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{{Short description|Indian politician (b. 1974)}}
{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1974)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}  
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}  
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    =  
| honorific_prefix    = [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
| image              = Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in March 2023.jpg
| name                = Anurag Singh Thakur
| image              = Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in July 2021.jpg
| image_size          = 220px
| image_size          = 220px
| caption            = Thakur in 2023
| caption            = Thakur in 2021
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|24|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
| birth_place        = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]], India
| residence          = Sameerpur, [[Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur]],jaipur [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| residence          = [[New Delhi|22, Akbar Road, New Delhi]]
| death_date          =  
| death_date          =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| office              = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister for Information and Broadcasting]]
| office              = [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting]]
| term_start          = 7 July 2021
| term_start          = 7 July 2021
| term_end            =  
| term_end            = 10 June 2024
| predecessor        = [[Prakash Javadekar]]
| predecessor        = [[Prakash Javadekar]]
| successor          = [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]]
| primeminister      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| primeminister      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| office1            = [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports]]
| office1            = [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports]]
| term_start1        = 7 July 2021
| term_start1        = 7 July 2021
| term_end1          =  
| term_end1          = 10 June 2024
| predecessor1        = [[Kiren Rijiju]]
| predecessor1        = [[Kiren Rijiju]]
| successor1          =  
| successor1          = [[Mansukh Mandaviya]]
| primeminister1      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| primeminister1      = Narendra Modi
| office2            = [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs]]
| office2            = [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs]]
| primeminister2      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| minister2          = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| minister2          = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| predecessor2        =  
| predecessor2        =  
Line 30: Line 31:
| term_start2        = 31 May 2019
| term_start2        = 31 May 2019
| term_end2          = 7 July 2021
| term_end2          = 7 July 2021
| office5            = President of [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| office5            = [[President (corporate title)|President]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| term_start5        = 2011
| term_start5        = 2011
| term_end5          = 2016
| term_end5          = 2016
| predecessor5        = [[Amit Thaker]]
| predecessor5        = [[Amit Thaker]]
| successor5          = [[Poonam Mahajan]]
| successor5          = [[Poonam Mahajan]]
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start3        = 25 May 2008
| term_start3        = 25 May 2008
| term_end3          =  
| term_end3          =  
| predecessor3        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]
| predecessor3        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]
| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
| constituency3      = [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
| majority3          = 3,99,572 (40.41%)
| majority3          = 1,82,357 (17.42%)
| office4            = [[List of Board of Control for Cricket in India presidents|33rd President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
| office4            = 33rd [[List of presidents of the Board of Control for Cricket in India|President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
| term_start4        = 22 May 2016
| term_start4        = 22 May 2016
| term_end4          = 2 January 2017
| term_end4          = 2 January 2017
| predecessor4        = [[Shashank Manohar]]
| predecessor4        = [[Shashank Manohar]]
| successor4          = C. K. Khanna
| successor4          = C. K. Khanna ''(interim)''
| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| alma_mater          = [[Doaba College]] ([[B.A]])
| alma_mater          = [[Doaba College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|B.A]])
| spouse              = Sheffali Thakur
| occupation          = {{hlist|Cricketer|military officer|politician}}
| spouse              = {{marriage|Shefali Thakur|2002}}
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| branch              = {{army|India}}
| branch              = {{army|India}}
| serviceyears        =
| rank                = [[File:Captain of the Indian Army.svg|15px]] [[Army ranks and insignia of India#Officers|Captain]]
| rank                = [[File:Captain of the Indian Army.svg|14px]] [[Captain]]
| unit                = {{flagicon image|Territorial Army (Flag).svg}} [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]]
| unit                = {{flagicon image|Territorial Army (Flag).svg}} [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]]
| serviceyears        = 2016–present
| battles            =  
| battles            =  
| mawards            =  
| mawards            =  
}}
}}
[[Captain]] '''Anurag Singh Thakur''' (born 24 October 1974) is an Indian politician from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]. He is the current Minister of [[Ministry of Sports (India)|Sports, Youth Affairs]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]] in the [[Second Modi ministry]]. His father, [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] was a former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]].  
[[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] '''Anurag Singh Thakur''' (born 24 October 1974) is an Indian politician from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]. He was former Minister of [[Ministry of Sports (India)|Sports, Youth Affairs]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]] in the [[Second Modi ministry]]. His father, [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] was a former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]].


Previously, Thakur served as a Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]]. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anurag-thakurs-political-journey-a-tale-of-struggle-patience-and-thorns/articleshow/84206351.cms| title=Anurag Thakur's political journey: A tale of struggle, patience and thorns |work=TimesofIndia|date=7 July 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> Coming from a political family of [[Himachal Pradesh]], he is a long serving, four time [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], being a member of [[14th Lok Sabha|14th]], [[15th Lok Sabha|15th]], [[16th Lok Sabha|16th]], and [[17th Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/lok-sabha-poll-in-hamirpur-dropped-fathers-surname-to-find-my-own-identity-says-bjps-anurag-thakur-on-bucking-anti-dynasty-trend-6549471.html| title=Lok Sabha poll in Hamirpur: 'Dropped father's surname to find my own identity,' says BJP's Anurag Thakur on bucking anti-dynasty trend |work=firstpost|date=1 May 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>  
Previously, Thakur served as a Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]]. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anurag-thakurs-political-journey-a-tale-of-struggle-patience-and-thorns/articleshow/84206351.cms| title=Anurag Thakur's political journey: A tale of struggle, patience and thorns |work=TimesofIndia|date=7 July 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> Coming from a political family of [[Himachal Pradesh]], he is a long serving, four time [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], being a member of [[14th Lok Sabha|14th]], [[15th Lok Sabha|15th]], [[16th Lok Sabha|16th]], and [[17th Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/lok-sabha-poll-in-hamirpur-dropped-fathers-surname-to-find-my-own-identity-says-bjps-anurag-thakur-on-bucking-anti-dynasty-trend-6549471.html| title=Lok Sabha poll in Hamirpur: 'Dropped father's surname to find my own identity,' says BJP's Anurag Thakur on bucking anti-dynasty trend |work=firstpost|date=1 May 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>


Previously, he was the [[President (corporate title)|president]] of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017, and had to leave that position after the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] order on BCCI governance.
Previously, he was the [[President (corporate title)|president]] of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017, and had to leave that position after the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] order on BCCI governance.
During his time as bcci president he operated for some time from West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anurag-thakur-former-bcci-president-apologises-to-supreme-court/story-4gQp31AzjpOdEEkllbL9dK.html|title=Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court|date=2017-03-06|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en}}</ref> On July 29, 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/anurag-thakur-territorial-army-bjp-mp-2942887/|title=Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army|date=2016-07-29|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-US}}</ref>   
During his time as BCCI president he operated for some time from West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anurag-thakur-former-bcci-president-apologises-to-supreme-court/story-4gQp31AzjpOdEEkllbL9dK.html|title=Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court|date=6 March 2017|work=hindustantimes.com|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> On 29 July 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/anurag-thakur-territorial-army-bjp-mp-2942887/|title=Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army|date=29 July 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref>   
He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/high-court-restores-dharamshala-cricket-stadium-to-anurags-hpca/|date=2013-11-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> There was also controversy over his appointment as the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) and he had to leave that position following a Supreme Court order.
He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/high-court-restores-dharamshala-cricket-stadium-to-anurags-hpca/|date=5 November 2013|website=The Indian Express|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> There was also controversy over his appointment as the president of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) and he had to leave that position following a Supreme Court order. In  2024, he was elected as MP from [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur constituency]] in Himachal Pradesh for the [[2024 Indian general election|2024 General Elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2024 |title=Second list of BJP candidates for ensuing General Elections 2024 to the Parliamentary Constituencies of different states finalised by BJP CEC. BJP upcoming president.
|url=https://www.bjp.org/pressreleases/second-list-bjp-candidates-ensuing-general-elections-2024-parliamentary |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls">{{cite news|last1=The Economic Times|title=Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|accessdate=27 July 2024|date=6 June 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727153249/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|archivedate=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls2">{{cite news|last1=The Economic Times|title=Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|accessdate=27 July 2024|date=6 June 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727153249/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|archivedate=27 July 2024}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 in [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]] and his family belongs to the [[Hindu]] [[Rajput]] community.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachal/bjp-works-out-caste-equation-carefully-756554|title=BJP works out caste equation carefully|work=The Trobune|date=11 April 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> He is the younger son of [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] and Sheela Devi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|author=Nora Chopra|title=Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind|work=[[The Sunday Guardian]]|date=20 November 2011|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827185017/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]] was a former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]. He has done his bachelors [[B.A.]] degree from [[Doaba College]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/anurag-singh-thakur |title=Anurag Singh Thakur |publisher= Government of India |quote= He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab}}</ref>He did his schooling from [https://www.google.com/search?q=dayand+model+sr+sec+school+jalandar+dayanad+nagar&oq=dayand+model+sr+sec+school+jalandar+dayanad+nagar+&aqs=chrome..69i57.17935j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Dayanand model sr. sec. school], Dayanand nagar, [[Jalandhar]].
Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 in [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]] and his family belongs to the [[Hindu]] [[Rajput]] community.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachal/bjp-works-out-caste-equation-carefully-756554|title=BJP works out caste equation carefully|work=The Trobune|date=11 April 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> He is the elder son of Prem Kumar Dhumal and Sheela Devi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|author=Nora Chopra|title=Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind|work=[[The Sunday Guardian]]|date=20 November 2011|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827185017/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/buzzword/anurag-or-varun-for-up-bjp-cannot-make-up-its-mind|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal was a former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]. He has done his bachelors [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] degree from [[Doaba College]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/anurag-singh-thakur |title=Anurag Singh Thakur |publisher=Government of India |quote= He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab}}</ref> He did his schooling from Dayanand Model Sr. Sec. School, Dayanand Nagar, [[Jalandhar]].


==Political career==
==Political career==
[[File:Anurag Thakur with Nirmala Sitharaman.jpg|thumb|Captain Anurag Thakur meets Smt. [[Nirmala Sitharaman]], Minister of Finance after taking the charge of Minister of State for Finance]]
[[File:Anurag Thakur with Nirmala Sitharaman.jpg|thumb|Captain Anurag Thakur meets Smt. [[Nirmala Sitharaman]], Minister of Finance after taking the charge of Minister of State for Finance]]
In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/404.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627024230/http://eciresults.nic.in/frmWinnerList.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Election Commission of India|archivedate=27 June 2009|website=results.eci.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal%20Pradesh |title=Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010101/http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal+Pradesh |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>  
In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/404.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627024230/http://eciresults.nic.in/frmWinnerList.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Election Commission of India|archivedate=27 June 2009|website=results.eci.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal%20Pradesh |title=Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010101/http://164.100.47.134/newls/statedetail.aspx?state_name=Himachal+Pradesh |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


January 19, 2019 he became the first [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] MP to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bjp-mp-anurag-thakur-honoured-with-sansad-ratna-award-119012000016_1.html|title=BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award|work=business-standard|date=20 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>  
On 19 January 2019 he became the first [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] MP to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bjp-mp-anurag-thakur-honoured-with-sansad-ratna-award-119012000016_1.html|title=BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award|work=business-standard|date=20 January 2019|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>


===Minister===
===Minister===
In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>
In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Ministry of Corporate Affairs|Corporate Affairs]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>


On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information & Broadcasting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/former-bcci-president-anurag-thakur-appointed-as-indias-new-minister-of-youth-affairs-and-sports/ |title=Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports |work=SportsTiger |date=7 July 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> in the [[Second Modi ministry]] as part of changes in the [[Union Council of Ministers]]. <ref name="auto"/>
On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the [[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports]] and [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information & Broadcasting]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/former-bcci-president-anurag-thakur-appointed-as-indias-new-minister-of-youth-affairs-and-sports/ |title=Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports |work=SportsTiger |date=7 July 2021 |access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> in the [[Second Modi ministry]] as part of changes in the [[Union Council of Ministers]].<ref name="auto"/>
 
===Goli Maro chants===
===Goli Maro chants===
In the 2020 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using the inflammatory slogan "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a [[BJP]] rally.<ref>{{citation |title=Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/anurag-thakur-goli-maro-chants-at-delhi-election-rally_in_5e2f9a7bc5b68f86c8cd03b5 |work=[[Huffington Post]] |date=28 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-03|title=Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goli-maarna-band-karo-opposition-protests-against-union-minister-anurag-thakur-in-parliament/story-q4Rl9jfKBla0QdFx9hIgGK.html|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> On being questioned about the statements by the media on March 1, 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and  “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.”.
In the 2020 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using the inflammatory slogan "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a [[BJP]] rally.<ref>{{citation |title=Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/anurag-thakur-goli-maro-chants-at-delhi-election-rally_in_5e2f9a7bc5b68f86c8cd03b5 |work=[[Huffington Post]] |date=28 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=3 February 2020|title=Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goli-maarna-band-karo-opposition-protests-against-union-minister-anurag-thakur-in-parliament/story-q4Rl9jfKBla0QdFx9hIgGK.html|access-date=25 June 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> On being questioned about the statements by the media on 1 March 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and  “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.”
<ref>{{Cite web|title='Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters|url=https://thewire.in/politics/anurag-thakur-hate-speech|website=The Wire|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> The [[Election Commission of India]] ordered that Thakur be removed from the BJP's list of star campaigners and then imposed a 72 hour campaigning ban on him.<ref>{{citation |title=EC bans Anurag Thakur for 72 hours from campaigning |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/delhi-elections-ec-ban-on-anurag-thakur-pravesh-verma-bjp-caa-shaheen-bagh-protests-6242683/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=30 January 2020 }}</ref> Following Thakur's speech, at least three incidents were reported in which [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|Anti-CAA protestors]] were fired upon.<ref>{{citation |title=Zero remorse: BJP minister who led 'shoot the traitors' chant is back on campaign trail |url=https://scroll.in/article/952001/zero-remorse-bjp-minister-who-led-shoot-the-traitors-chant-is-back-on-campaign-trail |work=[[Scroll.in|Scroll]] |date=3 February 2020 }}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|title='Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters|url=https://thewire.in/politics/anurag-thakur-hate-speech|website=The Wire|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> The [[Election Commission of India]] ordered that Thakur be removed from the BJP's list of star campaigners and then imposed a 72-hour campaigning ban on him.<ref>{{citation |title=EC bans Anurag Thakur for 72 hours from campaigning |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/delhi-elections-ec-ban-on-anurag-thakur-pravesh-verma-bjp-caa-shaheen-bagh-protests-6242683/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=30 January 2020 }}</ref> Following Thakur's speech, at least three incidents were reported in which [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|Anti-CAA protestors]] were fired upon.<ref>{{citation |title=Zero remorse: BJP minister who led 'shoot the traitors' chant is back on campaign trail |url=https://scroll.in/article/952001/zero-remorse-bjp-minister-who-led-shoot-the-traitors-chant-is-back-on-campaign-trail |work=[[Scroll.in|Scroll]] |date=3 February 2020 }}</ref>


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


This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/842147.html|title=Who is Anurag Thakur?|website=Cricinfo|access-date=2016-04-12}}</ref>
This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/842147.html|title=Who is Anurag Thakur?|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=3 March 2015 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>


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


He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket of India order on 02/01/2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.
He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket of India order on 2 January 2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.


=== Appointment as BCCI president ===
=== Appointment as BCCI president ===
Thakur rose through the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.<ref name=bcci>{{cite news|title=Joint Secretary of BCCI |url=http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222050707/http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |archive-date=22 December 2011 }}</ref> On 22 May 2016, Thakur became the president of BCCI, but his tenure was cut short when the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 3 January 2017|last1= Rautray|first1= Samanwaya}}</ref>
Thakur rose through the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.<ref name=bcci>{{cite news|title=Joint Secretary of BCCI |url=http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222050707/http://www.bcci.tv/bcci/bccitv/index/office |archive-date=22 December 2011 }}</ref> On 22 May 2016, Anurag Thakur became the president of BCCI, but his tenure was cut short when the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/supreme-court-sacks-anurag-thakur-shirke-from-bcci/articleshow/56288727.cms|title= Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 3 January 2017|last1= Rautray|first1= Samanwaya}}</ref>


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


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of [[Gulab Singh Thakur]], former Minister in the Government of [[Himachal Pradesh]], on 27 November 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bjp-candidate-from-joginder-nagar-assembly-seat-in-himachal-gulab-singh-thakur-2577796.html|title=BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur|last=Deepika|date=7 November 2017|website=www.oneindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017-seven-time-mla-gulab-singh-thakur-ready-for-final-poll-innings-from-joginder-nagar-4922067/|title=Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar|date=4 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/himachal-pradesh-polls-parkash-rana-thakur-jewan-thakur-gulab-singh-thakur-joginder-nagar-set-for-triangular-contest-4914529/|title=Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>
Thakur decided at the age of 13 that he will not use his father's surname Dhumal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-13 |title=अनुराग का खुलासा, क्यों धूमल नहीं ठाकुर लगाते हैं अपने नाम के पीछे |url=https://m.himachal.punjabkesari.in/himachal-pradesh/news/anurag--s-disclosure--why-do-thakur-behind-his-name-not-dhumal-676138?amp= |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Punjabkesari |language=Hindi}}</ref> Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of [[Gulab Singh Thakur]], former Minister in the Government of [[Himachal Pradesh]], on 27 November 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/bjp-candidate-from-joginder-nagar-assembly-seat-in-himachal-gulab-singh-thakur-2577796.html|title=BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur|last=Deepika|date=7 November 2017|website=www.oneindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017-seven-time-mla-gulab-singh-thakur-ready-for-final-poll-innings-from-joginder-nagar-4922067/|title=Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar|date=4 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/himachal-pradesh-polls-parkash-rana-thakur-jewan-thakur-gulab-singh-thakur-joginder-nagar-set-for-triangular-contest-4914529/|title=Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest|date=31 October 2017}}</ref>


== Territorial Army ==
== Territorial Army ==
[[File:The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh conferring the rank of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|The [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]], [[General Dalbir Singh]] conferring the rank of [[lieutenant]] in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]] on Shri '''Anurag Singh Thakur''', Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in [[New Delhi]] on July 29, 2016.]]  
[[File:The Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh conferring the rank of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|(Right side) The then [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]], [[General Dalbir Singh]] and (left side) his father Shri [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]], former [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]] conferring the rank of [[Lieutenant]] in the [[Territorial Army (India)|Territorial Army]] (TA) on Shri '''Anurag Singh Thakur''', Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in [[New Delhi]] on 29 July 2016.]]  
In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the territorial army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-mp-bcci-chief-anurag-thakur-to-join-territorial-army/articleshow/53412729.cms|title=BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=27 July 2016 }}</ref>  
In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the [[Territorial Army (India)| Territorial Army]], becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-mp-bcci-chief-anurag-thakur-to-join-territorial-army/articleshow/53412729.cms|title=BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army. India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=27 July 2016 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
 
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website|url=http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4249|name=Profile on Government of India website}}
* {{Official website|url=http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4249|name=Profile on Government of India website}}
* {{cricinfo|ref=ci/content/player/842245.html}}
* {{cricinfo|ref=ci/content/player/842245.html}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Offices and distinctions
|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|in-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur]] |years=2008 – Present}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Kiren Rijiju]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports]]|years=7 July 2021 – Present}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information and Broadcasting]]|years=7 July 2021 - Present}}
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}}


{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}
{{Second Narendra Modi Cabinet}}
{{Ministry of Finance (India)}}
{{Ministry of Finance (India)}}
{{16th LS members from Himachal Pradesh}}
{{16th LS members from Himachal Pradesh}}
{{17th LS members from Himachal Pradesh}}
{{17th LS members from Himachal Pradesh}}{{18th LS members from Himachal Pradesh}}{{Presidents of BCCI}}
 
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[[Category:Presidents of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Board of Control for Cricket in India]]
[[Category:People from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–present]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election]]
[[Category:National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:India MPs 2024–2029]]

Latest revision as of 20:29, 29 March 2026


Captain
Anurag Singh Thakur
Thakur in 2021
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting
In office
7 July 2021 – 10 June 2024
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byPrakash Javadekar
Succeeded byAshwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
In office
7 July 2021 – 10 June 2024
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byKiren Rijiju
Succeeded byMansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs
In office
31 May 2019 – 7 July 2021
MinisterNirmala Sitharaman
Succeeded byBhagwat Karad
Pankaj Chaudhary
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
25 May 2008
Preceded byPrem Kumar Dhumal
ConstituencyHamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Majority1,82,357 (17.42%)
33rd President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India
In office
22 May 2016 – 2 January 2017
Preceded byShashank Manohar
Succeeded byC. K. Khanna (interim)
President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha
In office
2011–2016
Preceded byAmit Thaker
Succeeded byPoonam Mahajan
Personal details
Born (1974-10-24) 24 October 1974 (age 51)
Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)
Shefali Thakur
(
m. 2002)
Residence22, Akbar Road, New Delhi
Alma materDoaba College (B.A)
Occupation
  • Cricketer
  • military officer
  • politician
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Army
Years of service2016–present
Rank Captain
Unit Territorial Army

Captain Anurag Singh Thakur (born 24 October 1974) is an Indian politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. He was former Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi ministry. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

Previously, Thakur served as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in May 2008 in a by poll as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[1] Coming from a political family of Himachal Pradesh, he is a long serving, four time Member of Parliament, being a member of 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Lok Sabha.[2]

Previously, he was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017, and had to leave that position after the Supreme Court order on BCCI governance. During his time as BCCI president he operated for some time from West Bengal.[3] On 29 July 2016, he became the first serving Member of Parliament from the BJP to become a regular commissioned officer in the Territorial Army.[4] He was involved in a legal struggle between the Himachal Pradesh State Government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association over the rights to the International Cricket Stadium at Dharamshala.[5] There was also controversy over his appointment as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and he had to leave that position following a Supreme Court order. In 2024, he was elected as MP from Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh for the 2024 General Elections.[6][7][8]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Thakur was born on 24 October 1974 in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and his family belongs to the Hindu Rajput community.[9] He is the elder son of Prem Kumar Dhumal and Sheela Devi.[10] His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He has done his bachelors B.A. degree from Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab.[11] He did his schooling from Dayanand Model Sr. Sec. School, Dayanand Nagar, Jalandhar.

Political career[edit | edit source]

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

In May 2008, Thakur succeeded his father when he was elected as Member of Parliament of India's 14th Lok Sabha from Hamirpur constituency. He was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009, 16th Loksabha in 2014, and 17th Loksabha in 2019. Later, in 2010 Thakur was appointed the national president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.[12][13]

On 19 January 2019 he became the first Bharatiya Janata Party MP to be awarded the Sansad Ratna Award, an award established in 2010 for recognizing contributions by parliamentarians.[14]

Minister[edit | edit source]

In May 2019, Thakur became Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.[15]

On 7 July 2021, Thakur was appointed as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Information & Broadcasting[16] in the Second Modi ministry as part of changes in the Union Council of Ministers.[1]

Goli Maro chants[edit | edit source]

In the 2020 Delhi elections, he was accused of being one of the leaders who incited communal tension in Delhi using the inflammatory slogan "traitors of the country", to which his audience replied "shoot the bastards", which were repeated by him in January 2020 at a BJP rally.[17][18] On being questioned about the statements by the media on 1 March 2020, he responded by saying, "You are lying, ... the matter is sub-judice." and “I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected.” [19] The Election Commission of India ordered that Thakur be removed from the BJP's list of star campaigners and then imposed a 72-hour campaigning ban on him.[20] Following Thakur's speech, at least three incidents were reported in which Anti-CAA protestors were fired upon.[21]

Cricket career[edit | edit source]

Professional player[edit | edit source]

Anurag Thakur played a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir in November 2000 when he was the president of HPCA.[22] He has played one match in first-class cricket representing Himachal Pradesh and leading the team as captain in a match against Jammu and Kashmir in the 2000/2001 season. Jammu and Kashmir won by 4 wickets.[23] He "picked himself" for the match so as to fulfill the BCCI criterion (which requires state administrators to have at least one first-class match experience) for becoming a selector at the state level.[24] After the match, he appointed himself as the chairman of selectors of HPCA Ranji trophy cricket team.[25]

This debut was his one and only first-class cricket match. This experience in first-class cricket enabled his induction into the BCCI national junior selection committee, satisfying the condition that only first-class players could be national selectors.[26]

Administrative head[edit | edit source]

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

He was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket of India order on 2 January 2017. Early on in his administrative tenure, he gained fame for possibly being the first cricketer to have made his first-class debut after taking over as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in July 2000.

Appointment as BCCI president[edit | edit source]

Thakur rose through the ranks in cricketing administration bodies to the position of secretary for BCCI.[27] On 22 May 2016, Anurag Thakur became the president of BCCI, but his tenure was cut short when the Supreme Court of India ruled on the Lodha Committee's third status report, submitted on 14 November 2016, asking for the disqualification of office-bearers of the BCCI and all state associations, who became ineligible as per the Apex Court's 18 July 2016 order.[28]

The court dismissed Thakur on 2 January 2017 for defying its 2016 order to implement the Lodha Committee reforms.[29] It also initiated contempt proceedings against Thakur[30] for what it prima facie deemed as perjury about his correspondence with the International Cricket Council. He submitted an affidavit of apology to the court which was rejected,[31] following which he filed an unconditional and unequivocal apology.[32] The court finally relented and dropped its contempt and perjury proceedings against him.[33]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Thakur decided at the age of 13 that he will not use his father's surname Dhumal.[34] Thakur married Shefali Thakur, daughter of Gulab Singh Thakur, former Minister in the Government of Himachal Pradesh, on 27 November 2002.[35][36][37]

Territorial Army[edit | edit source]

(Right side) The then Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh and (left side) his father Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh conferring the rank of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army (TA) on Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament and President BCCI, at a solemn ‘Commissioning’ ceremony, in New Delhi on 29 July 2016.

In July 2016, Anurag Thakur became a part of the Territorial Army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a TA Officer. He has been promoted to the rank of captain.[38]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Anurag Thakur's political journey: A tale of struggle, patience and thorns". TimesofIndia. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Lok Sabha poll in Hamirpur: 'Dropped father's surname to find my own identity,' says BJP's Anurag Thakur on bucking anti-dynasty trend". firstpost. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Anurag Thakur, former BCCI president, apologises to Supreme Court". hindustantimes.com. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Anurag Thakur becomes first serving BJP MP to join Territorial Army". The Indian Express. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "High Court restores Dharamshala cricket stadium to Anurag's HPCA". The Indian Express. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "Second list of BJP candidates for ensuing General Elections 2024 to the Parliamentary Constituencies of different states finalised by BJP CEC. BJP upcoming president". 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  7. ↑ The Economic Times (6 June 2024). "Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls". Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  8. ↑ The Economic Times (6 June 2024). "Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls". Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "BJP works out caste equation carefully". The Trobune. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Nora Chopra (20 November 2011). "Anurag or Varun for UP? BJP cannot make up its mind". The Sunday Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Anurag Singh Thakur". Government of India. He studied B.A. Educated at Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab
  12. ↑ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Lok Sabha Members Himachal Pradesh". Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  14. ↑ "BJP MP Anurag Thakur honoured with Sansad Ratna Award". business-standard. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers", Live Mint, 31 May 2019
  16. ↑ "Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur appointed as India's new Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports". SportsTiger. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Anurag Thakur On 'Goli Maro' Chants At Poll Rally: 'People Reacted. What Can I Do?", Huffington Post, 28 January 2020
  18. ↑ "Anurag Thakur faces Opposition ire over hate speech during Delhi poll campaign". Hindustan Times. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "'Hate Speech': Anurag Thakur Accuses Journalist of Lying, Calls For Action Against Rioters". The Wire. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  20. ↑ "EC bans Anurag Thakur for 72 hours from campaigning", The Indian Express, 30 January 2020
  21. ↑ "Zero remorse: BJP minister who led 'shoot the traitors' chant is back on campaign trail", Scroll, 3 February 2020
  22. ↑ Luthra, Chander Shekhar (4 March 2016). "The curious case of Anurag Thakur, the cricketer". DNA India.
  23. ↑ Dani, Bipin (7 October 2016). "Found Anurag Thakur to be an average player: Ex-J&K bowler". Deccan Chronicle.
  24. ↑ K, Sruthijith K. "Anurag Thakur, former Himachal CM's son, turned HPCA into a company after benefitting from state largesse". The Economic Times.
  25. ↑ "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Official Website-Home".
  26. ↑ "Who is Anurag Thakur?". ESPNcricinfo. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  27. ↑ "Joint Secretary of BCCI". Archived from the original on 22 December 2011.
  28. ↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (3 January 2017). "Anurag Thakur - Anurag Thakur Sacked from BCCI". The Economic Times.
  29. ↑ "Supreme Court Sacks BCCI President Anurag Thakur". The Wire. 2 January 2017.
  30. ↑ "Supreme Court accuses Anurag Thakur of personal perjury". Financial Express. 2 January 2017.
  31. ↑ Bagriya, Ashok (7 July 2017). "Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur asked to tender unconditional apology by SC". Hindustan Times.
  32. ↑ "Former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur tenders unconditional apology in contempt case". India Today. 13 July 2017.
  33. ↑ "Supreme Court drops contempt, perjury proceedings against Anurag Thakur". Economic Times. 14 July 2017.
  34. ↑ "अनुराग का खुलासा, क्यों धूमल नहीं ठाकुर लगाते हैं अपने नाम के पीछे". Punjabkesari (in Hindi). 13 September 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  35. ↑ Deepika (7 November 2017). "BJP candidate from Joginder Nagar assembly seat in Himachal: Gulab Singh Thakur". www.oneindia.com.
  36. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017: Seven-time MLA ready for 'final' poll innings from Joginder Nagar". 4 November 2017.
  37. ↑ "Himachal Pradesh Polls: Joginder Nagar set for triangular contest". 31 October 2017.
  38. ↑ "BJP MP & BCCI chief Anurag Thakur to join Territorial Army. India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 27 July 2016.

External links[edit | edit source]

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