# Bhakta Charan Das

Bhakta Charan Das (born 26 November 1958) is an Indian politician from Odisha. He was a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and represented the Kalahandi in the 15th Lok Sabha. He is the current president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.

## Early life and education

Das graduated in law from Sambalpur University and worked as an advocate before entering politics.
Bhakta Charan Das participated in movements related to human rights, entitlements, and environmental conservation. In 1977, he joined the Yuva Chhatra Sangharsh Bahini, the student wing of the JP movement, where he advocated against corruption and for the rights of marginalized communities. The organization campaigned for the employment of local youths from nearby districts in the Indravati Hydro and Irrigation Project.

## Save Forest Movement – 1982-83

Das led the "SAVE FOREST" movement, raising awareness about the effects of deforestation, such as ecological imbalances, climate change, and reduced rainfall. He encouraged forest dwellers, including tribes, to protect the forest and wildlife from illegal timber contractors and forest officials. Das opposed the government's policy of auctioning timber trees and, along with forest dwellers and villagers, prevented contractors from entering the forest.

## Farmers' Movement - 1983

In 1983, Das supported the farmers movement by advocating for waiving bank loans for marginal farmers affected by drought in Kalahandi and other districts. He was supported by Shri Kishan Pattnaik then Member of Parliament from Sambalpur Constituency. Das organized protests at the district headquarters and Block Development Offices (B.D.O.s). Farmer rallies were held, and the state government conceded to some of the farmer's demands.

## As a politician

As an MLA, Das toured the district, including areas that had not been visited by elected representatives or officials since independence, and involved district administration officials in these visits. Das drew attention from the press, media, administration, and the government. He and his activists organized peaceful protests, bandhs, road blockades, and hunger strikes.
In the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Das highlighted the conditions faced by millions in his district, bringing attention to the issues of Kalahandi.

## As a member of Parliament and Minister in Government of India

Das contested the 1989 Lok Sabha election from the Kalahandi constituency on behalf of the Janata Party. He won and was appointed Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in the Union Ministry under Prime Minister V.P. Singh.
After the V.P. Singh government fell, Das was appointed Minister of State for Railways under Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar and oversaw the surveying and approval of new railway lines by the Planning Commission, their inclusion in the Union Railway Budget, the introduction of new trains, and the modernization of railway stations.
Das advocated for the rights of tribal communities, farmers, and other marginalized groups. His efforts in 2012–13 resulted in farmers in Odisha receiving over Rs 500 crore from the National Crop Insurance Scheme. Between 2009 and 2014, he worked to secure road, irrigation, and railway projects for the Kalahandi and Nuapada districts.

## Conservation of Niyamgiri and protection of rights of the Primitive tribal groups

In 2003, Vedanta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Odisha for an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh and bauxite mining from Niyamgiri. Das played a role in protecting Niyamgiri and the rights of the local inhabitants, particularly the Dongaria Kondhs, for whom Niyamgiri is a source of sustenance and holds religious significance.
Das opposed investment and mining projects and supported the local community's cause over Vedanta's interests. After a struggle by civil society groups and the local community, Das informed Sonia Gandhi, the President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), about the situation.
Rahul Gandhi, MP and General Secretary of the AICC, visited Niyamgiri Hills and engaged with the tribal communities, listening to their accounts and expressing solidarity with them.
Das and his activists conducted the movement adhering to Gandhian principles and brought attention to Vedanta's activities at the national government level.

## Implementation of forest rights act

Das supported Jamguda village in the Kalahandi district in securing the right to sell bamboo from natural forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. He pressured the Odisha government for the proper implementation of the act. His efforts supported a bamboo business for forest dwellers in Odisha.
As a result of his advocacy, two central ministers, Jayaram Ramesh and V. Kishore Chandra Deo, along with Odisha's Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra, visited Jamguda village. On 4 March 2013, they ensured the approval of bamboo sales by the Jamguda Gram Sabha.