Anurag Thakur was born in 1974 and did his graduation from Doaba College, Jalandhar followed by post-graduation from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Thakur belongs to a politically affluent family, his father Prem Kumar Dhumal is a senior BJP leader and held office before as a Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh twice, from 1998 to 2003 and then again in 2008 to 2012.
Naturally, Anurag Thakur followed in his father’s footsteps and joined Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata party in 2000.
He went on to become a member of the Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly, representing the Hamirpur constituency in 2008, he was re-elected to the assembly in 2012.
A pivotal point in his political career was winning the Lok Sabha elections from the Hamirpur constituency in 2014 and becoming a member of the parliament for the first time.
In 2016, he was appointed as the president of the board of control for cricket in India BCCI succeeding Shashank Manohar and became a part of the territorial army, becoming the first serving BJP Member of the parliament to become a TA office. He has since been promoted to the rank of Captain.
In 2019, he was appointed as the minister of state for finance and corporate affairs under the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Even during the 2021 cabinet shuffle, Thakur retained his position as the minister.
Throughout his political career, Anurag Thakur has been actively involved in various youth and sports organizations within the BJP, as well as in cricket administration. His rise in the political arena has been marked by both his association with the BJP's youth wing and his contributions to cricket administration, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.
Anurag Thakur got married to Shefali Thakur, daughter of Gulab Singh Thakur, a former minister in the government of Himachal Pradesh in 2002.
His official Twitter handle is @ianuragthakur and the name of his official Facebook page is Anurag Singh Thakur. He is also active on Instagram, under the username @official.anuragthakur
Opposition leaders staged a major protest march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and calling for fresh elections in states where electoral fraud was alleged. Key opposition leaders taking part in the demonstration highlighted massive public turnout, asserting that students, women, and youth have joined across party lines to voice dissatisfaction. Protesters raised concerns over security clampdowns, detentions of citizens and media professionals, and the protection extended by authorities. Responding to allegations from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party that the demonstration instigates anarchy with foreign support, opposition participants dismissed the claims as familiar diversionary tactics. They argued that issues of electoral integrity were widely supported by the public and reiterated their commitment to continue street protests until institutional accountability is ensured and their electoral grievances are addressed.
A delegation of leaders from the INDIA alliance is heading to the Supreme Court to submit a petition in person following large-scale demonstrations in the national capital. The Chief Justice of India previously communicated via email that a personal meeting with the political delegation would not be possible to avoid interference in executive and parliamentary functioning, while noting that legal relief remains open to any citizen or political party. Key leaders scheduled to enter the apex court premises include Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, Supriya Sule, M.K. Baby, D. Raja, and Dipankar Bhattacharya. Only a restricted delegation of opposition leaders has received permission to access the court premises, while thousands of supporters, student groups, and party cadre remain on Barakhamba Road and surrounding areas under heavy security monitoring.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur addressed a press briefing heavily criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegations regarding the Election Commission, Electronic Voting Machines, and democratic processes. Thakur accused Rahul Gandhi of making baseless accusations without providing verifiable evidence before constitutional bodies or the courts. He remarked that the country requires facts and truth rather than political noise and slogans. Thakur highlighted that democratic opposition entails accountability, stating that questioning institutions requires presenting proof of rule violations rather than defaming public mandates. He also brought up historical instances involving past elections, the Emergency, and ballot-paper irregularities to assert the opposition's pattern of blaming institutions after facing electoral losses. Thakur asked the Leader of Opposition to conduct responsible politics and present concrete evidence for any alleged irregularities.
In an episode of Politics in India Today, a senior cabinet minister addressed the social media discussion surrounding a video of swimming in a surging river in Arunachal Pradesh. The minister explained that swimming in rough river waters since childhood requires a specific upright technique to navigate strong currents, rejecting comparisons made by opposition party supporters regarding swimming styles. Addressing perceptions about youth leadership within the ruling party, the minister highlighted that cabinet members interact freely and share opinions during internal meetings. Furthermore, the minister dismissed media-created perceptions regarding the prime minister, asserting that the head of government is an attentive listener who permits extensive discussion among colleagues before offering final remarks. The conversation also touched upon public interactions with students, athletes, and political figures, as well as perceptions regarding formal press conferences.
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the farmers' Delhi chalo march. Clashes erupted after farmers' Delhi chalo march was blocked in Haryana by cops and tear gas shells were fired.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating tensions in Parliament following the release of a video by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The footage purportedly shows opposition MPs, specifically women MPs from the Congress party, crowding the Treasury benches and the area near the Prime Minister's seat. Kiren Rijiju stated, 'Congress Party is proud of the most degrading behaviours by their MPs,' adding that the BJP had to restrain its own members to prevent a 'very ugly scene.' The Minister alleged a 'nefarious plan' by the opposition to disrupt proceedings and create a physical confrontation. The programme highlights how Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Giriraj Singh were seen with folded hands, urging opposition members to return to their seats. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed concerns, noting he had advised the Prime Minister against entering the House to avoid 'unpleasant incidents' that could tarnish democratic traditions.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Himanshu Mishra discusses the elevation of Nitin Naveen as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Highlighting his journey from a grassroots worker to the party's top post, Mishra notes that Naveen’s appointment signals a generational shift within the organization. The speaker emphasizes Naveen's core philosophy, quoting him: 'There are no shortcuts in politics.' The discussion details Naveen's extensive experience, including his five terms as an MLA, his ministerial roles in Bihar, and his successful stint as the election in-charge for Chhattisgarh, where the BJP secured 54 seats. The report also covers his visits to various religious sites, including the Jhandewalan Temple and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, reflecting the party's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' motto. Naveen’s deep connection with the youth wing and his organizational skills are cited as key reasons for his selection to lead the party into its next phase.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for seven hours in Delhi regarding a stampede at his party's event in Karur that resulted in 41 deaths. Vijay reportedly denied his party's role, stating that TVK functionaries were not responsible and that the Tamil Nadu police failed to maintain law and order. He claimed he left the venue to prevent further chaos. The CBI is corroborating his statement with video evidence as the probe unfolds during a crucial election season, with debates pointing to negligence or alleged political sabotage by the ruling DMK. Former IPS officer Sanjay Sahay noted it was a case of "atrocious" crowd management. The report also highlights another political controversy involving MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who revived the divisive 'hatao lungi, bajao pungi' slogan against Tamilians ahead of Mumbai's BMC elections.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for seven hours in Delhi regarding a stampede at his party's event in Karur that resulted in 41 deaths.
The Lok Sabha Speaker has taken cognisance of the incident following a formal complaint filed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur.
Parliament Speaker Om Birla has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament regarding recent allegations of e-cigarette usage within the Parliament's premises. He stated, 'action will be taken in the e-cigarette route and that MPs must follow the rules of the Parliament,' indicating that a full inquiry is underway and a committee has been established to investigate the matter. This follows claims from BJP MP and minister Anurag Thakur, who highlighted alleged violations by certain Opposition MPs. CCTV footage is reportedly under review, and MPs involved will be questioned appropriately. Om Birla emphasised the need to respect the dignity and rules of the Lok Sabha, reinforcing strict adherence to both parliamentary guidelines and national law.
In this Special Report, India Today’s Akshita Anandagopal details the constitutional showdown in Tamil Nadu over the Thiruparankundram Karthikai Deepam festival. The conflict escalated after the DMK-led government defied a Madras High Court order by Justice G.R. Swaminathan to light the lamp at the ‘Deepathun’ pillar. In retaliation, the INDIA bloc has moved an impeachment motion against the judge, signed by 120 MPs. BJP MP Anurag Thakur condemned the state government, stating, ‘One state in India has become a symbol of anti-sanatan dharma.’ The programme also highlights the support for the judge from 50 former jurists who termed the motion a weaponization of the Constitution.
The big focus of this episode of India First is the war of words between the BJP and DMK over the lighting of lamp at Deepathoon.
A significant political and judicial conflict is escalating in Tamil Nadu over the Karthigai Deepam festival. This report details the impeachment motion moved by the DMK-led INDIA bloc against Madras High Court Judge, Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The motion, signed by 120 MPs, was initiated after the judge's order to light the ceremonial Deepam at the ‘Deepathoon’ on Thiruparankundram hill, a directive the state government opposed, citing law and order concerns. The DMK defends the impeachment, with spokesperson A. Saravanan claiming the order contradicts a prior division bench judgment. In contrast, the BJP accuses the DMK of an "anti-Sanatan mindset" and "appeasement politics." The legal community has responded, with 56 former judges, including Justice S.N. Dhingra, signing a letter supporting Justice Swaminathan and condemning the impeachment as an unprecedented move against a judge for an unfavorable judgment.
In this Special Report, the panel debates the DMK's move to impeach Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan over the Thiruparankundram Deepam order. DMK Spokesperson A. Saravanan defends the state's refusal to implement the order, stating, 'Irony jumped from the cliff... when Anurag Thakur... is speaking about protecting religion.' BJP National Spokesperson Rohan Gupta counters, accusing the DMK of 'appeasement politics' and defying the judiciary. Supreme Court Advocate K.V. Dhananjay and Senior Journalist Shekhar Iyer analyze the legal implications.
In this episode of Super 6, we track the escalating Madurai Deepam controversy that has now reached Parliament.
Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has demanded an urgent discussion on the air pollution crisis, labelling it a "public health emergency".
In this special report, India Today correspondent Anagha Keshav details the escalating political showdown in Tamil Nadu over the Madurai Deepam controversy. The ruling DMK has moved an impeachment motion against Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan, accusing him of bias after he ordered the lighting of a lamp on the 'Deepathoon' pillar at Thiruparankundram. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the move, with leaders calling the DMK 'anti-Hindu' and a symbol of 'anti-Sanatana Dharma'. The report also highlights a statement from over 50 former judges and senior jurists who have termed the impeachment motion a 'weaponization of a constitutional process' aimed at intimidating the judiciary. Anagha Keshav explains the DMK's legal stance, questioning the historical validity of the Deepathoon tradition near the Dargah.
The Parliament's Winter Session addresses India's severe air pollution crisis, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi describing it as a 'national health emergency' and calling for a bipartisan solution. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the government is prepared for a debate on the issue. Concurrently, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the government rejects 'unofficial' global air quality rankings, emphasizing India's own standards. In civil aviation, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu discussed airfare regulation and the success of the UDAN scheme in democratizing air travel. Adding to this, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol announced a 10-year extension for the UDAN scheme, with a goal of adding 120 new destinations. The session also featured controversy as TMC MP Sougata Roy was criticized by Union Ministers for smoking on the Parliament premises.
In a fresh controversy during the Winter Session, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy was caught smoking inside the Parliament premises. The senior leader was seen smoking outside the Makar Dwar, prompting a confrontation with Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Giriraj Singh. Despite the confrontation, Roy remained defiant, arguing that he could smoke in public spaces and accusing the BJP of failing to control Delhi's air pollution. The incident follows a formal complaint lodged by BJP MP Anurag Thakur with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the alleged use of an e-cigarette by a TMC member inside the House. This report details the dramatic exchange and the questions raised about parliamentary decorum.
