Anand Kumar (sociologist)

Anand Kumar (sociologist) Biography

Anand Kumar is a sociologist and former politician. He has been associated with Indian Sociological Society and served as National Convenor of Swaraj Abhiyan, and had a brief stint associated with Aam Aadmi Party. He contested 2014 general elections as a representative of AAP from the North East Delhi parliamentary constituency, but lost to BJP candidate Manoj Tiwari. He comes from an academic background with a connection to Uttar Pradesh, and he belongs to a family of freedom fighters and socialist leaders.

Anand Kumar was born in the holy city of Varanasi, UP. Belonging to a family of freedom fighters and socialist leaders, Anand Kumar too chose a social life. His socio political engagement began as a student of Banaras Hindu University in 1960s, where he studied MA in Sociology. He later completed MPhil. in Sociology from JNU, Delhi followed by a PhD in Sociology at the University of Chicago, 1986. After completing the course, he returned to his hometown where he started his professional career in BHU, where taught sociology. He taught at BNU during 1979 – 1989 as a lecturer, followed by JNU since 1989 as a professor till his retirement. He also taught at different colleges across of Europe as a guest lecturer and visiting faculty.

He was a gold medalist of Banaras Hindu University, with which he has been associated with, for nearly 5 decades. During his academic years, he was a gold medalist too. His association with JNU is for the last three decades. He had a brief stint with AAP and politics in the recent past, and National Executive Committee member of the Party. He unsuccessfully contested 2014 general elections as well.

Published: September 22, 2018

Updated: September 22, 2018