Thawar Chand Gehlot is a recognized Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who presently serves as the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment in the Cabinet of the 15th Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in 16th Lok Sabha. He is the representative of Shajapur constituency of Madhya Pradesh. He also represents the under-privileged section of the society in the Union Cabinet. In addition to this, he is also designated as the National General Secretary and Central Observer for polls for the Indian political party Bharatiya Janata Party.
Early Life of Thawar Chand Gehlot
Thawar Chand Gehlot was born on 18th May 1948 in the Rupeta village, situated in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. His father was Shri Ramlalji Gehlot. Thawar Chand Gehlot has completed his graduation from Vikram University in Ujjain.
Political Career of Thawar Chand Gehlot
Hailing from the Dalit community, Thawar Chand Gehlot began his political career as a student. Later he became a member of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly for three terms. He has also served as the Member of Parliament, representing Dewas constituency since the year 1996 to 2009. He has been the member of 11th Loka Sabha, 12th Lok Sabha nd 14th Lok Sabha. However in the year 2009 he got defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. In the year 2013 he became the member of the Rajya Sabha. He also possesses literary interest and has authored articles for Vidhayani which is a quarterly published by Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He has also worked for the poor, oppressed, exploited and downtrodden classes of the society through Balai Samaj. Through various social as well as political organizations, he has contributed much in the eradication of social evils and conservatism prevailing in the Indian society.
Personal Life of Thawar Chand Gehlot
Thawar Chand Gehlot is married to Smt. Anita Gehlot since May 1965. The couple has three sons and a daughter.
Positions Held by Thawar Chand Gehlot
| Year | Positions Held |
| 1977-80 | General-Secretary and Vice-President, Janata Party (J.P.), Distt. Ujjain (Rural), Madhya Pradesh |
| 1980-84, 1990-92 and 1993-96 | Member, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly (three terms) |
| 1980-84 and 1990-92 | Member, Estimates Committee; Member, Labour Advisory Committee |
| 1984-86 | Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (B.J.Y.M.),Madhya Pradesh |
| 1985-86 | Vice-President, B.J.Y.M., Madhya Pradesh |
| 1986-87 | President, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.), Distt. Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh |
| 1990-92 | Minister of State, Water Resources, Narmada Valley Development, Panchayat and Rural Development, Antyodaya Programme and Implementation of 20-Point Programme, Madhya Pradesh |
| 1996 | Elected to 11th Lok Sabha |
| 1996-97 | Member, Committee on Agriculture; Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Labour |
| 1998 | Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (2nd term) |
| 1998-99 | Member, Committee on Labour and Welfare; Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Industry |
