Summary
Dr.Udit Raj (born 1 January 1958) is an Indian politician and member of the Indian National Congress.[1] He was a Member of Parliament between 2014 and 2019 in the Lok Sabha, representing North West Delhi as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party but left the party after its first term. He was a civil servant and is the former Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax at New Delhi. Raj is also the National Chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations.[2][3]
Udit Raj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 16 May 2014 – 23 May 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Krishna Tirath |
| Succeeded by | Hans Raj Hans |
| Constituency | North West Delhi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1958 Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress (2019-present) |
| Other political affiliations | Bharatiya Janata Party (2014-2019) |
| Spouse |
Seema Raj (m. 1990) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Osmania University (MA, 1988) Bible College and Seminary Kota , Rajasthan (Hon Dr. 2003) |
| Profession | Civil servant (Indian Revenue Service), social activist, writer, politician |
| Website | uditraj |
Life and education edit
Raj was born on 1 January 1958 in Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh to Kallan and Sukhdei.[4] He completed a Master of Arts from Osmania University 1988 and received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Bible College and Seminary Kota, Rajasthan in 2003.[4][5]
He married Seem Raj on 24 March 1990, with whom he has a son and a daughter.[4]
Raj converted from Hinduism to Buddhism in 2001.[6]
He is also a businessperson and a consultant, apart from being a politician and a social worker.[4][5]
Indian Revenue Service edit
Raj was selected for the Indian Revenue Service in 1988 and served as the Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax at New Delhi.
Political career edit
On 24 November 2003, he resigned from government service and formed the Indian Justice Party.[4]
He merged Indian Justice Party with Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 February 2014, and was elected as a Member of Parliament on BJP ticket.
In 2019, Raj left BJP to join Indian National Congress.
Overseas engagements edit
In July 2015, Raj had visited Melbourne, Australia, and interacted with Indian community in Australia, to get a better understanding of the overseas Indian community, and how they can help in growth of India. He had requested the Australian Indian community to help with construction of toilets in the Jaunti Village, which was part of his then electorate. India Australia Exchange Forum (IAEF) - A Melbourne based Indian community organisation had taken lead in raising funds for construction of toilets in Jaunti village.
Raj had also visited the Victorian Parliament, and had meetings with former Victorian Premier Hon. Ted Baillieu, and Ministerial Adviser Mr. Nitin Gupta during his Melbourne trip. [7]
References edit
- ^ "Denied ticket by the BJP, Udit Raj joins Congress". Hindustan Times. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ Ashok, Sowmiya (19 November 2014). "Udit Raj to be part of SC/ST 'Maha Rally'". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Noted Dalit Activist Udit Raj joins Bharatiya Janata Party". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Udit Raj(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- NORTH WEST DELHI(NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Varagur, Krithika (11 April 2018). "Converting to Buddhism as a Form of Political Protest". The Atlantic. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ "Clean India Fundraiser". Indian Link. 3 February 2016.