. ↑ "Biography of Dr Harsh Vardhan, BJP's CM Candidate for Delhi". Bihar Prabha. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  42. ↑ "WHO honours Harsh Vardhan on World No Tobacco Day for banning e-cigarettes". 31 May 2021.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by
Kapil Sibal 		Member of Parliament
for Chandni Chowk
2014 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Ghulam Nabi Azad 		Minister of Health and Family Welfare
26 May 2014 – 9 November 2014 		Succeeded by
Jagat Prakash Nadda
Preceded by
Jitendra Singh
Minister of State
(Independent Charge) 		Minister of Science and Technology
9 November 2014 – 7 July 2021 		Succeeded by
Jitendra Singh
Minister of State
(Independent Charge)
Preceded by
Jitendra Singh
Minister of State
(Independent Charge) 		Minister of Earth Sciences
9 November 2014 – 7 July 2021 		Succeeded by
Jitendra Singh
Minister of State
(Independent Charge)
Preceded by
Anil Madhav Dave 		Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
18 May 2017 – 29 May 2019 		Succeeded by
Prakash Javadekar
Preceded by
Jagat Prakash Nadda 		Minister of Health and Family Welfare
30 May 2019 – 7 July 2021 		Succeeded by
Mansukh L. Mandaviya

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