->Rsjaffe at 21:28, 9 January 2022

2022-01-09T21:28:39Z

New page

{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{for|other similarly named people|Ananth Kumar (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Anantkumar Hegde
| image = Anant Kumar Hegde.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|5|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]], [[Uttara Kannada]], [[Karnataka]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office = Minister of State for Skill Development Entrepreneurship
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term_start = 3 September 2017
| term_end = 24 May 2019
| predecessor = [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]]
| constituency = [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]]
| office1 = [[Member of Indian Parliament]]
| constituency1 = [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]]
| predecessor1 = [[Margaret Alva]]
| term_start1 = 2004
| term2 = 1996–1999
| constituency2 = [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]]
| predecessor2 = [[G. Devaraya Naik]]
| successor2 = [[Margaret Alva]]
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse =
| children = 2
| parents =
| website = [http://anantkumarhegde.com anantkumarhegde.com]
| footnotes =
| date = 23 September
| year = 2006
| source = https://web.archive.org/web/20071007102139/http://164.100.24.208/ls/lsmember/biodata.asp?mpsno=3688
}}

'''Anantkumar Hegde'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anantkumar Hegde - Profile|url=https://anantkumarhegde.com/site/profile|access-date=2021-06-11|website=anantkumarhegde.com}}</ref> (born 20 May 1968) is an Indian politician, the former [[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship|Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]] and the incumbent [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] for [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]] constituency. Hegde, a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), is known for his controversial remarks against radical Islamists. Hegde is a [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] and member of the right-wing [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS).<ref name=indianexpress>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-anant-kumar-hegde-4826135/|title=Who is Anant Kumar Hegde?|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=3 September 2017|access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Who is Anant Kumar Hegde?|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-anant-kumar-hegde-4826135/|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=17 December 2017|date=3 September 2017}}</ref>

==Early life==
Hegde was born to Lalita and Dattatreya Hegde in [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]] of [[Uttara Kannada]] district on 20 May 1968. He graduated from MM Arts & Science College in Sirsi. During college days he was member of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] and later an ABVP activist.<ref name=indianexpress/><ref>{{cite web|title=About Anantkumar Hegde|url=http://anantkumarhegde.com/about/|access-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210232624/http://anantkumarhegde.com/about/|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1998, Anant Kumar married Shrirupa Hegde and they have two children, a daughter and a son.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi likely to drop two ministers, induct Lingayat and ST leaders from Karnataka in December|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/pm-modi-likely-to-drop-two-ministers-induct-lingayat-and-st-leaders-from-karnataka-in-december/articleshow/60356253.cms|access-date=3 February 2018|work=The Times of India|date=3 September 2017}}</ref>

== Career ==
Six-time Lok Sabha member as of 2020, Hegde was first elected to the 11th [[Lok Sabha]] in 1996 from Uttar Kanara seat, then re-elected in 1998. He narrowly lost in the next election in 1999 to Margaret Alva of Congress. Since then, he has been re-elected four consecutive times from [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)]] from 2004 to 2009 Lok Sabha to 2019–2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.skilldevelopment.gov.in/assets/images/mos/Shri%20Anant%20Kumar%20Hegde.pdf|title=Shri Anant Kumar Hegde|website=Skill Development portal, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506103856/http://www.skilldevelopment.gov.in/assets/images/mos/Shri%20Anant%20Kumar%20Hegde.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3688|title=Hegde,Shri Anant Kumar Dattatreya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101020140/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3688|access-date=19 September 2020|archive-date=1 January 2012}}</ref>

He was appointed the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in [[First Modi ministry|Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet]] since September 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cabinet-reshuffle-karnataka-lawmaker-and-taekwondo-expert-ananthkumar-hegde-becomes-minister-of-stat-1745491|title=Karnataka Lawmaker And Taekwondo Expert Ananthkumar Hegde Becomes Minister Of State|work=NDTV.com|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref>

== Social Activities ==
Hegde founded Kadamba group of organisations which works in the fields of multi-dimensional socioeconomic activities for the downtrodden, weaker and the vulnerable section of the society, particularly in the rural areas.<ref name=":0" />

==Controversies==
In January 2017, he was caught on camera assaulting and hitting a doctor for the alleged mistreatment of his mother at a hospital.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-minister-ananthkumar-hegde-in-shadow-of-old-controversy-he-assaulted-doctors-on-camera-1745401 |title=New Minister Slapped Doctor On Camera. He Knows Tae Kwon Do |date=3 September 2017 |work=NDTV.com |access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, speaking at a job fair and skill exhibition, he said that he will go ahead with his commitment of developing skills in the youth of India and not bother about the barking stray dogs, referring to groups protesting his earlier "change constitution" remark.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anantkumar Hegde's 'barking dogs' remark angers Dalits|url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/anantkumar-hegdes-barking-dogs-remark-angers-dalits/article22483167.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2 April 2018|date = 20 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Prakash Raj calls Anantkumar Hegde 'barking dog' remark attack on Dalits, minister denies|url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/prakash-raj-calls-anantkumar-hegde-barking-dog-remark-attack-on-dalits-minister-denies-5034032/|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=2 April 2018|date = 22 January 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, he criticised the word ''secular'' and said that BJP government would "amend the Constitution" to remove the word from the Preamble.<ref>{{cite news |title=List of BJP leaders who made controversial remarks - Anant Kumar Hegde's controversial comments on secularism |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/list-of-bjp-leaders-who-made-controversial-remarks/anant-kumar-hegdes-controversial-comments-on-secularism/slideshow/62336538.cms |access-date=18 December 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

He has claimed that [[Taj Mahal]] was originally a [[Shiva|Shiv]] [[Hindu temple|Mandir]] known as Tejo Mahalaya. After [[Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee|KPCC]] president [[Dinesh Gundu Rao]] questioned him over his achievements as a Union Minister, Hegde referred to Rao as "a guy who ran behind a [[Muslims|Muslim]] lady".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/guy-ran-behind-muslim-lady-anant-hegde-karnataka-congress-chief-1440655-2019-01-28|title=Guy who ran behind Muslim lady: Modi mantri Anant Kumar Hegde on Karnataka Congress chief}}</ref>

In January 2019, he made a misogynistic comment against women entering the Sabarimala temple, which does not admit women, as a "daylight rape on Hindus".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chauhan|first=Chanchal|date=2 January 2019|title=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anant-hegde-sabarimala-row-daylight-rape-of-hindus-1422208-2019-01-02|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref>

In March 2019, he triggered controversy by calling the Congress president, [[Rahul Gandhi]], a “hybrid product that can be found only in Congress laboratory”. He said Gandhi claims to be a [[Brahmin]] “despite being born to a [[Muslims|Muslim]] father and a [[Christians|Christian]] mother”.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pereira |first1=Stacy |title=Anant Kumar Hegde's New Shocker Has 'Hybrid Specimen' Slight Aimed at Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/anant-kumar-hegdes-new-shocker-has-hybrid-specimen-slight-aimed-at-rahul-gandhi-2019791.html |access-date=11 June 2019 |work=News18 |date=30 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Express News Service |title=After 'Hindu girl' row, Ananth Kumar Hegde's 'hybrid breed' attack on Rahul Gandhi |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/jan/30/after-hindu-girl-row-ananth-kumar-hegdes-hybrid-breed-attack-on-rahul-gandhi-1932104.html |access-date=11 June 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=30 January 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, he once again triggered a controversy by calling the former [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer [[Sasikanth Senthil|S. Sasikanth Senthil]] a traitor and asking him to go to [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/traitor-tag-on-dejected-ias-officer/cid/1704005|title='Traitor' tag on dejected IAS officer|website=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|language=en|access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/sep/10/go-to-pakistan-and-fight-indian-govt-former-union-minister-ananthkumar-hegde-slams-former-ias-officer-sasikanth-senthi-2031509.html|title=Go to Pakistan and fight Indian govt, former union minister Ananthkumar Hegde slams former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthi|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref>

In February 2020, Hegde triggered another controversy by stating that the freedom fight led by [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was a drama. He attacked Gandhi by questioning how such a person be called a 'Mahatma'. He again stated that the freedom movement in India was staged with the consent and support of the British.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-s-anantkumar-hegde-calls-mahatma-gandhi-s-freedom-struggle-a-drama-1642695-2020-02-03|title=BJP's Anantkumar Hegde calls Mahatma Gandhi's freedom struggle a 'drama'|date=3 February 2020|last=ANI|work=India Today|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/bjp-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-calls-mahatma-gandhis-freedom-struggle-a-drama|title=BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde calls Mahatma Gandhi's freedom struggle a 'drama'|date=3 February 2020|work=National Herald|language=en|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/bjp-mp-anantkumar-hegde-attacks-mahatma-gandhi-says-independence-movement-staged-with-british-support-2482735.html|title=Waiting for PM Modi's Comment, Says Congress After BJP MP Terms Gandhi's Freedom Struggle a 'Drama'|last=D P Satish|date=3 February 2020|work=News18|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dbpost.com/karnataka-bjp-leader-anant-kumar-hegde-calls-gandhis-freedom-struggle-a-drama-says-how-such-people-are-called-mahatma/|title=Karnataka/ BJP leader Anant Kumar Hegde calls Gandhi's freedom struggle a drama, says: 'How such people are called Mahatma'|date=3 February 2020|work=DBPOST|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120101020140/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/Members/Biography.aspx?mpsno=3688 Members of Fifteenth Lok Sabha – Parliament of India website]
*{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-24/hubli/28059859_1_anniversary-celebrations-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-anita-bose|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064417/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-24/hubli/28059859_1_anniversary-celebrations-netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-anita-bose|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|title=MP Hegde plans to call Anita Bose on Netaji's birth anniversary|date=24 September 2009|work=[[The Times of India]]}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|in-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=[[G. Devaraya Naik]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]]|years=1996–1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Margaret Alva]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Margaret Alva]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Uttara Kannada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Uttara Kannada]]|years=2004 – Present}}
{{s-inc}}
|-
{{s-end}}

{{15th LS members from Karnataka}}
{{16th LS members from Karnataka|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hegde, Anantkumar}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:14th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:People from Uttara Kannada]]
[[Category:11th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:15th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:12th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Karnataka]]
[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Karnataka]]
[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]

Anantkumar Hegde - Revision history

->Rsjaffe at 21:28, 9 January 2022