Rajendra Pal Gautam: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix       =  
| honorific-prefix   =  
| name                   = Rajendra Pal Gautam
| name               = Rajendra Pal Gautam
| honorific-suffix       =
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| image               = Rajendra Pal Gautam.jpg
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|4|26|df=y}}
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| birth_place = [[Ghonda]], Delhi, India
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1968|4|26|df=y}}
| office = [[Third Kejriwal ministry|Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of Delhi]]
| birth_place         = [[Delhi]], [[India]]
| lieutenant_governor = [[Najeeb Jung]]<br/>[[Anil Baijal]]
| office             = [[All India Congress Committee|Chairman of SC Department <br /> All India Congress Committee]]
| term_start = 14 February 2015
| term_start          = 4 June 2025
| 2blankname = Minister for
| term_end            =
| 2namedata =  
| 1blankname          = [[All India Congress Committee|AICC]] President
| 1namedata          = [[Mallikarjun Kharge]]
| office2            = [[Third Kejriwal ministry|Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of Delhi]]
| lieutenant_governor2 = [[Najeeb Jung]]<br/>[[Anil Baijal]]<br/>[[Vinai Kumar Saxena]]
| term_start2        = 14 February 2015
| term_end2          = 19 October 2022
| subterm2            = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice2          = [[Second Kejriwal ministry|Kejriwal ministry - II]]<br/>[[Third Kejriwal ministry|Kejriwal ministry - III]]
| 2blankname2          = Ministry and Departments
| 2namedata2          = {{Collapsible list|
* Social Welfare
* SC & ST
* Cooperative
* Gurudwara Elections
* Women & Child Development
}}
| predecessor2        = ''[[President's rule]]''
| successor2          = [[Raaj Kumar Anand]]
| 1blankname2        = Chief Minister
| 1namedata2          = [[Arvind Kejriwal]]
| office3            = [[Delhi Legislative Assembly|Member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency3      = [[Seemapuri (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Seemapuri]]
| assembly3          =
| term_start3        = 10 February 2015
| term_end3          = 26 September 2024
| predecessor3        = [[Dharmender Singh]]
| successor3          = [[Veer Singh Dhingan]]
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| birthname          =
| parents            = Dalip Singh (father)
| nationality        = {{flag|India}}n
| party              = [[Indian National Congress]] (2024–present)
| otherparty          = [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (2014–2024)
| spouse              = Sushila Devi
| children            = 2
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| residence          = [[New Delhi]]
| alma_mater          = [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]]
| occupation          = [[politician]] and social activis
| profession          = [[Advocate]]
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'''Rajendra Pal Gautam ''' is an Indian  politician, Dalit activist, social worker and a former Minister for Water, Tourist, Culture, Arts & Languages and Gurudwara Elections in the [[Government of Delhi]]. He is a former member of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] and represented the [[Seemapuri Assembly constituency]] in the [[Delhi Legislative Assembly]].<ref name=" Election result ">{{cite news|title=Election result|publisher=Election commission of India|accessdate=10 February 2015|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/StatewiseU05.htm|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227005206/http://eciresults.nic.in/StatewiseU05.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Delhi Government Portal">{{cite web|title=Cabinet Ministers|url=http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/DoIT/delhi+govt/delhi+home/departments/executives/ministers|website=delhi.gov.in|accessdate=25 June 2017}}</ref>
 
==Early life and education==
Gautam was born in [[Delhi]]. He holds an [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] degree from [[Delhi University]] and is an [[Advocate#India|advocate]] by profession.<ref name=" Brief profile ">{{cite news|title=Brief profile|publisher=myneta.info|accessdate=12 February 2015|url=http://myneta.info/delhi2015/candidate.php?candidate_id=65}}</ref> He is an [[B. R. Ambedkar|Ambedkarite]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] activist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/misinformation-being-spread-not-pulling-down-ambedkar-statue-aap/1561201|title = Misinformation being spread, not pulling down Ambedkar statue: AAP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-time-to-remember-ambedkar-women-legal-rights-indian-constitution-6152797/|title = B R Ambedkar was instrumental in shaping legal rights of women in India|date = 6 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/in-the-name-of-god-martyrs-of-freedom-struggle-kejriwals-ministers-take-oath-in-different-ways-2503273.html|title=In the Name of God & Martyrs of Freedom Struggle: Kejriwal's Ministers Take Oath in different Ways|date=16 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/committed-to-values-of-ambedkar-will-not-pull-down-his-statue-aap-minister20190624181828|title=Committed to values of Ambedkar, will not pull down his statue: AAP minister|access-date=17 December 2020|archive-date=2 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502110420/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/committed-to-values-of-ambedkar-will-not-pull-down-his-statue-aap-minister20190624181828/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/six-ministers-take-oath-along-with-kejriwal/articleshow/74159818.cms|title = Kejriwal's ministers go by their choice, take oath in different ways|newspaper = The Economic Times}}</ref>
 
==Political career==
In 2014, he became a member of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]].<ref name="Who is" /> Gautam's term as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in the [[Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi]] was his first. He defeated Karamvir of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] by a margin of 48,821 votes in the [[2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|2015 elections]].<ref name=" Comprehensive Election results ">{{cite news|title=Comprehensive Election results|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] website|accessdate=12 February 2015|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/ElectionStatistics.aspx}}</ref>  He was re-elected in the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]].
 
=== Cabinet Minister, Delhi===
He was a cabinet minister in the [[Third Kejriwal ministry]] since 14 February 2015 till 8 October 2022 and held the charge of below listed departments of the Delhi Government.
* Social welfare
* Social welfare
* SC & ST
* SC & ST
Line 21: Line 83:
* Gurudwara Elections
* Gurudwara Elections
* Women & Child
* Women & Child
| 1blankname = Chief Minister
| 1namedata = [[Arvind Kejriwal]]
|office2 = [[Delhi Legislative Assembly|Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly]]
|constituency2 = [[Seemapuri (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Seemapuri]]
|assembly2    =
| term_start2              = Feb 2015
| term_end2                =
| predecessor2            = [[Dharmender Singh]]
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| parents                = Dalip Singh (father)
| citizenship            = Indian
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| party                  = [[Aam Aadmi Party]]
| otherparty              =
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| partner                = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->
| relations              =
| children                =
| residence              = [[New Delhi]]
| alma_mater              = [[Delhi University]]
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| profession              = [[Advocate#India|Advocate]] & [[Politician]]
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''' Rajendra Pal Gautam ''' is an Indian politician and the Minister for Water, Tourist, Culture, Arts & Languages and Gurudwara Elections in the [[Government of Delhi]]. He is a member of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] and represents [[Seemapuri (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Seemapuri assembly constituency]] in the [[Delhi Legislative Assembly]].<ref name=" Election result ">{{cite news|title= Election result |publisher=Election commission of India|accessdate=10 February 2015|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/StatewiseU05.htm}}</ref><ref name="Delhi Government Portal">{{cite web|title=Cabinet Ministers|url=http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/DoIT/delhi+govt/delhi+home/departments/executives/ministers|website=delhi.gov.in|accessdate=25 June 2017}}</ref><br>
==== Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Pratiba Vikas Yojana ====
As minister, Gautam held the charge of social welfare department in the [[Second Kejriwal ministry]]. Under his charge Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Pratiba Vikas Yojana was started. ''[[Indian Express]]'' noted it as one of Arvind Kejriwal government's most ambitious programmes. In this program, free coaching is provided to children from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to prepare them for IIT JEE, NEET and other competitive exams. When the program started about 4,900 students enrolled for the free coaching classes. in 2022, around 15,000 are enrolled in various courses under this scheme.<ref name="Who is" />
 
===Controversy===
In  May 2020, he was criticised by the Indian Army for sharing a video curated and circulated by enemy agents.<ref name="aninews tweet">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/army-strongly-condemns-tweeting-of-curated-video20200511222856/|title = Army 'strongly condemns' tweeting of 'curated' video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AdvRajendraPal/status/1258698366201937920?s=19|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200511090315/https://twitter.com/AdvRajendraPal/status/1258698366201937920?s=19|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-05-11|title=Rajendra Pal Gautam on Twitter: "एक तरफ राष्ट्रवाद और सैनिक सम्मान दू…}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://indiandefencenews.info/delhi-minister-shares-pakistani-propaganda-video-against-indian-army/|title = Delhi Minister Shares Pakistani Propaganda Video Against Indian Army|date = 11 May 2020|access-date = 11 May 2020|archive-date = 2 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211202003648/https://indiandefencenews.info/delhi-minister-shares-pakistani-propaganda-video-against-indian-army/|url-status = dead}}</ref> He later took the video down.<ref name="aninews tweet"/><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1259827838317817866|user=AdvRajendraPal|title=इस ट्वीट को डिलीट किया जा चुका है, इसी निवेदन के साथ की ऐसी किसी भी घटना के सामने आने पर सरकार और संबंधित लोग तुरंत…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
 
==Social activism ==
He taught about 450 children from poor families and worked on reducing addiction among the youth. He worked for upliftment and rights of Dalits. He was awarded the Samata Sainik Dal's Dr Ambedkar Award in 2017.<ref name="Who is" />


He operated a [[Non-governmental organization]] (NGO) called Partivartan and as of 2022 he runs the organisation, 'Mission Jai Bhim'.<ref name="Who is" /> Gautam is the founder of the organisation, Mission Jai Bhim.<ref name="Pioneer" />


About his life<br>
Rajendra Pal Gautam quit the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) and stepped down as the legislator of Seemapuri on 6 September 2024 and joined [[Indian National Congress]] in the presence of Congress General Secretary [[K. C. Venugopal|K.C Venugopal]] at AICC HQ in New Delhi.<ref name="Prominent Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam joins Congress">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Prominent Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam joins Congress |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/former-delhi-aap-minister-rajendra-pal-gautam-joins-congress/article68612850.ece |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |date=6 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228163128/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/former-delhi-aap-minister-rajendra-pal-gautam-joins-congress/article68612850.ece |archive-date=28 February 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns, joins Congress: ‘Will intensify struggle for social justice of Bahujan Samaj’">{{cite news |title=AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns, joins Congress: 'Will intensify struggle for social justice of Bahujan Samaj' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aap-mla-rajendra-pal-gautam-joins-congress-9553565/ |access-date=28 February 2025 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=6 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228163643/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/aap-mla-rajendra-pal-gautam-joins-congress-9553565/ |archive-date=28 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Rajendra Pal Gautam was born in Ghonda area of north-eastern district of Delhi. Along with taking a law degree from the University of Delhi, he did the job of providing free education to about 450 children of poor families and reducing addiction among the youth.


In 1987, fighting for the rights of Dalits and Backwards in the whole country became a soldier of Samata Sainik Dal established by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. In 2001, the Samata Sainik Dal was given the Dr. Ambedkar Ratna Award by the Delhi Government.
== Resigned from the post of cabinet minister ==


In view of the deep grip and belligerent tendencies in society, in 2002, the responsibility of the National General Secretary of the party was entrusted, which was executed for eight years. Gautam ji done for Dalits & nbsp; Due to conflict, His Excellency Mr. President recently conferred the Samata Sainik Dal Dr. Ambedkar Ratna Award in 2017 & nbsp; .
On 5 October 2022, [[Buddhist Society of India]] and Mission Jai Bhim jointly organized an event<ref name="Interview- Aaj Tak">{{cite news |title=विवादित बयान के बाद राजेंद्र पाल गौतम का इस्तीफा, आजतक को बताई वजह |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/delhi/video/delhi-politics-rajendra-pal-gautam-resigns-after-controversial-statement-exclusive-1552765-2022-10-09 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=आज तक |date=9 October 2022 |language=hi}}</ref> at Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan Rani Jhansi Road. Gautam attended the event and later said that in the event "more than 10,000 people pledged to join Buddhism and work for making India free from casteism and untouchability."<ref name="Pioneer">{{cite news  |title=Gautam lands in conversion controversy |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/gautam-lands-in-conversion-controversy.html |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=The Pioneer |date=8 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> During the event, while Gautam was on stage, the attendees repeated [[Twenty-two vows of Ambedkar|Twenty-two vows that B. R. Ambedkar]] had administered to his followers. Among other vows it included a vow that they would not pray to Hindu gods and goddesses.<ref name="Who is">{{cite news |title=Who is Rajendra Pal Gautam, AAP minister in eye of storm? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/who-is-rajendra-pal-gautam-aap-minister-in-eye-of-storm-8196389/ |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=7 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The 22-point pledge was first made in 1956 by Dr [[B. R. Ambedkar]] when he renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. Since then such events have been organised regularly, where people who are mainly from the oppressed castes, recite the 22 vows and embrace Buddhism.<ref name="Ambedkar's 22 vows">{{cite news |title=Ambedkar's 22 vows: Why Babasaheb made the pledge at the centre of BJP-AAP row |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/ambedkars-22-vows-why-centre-of-bjp-aap-row-8197971/ |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=8 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi News Live Updates: Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns as Delhi Cabinet Minister |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-news-live-updates-rain-weather-8198259/ |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=9 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


Not only this, the Samata Sainik Dal had a special contribution in declaring the 26-Alipur road as a national monument. & Nbsp; Impressed by the ideology of Arvind ji in 2014, the Aam Aadmi Party got active in the party and was elected MLA from Limbari Assembly in 2015. Currently, as Cabinet Minister in the Government of Delhi, the Social Welfare Ministry, the Scheduled Caste / Tribal Ministry, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and the Gurdwara Elections are handling the charge.
''[[Indian Express]]'' reported that 66 years after the twenty-two vows of Ambedkar were first made, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) leaders chose to suddenly take offence to the vows.  It was reported that there were no derogatory words for Hindu gods and goddesses in the pledge, but it simply asserts that the speaker shall not worship them. The BJP leaders criticised Gautam for his speech and made legal complaints against him.<ref name="Ambedkar's 22 vows" /> BJP attacked AAP, AAP president [[Arvind Kejriwal]] and Gautam during the campaign for [[2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election]].<ref name="failing to protect" />


==Early life and education==
Gautam responded saying that BJP was spreading rumours about him and said, "If I believe in Buddhism, what is wrong with that? If the BJP has to complain, they can. The Constitution of India gives us the freedom to follow any religion. The BJP is losing ground and it is afraid of the Aam Aadmi Party. They can only lodge fake cases against us". He said, "I am a very religious person. I personally respect all the gods and goddesses and can never even dream of insulting the deities by my actions or words. I did not say any word towards anyone's faith, I respect everyone's faith. In my speech, I spoke on education, health, employment, inflation and social equality. But then BJP people are spreading false rumors about me. I am deeply hurt by this act of BJP people and I apologize with folded hands to all those people who have been hurt in any way due to this propaganda of BJP".<ref>{{cite news |title=I respect all gods, goddesses: Gautam |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/i-respect-all-gods--goddesses--gautam.html |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=The Pioneer |language=en|date=8 October 2022}}</ref>
Gautam was born in [[Delhi]]. He holds an [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] degree from [[Delhi University]] and is an [[Advocate#India|advocate]] by profession.<ref name=" Brief profile ">{{cite news|title=Brief profile|publisher=myneta.info|accessdate=12 February 2015|url=http://myneta.info/delhi2015/candidate.php?candidate_id=65}}</ref> He is an [[B. R. Ambedkar|Ambedkarite]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] activist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/misinformation-being-spread-not-pulling-down-ambedkar-statue-aap/1561201|title = Misinformation being spread, not pulling down Ambedkar statue: AAP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-time-to-remember-ambedkar-women-legal-rights-indian-constitution-6152797/|title = B R Ambedkar was instrumental in shaping legal rights of women in India|date = 6 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/in-the-name-of-god-martyrs-of-freedom-struggle-kejriwals-ministers-take-oath-in-different-ways-2503273.html|title=In the Name of God & Martyrs of Freedom Struggle: Kejriwal's Ministers Take Oath in different Ways|date=16 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/committed-to-values-of-ambedkar-will-not-pull-down-his-statue-aap-minister20190624181828|title=Committed to values of Ambedkar, will not pull down his statue: AAP minister}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/six-ministers-take-oath-along-with-kejriwal/articleshow/74159818.cms|title = Kejriwal's ministers go by their choice, take oath in different ways|newspaper = The Economic Times}}</ref>


==Political career==
On 9 October 2022, he resigned from the post of cabinet minister.<ref name="Resign">{{cite news |title=Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns after row over oath at Buddhism event |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-minister-rajendra-pal-gautam-resigns-after-row-over-oath-at-buddhism-event-101665316258624.html |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=9 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> AAP has not officially responded to the event. He said in his resignation letter that he had noticed that the BJP had been targeting Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP for Gautam's participation in the event. He said that those attacks had saddened him. He said, "I will continue to work for the party to strengthen India and will follow the teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar all my life. The BJP has a problem with me following the teaching of Babasaheb Ambedkar and is using this to play dirty politics… I do not wish that due to me my leader Mr. Kejriwal and my party are harmed in anyway."<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns after controversy over religious conversion event |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-minister-rajendra-pal-gautam-resigns-after-controversy-over-religious-conversion-event/article65988860.ece |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=9 October 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="Resigns NDTV">{{cite news |title=Delhi AAP Minister Resigns After Row Over Presence At Conversion Event |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-aap-minister-resigns-after-protests-by-bjp-over-his-presence-at-conversion-event-3415885 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=10 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rajendra Pal Gautam interview: 'Spoke to Deputy CM, told him — don't want allegations levelled against CM Kejriwal' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/rajendra-pal-gautam-interview-spoke-to-deputy-cm-told-him-dont-want-allegations-levelled-against-cm-kejriwal-8203369/ |access-date=12 October 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=12 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
A member of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]], Gautam's term as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in the [[Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi]] is his first. He defeated Karamvir of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] by a margin of 48,821 votes in the [[2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|2015 elections]].<ref name=" Comprehensive Election results ">{{cite news|title=Comprehensive Election results|publisher=[[Election Commission of India]] website|accessdate=12 February 2015|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/ElectionStatistics.aspx}}</ref>


==Posts Held==
On 10 October 2022, Gautam, shared a video that reportedly showed some Upper caste men beating a Dalit man. Gautam called Narendra Modi "a weak PM" and demanded his resignation and resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incidents. He said, "Stop these casteist shoddy acts Narendra Modi ji. Otherwise you resign. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is a complete failure in handling law and order. I know that you are such a weak Prime Minister that you can't even take resignation from him! You don't worry, my Bahujan Samaj will answer".<ref name="failing to protect">{{cite news |title=AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam demands resignations of Modi, Adiyanath; accuse them of failing to protect Dalits |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/aam-aadmi-party-leader-rajendra-pal-gautam-demands-resignations-of-modi-adiyanath-accuse-them-of-failing-to-protect-dalits/cid/1891184 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=telegraphindia.com |date=10 October 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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! # !! From !! To !! Position !! Comments
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| 01 || 2015 || - || Member, [[Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi]] ||
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==Controversy==
==Electoral performance ==
In  May 2020, he was criticised by the Indian Army for sharing a video curated & circulated by enemy agents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/army-strongly-condemns-tweeting-of-curated-video20200511222856/|title = Army 'strongly condemns' tweeting of 'curated' video}}</ref><ref>https://archive.today/JAZVw</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiandefencenews.info/delhi-minister-shares-pakistani-propaganda-video-against-indian-army/|title = Delhi Minister Shares Pakistani Propaganda Video Against Indian Army|date = 11 May 2020}}</ref> He took the video down later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/army-strongly-condemns-tweeting-of-curated-video20200511222856/|title = Army 'strongly condemns' tweeting of 'curated' video}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1259827838317817866|user=AdvRajendraPal|title=इस ट्वीट को डिलीट किया जा चुका है, इसी निवेदन के साथ की ऐसी किसी भी घटना के सामने आने पर सरकार और संबंधित लोग तुरंत…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
{{transcluded section|source=Seemapuri Assembly constituency}}  
{{#section:Seemapuri Assembly constituency|Assembly Election 2015}}
{{#section:Seemapuri Assembly constituency|Assembly Election 2020}}


==See also==
==See also==
 
{{Portal|India|Politics}}
* [[Government of India]]
* [[Government of India]]
*[[Politics of India]]
* [[Politics of India]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=40em}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=40em}}
{{Aam Aadmi Party |state=expanded}}


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{{IN MLA box
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| constituency= Seemapuri
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| years= [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|2020]]– }}
| years= [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|2020]]– }}
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{{s-ttl|title= Member of [[Aam Aadmi Party#National Executive Committee|National Executive Committee]] <br />[[Aam Aadmi Party]] |years=  – present}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gautam, Rajendra Pal}}
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[[Category:Aam Aadmi Party MLAs from Delhi]]
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[[Category:Indian activists]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]
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[[Category:Buddhist activists]]
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{{AAP-politician-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:05, 3 January 2026


Rajendra Pal Gautam
Chairman of SC Department
All India Congress Committee
Assumed office
4 June 2025
AICC PresidentMallikarjun Kharge
Cabinet Minister, Government of Delhi
In office
14 February 2015 – 19 October 2022
Lieutenant GovernorNajeeb Jung
Anil Baijal
Vinai Kumar Saxena
CabinetKejriwal ministry - II
Kejriwal ministry - III
Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal
Ministry and Departments
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byRaaj Kumar Anand
Member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly
In office
10 February 2015 – 26 September 2024
Preceded byDharmender Singh
Succeeded byVeer Singh Dhingan
ConstituencySeemapuri
Personal details
Born (1968-04-26) 26 April 1968 (age 58)
Delhi, India
Nationality Indian
Political partyIndian National Congress (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations		Aam Aadmi Party (2014–2024)
Spouse(s)Sushila Devi
Children2
Parent(s)Dalip Singh (father)
ResidenceNew Delhi
Alma materFaculty of Law, University of Delhi
Occupationpolitician and social activis
ProfessionAdvocate
CabinetKejriwal ministry - II, Kejriwal ministry - III

Rajendra Pal Gautam is an Indian politician, Dalit activist, social worker and a former Minister for Water, Tourist, Culture, Arts & Languages and Gurudwara Elections in the Government of Delhi. He is a former member of the Aam Aadmi Party and represented the Seemapuri Assembly constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.[1][2]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Gautam was born in Delhi. He holds an LL.B. degree from Delhi University and is an advocate by profession.[3] He is an Ambedkarite and Buddhist activist.[4][5][6][7][8]

Political career[edit | edit source]

In 2014, he became a member of the Aam Aadmi Party.[9] Gautam's term as an MLA in the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi was his first. He defeated Karamvir of the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin of 48,821 votes in the 2015 elections.[10] He was re-elected in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election.

Cabinet Minister, Delhi[edit | edit source]

He was a cabinet minister in the Third Kejriwal ministry since 14 February 2015 till 8 October 2022 and held the charge of below listed departments of the Delhi Government.

  • Social welfare
  • SC & ST
  • Cooperative
  • Gurudwara Elections
  • Women & Child

Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Pratiba Vikas Yojana[edit | edit source]

As minister, Gautam held the charge of social welfare department in the Second Kejriwal ministry. Under his charge Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Pratiba Vikas Yojana was started. Indian Express noted it as one of Arvind Kejriwal government's most ambitious programmes. In this program, free coaching is provided to children from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to prepare them for IIT JEE, NEET and other competitive exams. When the program started about 4,900 students enrolled for the free coaching classes. in 2022, around 15,000 are enrolled in various courses under this scheme.[9]

Controversy[edit | edit source]

In May 2020, he was criticised by the Indian Army for sharing a video curated and circulated by enemy agents.[11][12][13] He later took the video down.[11][14]

Social activism[edit | edit source]

He taught about 450 children from poor families and worked on reducing addiction among the youth. He worked for upliftment and rights of Dalits. He was awarded the Samata Sainik Dal's Dr Ambedkar Award in 2017.[9]

He operated a Non-governmental organization (NGO) called Partivartan and as of 2022 he runs the organisation, 'Mission Jai Bhim'.[9] Gautam is the founder of the organisation, Mission Jai Bhim.[15]

Rajendra Pal Gautam quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and stepped down as the legislator of Seemapuri on 6 September 2024 and joined Indian National Congress in the presence of Congress General Secretary K.C Venugopal at AICC HQ in New Delhi.[16][17]

Resigned from the post of cabinet minister[edit | edit source]

On 5 October 2022, Buddhist Society of India and Mission Jai Bhim jointly organized an event[18] at Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan Rani Jhansi Road. Gautam attended the event and later said that in the event "more than 10,000 people pledged to join Buddhism and work for making India free from casteism and untouchability."[15] During the event, while Gautam was on stage, the attendees repeated Twenty-two vows that B. R. Ambedkar had administered to his followers. Among other vows it included a vow that they would not pray to Hindu gods and goddesses.[9] The 22-point pledge was first made in 1956 by Dr B. R. Ambedkar when he renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. Since then such events have been organised regularly, where people who are mainly from the oppressed castes, recite the 22 vows and embrace Buddhism.[19][20]

Indian Express reported that 66 years after the twenty-two vows of Ambedkar were first made, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders chose to suddenly take offence to the vows. It was reported that there were no derogatory words for Hindu gods and goddesses in the pledge, but it simply asserts that the speaker shall not worship them. The BJP leaders criticised Gautam for his speech and made legal complaints against him.[19] BJP attacked AAP, AAP president Arvind Kejriwal and Gautam during the campaign for 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election.[21]

Gautam responded saying that BJP was spreading rumours about him and said, "If I believe in Buddhism, what is wrong with that? If the BJP has to complain, they can. The Constitution of India gives us the freedom to follow any religion. The BJP is losing ground and it is afraid of the Aam Aadmi Party. They can only lodge fake cases against us". He said, "I am a very religious person. I personally respect all the gods and goddesses and can never even dream of insulting the deities by my actions or words. I did not say any word towards anyone's faith, I respect everyone's faith. In my speech, I spoke on education, health, employment, inflation and social equality. But then BJP people are spreading false rumors about me. I am deeply hurt by this act of BJP people and I apologize with folded hands to all those people who have been hurt in any way due to this propaganda of BJP".[22]

On 9 October 2022, he resigned from the post of cabinet minister.[23] AAP has not officially responded to the event. He said in his resignation letter that he had noticed that the BJP had been targeting Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP for Gautam's participation in the event. He said that those attacks had saddened him. He said, "I will continue to work for the party to strengthen India and will follow the teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar all my life. The BJP has a problem with me following the teaching of Babasaheb Ambedkar and is using this to play dirty politics… I do not wish that due to me my leader Mr. Kejriwal and my party are harmed in anyway."[24][25][26]

On 10 October 2022, Gautam, shared a video that reportedly showed some Upper caste men beating a Dalit man. Gautam called Narendra Modi "a weak PM" and demanded his resignation and resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incidents. He said, "Stop these casteist shoddy acts Narendra Modi ji. Otherwise you resign. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is a complete failure in handling law and order. I know that you are such a weak Prime Minister that you can't even take resignation from him! You don't worry, my Bahujan Samaj will answer".[21]

Electoral performance[edit | edit source]

This section is transcluded from Seemapuri Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Delhi Assembly elections, 2015: Seemapuri
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Rajendra Pal Gautam 79,777 63.04 +25.28
BJP Karamvir 30,956 24.46 +3.17
INC Veer Singh Dhingan 10,674 8.44 −18.85
BSP Jai Shree 4,103 3.24 −7.69
GRP Aarti 304 0.24
NOTA None 499 0.39 −0.24
Majority 48,821 38.58 +28.11
Turnout 1,26,640 73.29
AAP hold Swing +25.28
Delhi Assembly elections, 2020: Seemapuri
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Rajendra Pal Gautam 88,392 65.82 +2.78
LJP Sant Lal 32,284 24.04
INC Veer Singh Dhingan 7,661 5.70 −2.74
NOTA None of the above 1,002 0.75 +0.36
Majority 56,108 41.78 +3.20
Turnout 1,34,437 68.48 −4.81
AAP hold Swing +2.78

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Election result". Election commission of India. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Cabinet Ministers". delhi.gov.in. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Brief profile". myneta.info. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Misinformation being spread, not pulling down Ambedkar statue: AAP".
  5. ↑ "B R Ambedkar was instrumental in shaping legal rights of women in India". 6 December 2019.
  6. ↑ "In the Name of God & Martyrs of Freedom Struggle: Kejriwal's Ministers Take Oath in different Ways". 16 February 2020.
  7. ↑ "Committed to values of Ambedkar, will not pull down his statue: AAP minister". Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Kejriwal's ministers go by their choice, take oath in different ways". The Economic Times.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Who is Rajendra Pal Gautam, AAP minister in eye of storm?". The Indian Express. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Comprehensive Election results". Election Commission of India website. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Army 'strongly condemns' tweeting of 'curated' video".
  12. ↑ "Rajendra Pal Gautam on Twitter: "एक तरफ राष्ट्रवाद और सैनिक सम्मान दू…".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ "Delhi Minister Shares Pakistani Propaganda Video Against Indian Army". 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  14. ↑ @AdvRajendraPal (11 May 2020). "इस ट्वीट को डिलीट किया जा चुका है, इसी निवेदन के साथ की ऐसी किसी भी घटना के सामने आने पर सरकार और संबंधित लोग तुरंत…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Gautam lands in conversion controversy". The Pioneer. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Prominent Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam joins Congress". The Hindu. 6 September 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  17. ↑ "AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns, joins Congress: 'Will intensify struggle for social justice of Bahujan Samaj'". The Indian Express. 6 September 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  18. ↑ "विवादित बयान के बाद राजेंद्र पाल गौतम का इस्तीफा, आजतक को बताई वजह". आज तक (in हिन्दी). 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Ambedkar's 22 vows: Why Babasaheb made the pledge at the centre of BJP-AAP row". The Indian Express. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "Delhi News Live Updates: Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns as Delhi Cabinet Minister". The Indian Express. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam demands resignations of Modi, Adiyanath; accuse them of failing to protect Dalits". telegraphindia.com. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "I respect all gods, goddesses: Gautam". The Pioneer. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns after row over oath at Buddhism event". Hindustan Times. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  24. ↑ "Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns after controversy over religious conversion event". The Hindu. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "Delhi AAP Minister Resigns After Row Over Presence At Conversion Event". NDTV.com. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "Rajendra Pal Gautam interview: 'Spoke to Deputy CM, told him — don't want allegations levelled against CM Kejriwal'". The Indian Express. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
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