Swami Agnivesh

Politician

Indian Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth21/09/1939
Age80 years (died on 11, Sep, 2020)
BirthplaceSrikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
Date of Death11/09/2020

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Bio/Wiki

Real NameVepa Shyam Rao
NicknameSwami Ji
TitleSocial Activist, Arya Samaj Leader, Reformer

Physical Stats & More

Height170 cm
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorGrey (Semi-Bald)

Educational Qualification(s)

College/UniversitySt Xavier's College, Kolkata
Educational QualificationDegree in Law and Commerce

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
CasteBrahmin
Food HabitVegetarian
HobbiesPublic Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening to Music

Relationships & More

Marital StatusUnmarried (Celibate)

Family

GrandfatherDiwan (Chief Minister) of the princely state of Shakti

Career

Political PartyArya Sabha
Political Journey
  • In 1970, Agnivesh founded a party named Arya Sabha, based on Arya Samaj principles.
  • In 1977, he was elected to the legislative assembly of Haryana.
  • In 1979, he served as an education minister in the Haryana government.
  • In 1981, he founded the 'Bonded Labour Liberation Front' to address bonded labor issues in India.
  • Spent 13 months in Ambala Central Jail during the Emergency.
Key Achievements
  • Founded Bandhua Mukti Morcha (Bonded Labour Liberation Front) to combat bonded and child labour
  • Appointed Chairperson of the United Nations Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery in 1994
  • Served as President of the World Council of Arya Samaj from 2004 to 2014
  • Recipient of the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Peace Prize) for efforts against bonded labour
  • Advocated for women's rights, religious tolerance, and against female foeticide
  • Participated in India Against Corruption campaign in 2011
  • Received First International Anti-Slavery Award in London in 1990
  • Received Freedom and Human Rights Award in Berne, Switzerland in 1994
  • Received Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award in 2004

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Agnivesh was born into an orthodox Hindu family.
2. He lost his father at the age of 4 and was raised by his maternal grandfather, who served as a Diwan of a princely state.
3. After completing his studies, he became a lecturer at St Xavierโ€™s College in Kolkata.
4. He practiced law under Sabyasachi Mukherji, who later became the Chief Justice of India.
5. Agnivesh resigned as Education Minister to protest the Haryana government's actions against workers opposing bonded labor.
6. In 1994, he was appointed Chairperson of the United Nations Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
7. He was honored with the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize, known as 'the Right Livelihood Award,' for his efforts against bonded labor.
8. From 2004 to 2014, he served as the President of the World Council of Arya Samaj.
9. Agnivesh actively participated in campaigns against female foeticide and corruption.
10. He authored several books and served as editor of 'Rajdharma' and 'Kranti Dharmi' magazines.
11. He faced physical attacks for his activism, including an incident in Delhi while paying respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
12. Became a full-time worker of Arya Samaj in 1968 and took sanyas vows in March 1970.
13. As a trusted lieutenant of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, led his movement in Haryana in 1974.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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