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Ashwani Kumar
Ashwani Kumar Minister (cropped).jpg
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
2002–2016
Constituency Punjab
Minister of Law and Justice
In office
28 October 2012 – 10 May 2013
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Preceded by Salman Khurshid
Succeeded by Kapil Sibal
Additional Solicitor General of India
In office
1991–1991
Personal details
Born (1952-10-26) 26 October 1952 (age 72)
Delhi, India
Political party Indian National Congress
(till February 2022)
Spouse Madhu Kumar (1975–2012)
Children 2
Alma mater Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, St. Stephen's College, Delhi,
Panjab University, Chandigarh
Profession Lawyer, Politician
Website Official website: http://ashwanikumar.info/

Ashwani Kumar (born 26 October 1952) is an Indian politician and lawyer. He used to be a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Punjab. He also served as the Union Minister of Law and Justice. Before that, he was a Union Minister of State in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In 1991, when he was 37 years old, he became one of India's youngest Additional Solicitors General. This is a senior legal position. He was also a spokesperson for the Indian National Congress party. As a lawyer, he worked on important cases in the Supreme Court of India. This included the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha (one of India's two houses of Parliament) since 2002.

He left the Indian National Congress party on 15 February 2022.

Early Life and Education

Ashwani Kumar was born in Delhi on 26 October 1952. He went to St. Stephen's College, Delhi. After that, he studied law. He earned his law degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He also got a Master of Philosophy degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

In 2004, Panjab University gave him an honorary doctorate in law. This means they recognized his achievements in law.

Career Highlights

Ashwani Kumar has held many important roles. He was the Additional Solicitor General of India. He also worked as a counsel (a type of lawyer) with a law firm in London. He often speaks up for human rights issues.

Ministerial Roles

Ashwani Kumar was the Minister of Law and Justice from October 2012 to May 2013. Before that, he was a Minister of State in several ministries. These included the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He also served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

Manmohan Singh at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Bar Council of India, in New Delhi. The Union Minister for Law & Justice, Dr. Ashwani Kumar and the Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice Altamas Kabir are also seen
Ashwani Kumar with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013.

Special Envoy to Japan

In 2013, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chose Ashwani Kumar for a special role. He was appointed as a Special Envoy to Japan. His job was to keep strong relations between India and Japan. He also helped prepare for the visit of Japan's Emperor and Empress to India.

The Minister of State for Industry, Dr. Ashwani Kumar meeting with the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo on February 18, 2008
Ashwani Kumar meeting with former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in 2008.

Academic and Writing Work

Ashwani Kumar has also been involved in academics. In 2011, he was a main speaker at a Science and Technology Forum meeting in Japan. He has also given talks at famous universities like Harvard University and MIT.

He has written many articles about law, economic changes, and democracy. In 2003, he wrote a book called Law, Ideas and Ideology in Politics; Perspectives of an Activist. His second book, Hope in a Challenged Democracy - an Indian Narrative, was published in 2017.

Key Positions and Committees

Ashwani Kumar has been a member of several important committees in Parliament. In 2009, he joined the Standing Committee of Parliament on External Affairs. He also led the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha for a bill about preventing torture.

Pranab Mukherjee receiving a copy of the book of Justice Bhagwati's Memoirs “My Tryst with Justice”, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. The Union Minister for External Affairs, Shri Salman Khursheed
Ashwani Kumar with the President of India in 2012.

He was a member of committees on Defense and Public Accounts. In 2014, he joined the Co-ordination Committee of his party in Rajya Sabha. He also chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests. In 2015, he was nominated to the General Purposes Committee of Rajya Sabha.

He was also part of India's delegation for important talks with the US and Japan. In 2003, he helped start the Indo-French Parliamentary Friendship Group.

International Representation

In 2013, Ashwani Kumar was chosen to represent India at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City. He gave a speech there. He also represented India at the World Economic Forum's meeting in China in 2011.

Personal Life

Ashwani Kumar married Madhu on 30 November 1975. They have a son and a daughter.

Honours

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ashwani Kumar (político) para niños

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