Agnivesh Biography 
Agnivesh is a social activist, scholar and politician from Haryana. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly of Haryana in 1977, and served as a cabinet Minister for Education in 1979. He belongs to Arya samaj and a self-titled Swami. Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award and Right Livelihood Award Sweden in 2004 and M. A. Thomas National Rights Award in 2006 are the major awards received by him. For his active participation in social activities, he has invited severe criticisms from various groups and was also called anti-Hindu by some Hindu groups. His statement that the Puri Jagannath Temple should be opened to non-Hindus was one such incident which brought wide criticisms from Hindu communities. As a social activist, his best known contribution is against bonded labour and he is also the founder of Bonded Labour Liberation Front (1981) and World Council of Arya Samaj.
He was born as Shyam Vepa Rao in Sakti of present-day Chhattisgarh in the year 1939. After graduation, he worked as a lecturer of Business Management in the mid-1960’s. He joined Arya Samaj in 1968 and took the sanyas vows in 1970. He continued his association with Arya Samaj till he was expelled in the year 2008. He became active in politics during 1970’s and served as State Minister for Education from 1979 to 1982 after he became MLA in 1977. While as minister, he founded Bonded Labour Liberation Front in 1981 and he is best known for his work against bonded labour through this organization.
After leaving the Ministry, he was accused of charges of subversion and murder and has been arrested twice. He took part in the anti-corruption protests in August 2011. But later became a victim of humiliation when his video appeared on Youtube, talking to someone addressed as Mr. Kapil. He has also served as the editor of Rajdharma and Kranti Dharmi magazines.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 26, 2014
