Dilip Singh Judeo
Dilip Singh Judeo (8 March 1949 – 14 August 2013) was an Indian politician and former Minister of State for Environment and Forests in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government[1].[2] He hailed from the erstwhile royal family of Jashpur, and remains a popular political leader among the tribals of central India.
Dilip Singh Judeo | |
|---|---|
| Union Minister of State of Environment and Forests | |
| In office 29 January 2003 – 17 November 2003 | |
| Prime Minister | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 22 May 2009 – 14 August 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Punnulal Mohle |
| Succeeded by | Lakhan Lal Sahu |
| Constituency | Bilaspur |
| In office 1989–1991 | |
| Preceded by | Prabhat Kumar Mishra |
| Succeeded by | Bhawani Lal Verma |
| Constituency | Janjgir |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 1 November 2000 – 22 May 2009 | |
| Succeeded by | Nand Kumar Sai |
| Constituency | Chhattisgarh |
| In office 30 June 1992 – 31 October 2000 | |
| Constituency | Madhya Pradesh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 March 1949 Jashpur, Central Provinces and Berar, British India (now in Chhattisgarh, India) |
| Died | 14 August 2013 (aged 64) Gurgaon, Haryana, India |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse(s) | Madhvi Devi |
| Children | Satrunjay Singh Prabal Pratap Singh Judev Yudhvir Singh Judev |
| Residence | Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, India Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Alma mater | Rajkumar College, Raipur St. Xavier's College, Ranchi Chotanagpur Law College |
Career
Judeo was most famous for his nationalistic work and service to Hindu causes. He was responsible for organizing the popular and successful gharvapsi ("homecoming") campaign through which he encouraged and reintroduced thousands of Hindu tribals who had converted to Christianity (under influence of missionaries, often in return for monetary incentives) back into Hinduism.
In November 2003 he was accused of accepting a bribe for mining rights in Chhattisgarh. The accusation was made by The Sunday Express newspaper, which had received a video of the bribe taking place.[3] However, Judeo rejected the allegations, blaming Christian missionaries and the rival Congress party, especially Ajit Jogi of setting up the trap to frame him for corruption.[4] Judeo resigned from his ministerial position on 17 November 2003.[5]
In 2005, the Central Bureau of Investigation told the Indian Supreme Court that the bribe exposé was planned by Amit Jogi, the son of the then Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi, as a means to derive political mileage in favour of Ajit Jogi in upcoming elections.
Judeo led the BJP to victory in the 2003 Vidhan Sabha Elections and refrained from taking the Chair of Chief Minister of the state despite a wide campaign for the same from the Tribals of Chhattisgarh.
He was Member of Parliament from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.[2]
Death and Reaction
On 15 August 2013, he died because of kidney and lung infection.
Rajnath Singh said "I am deeply saddened by the news of Shri Dilip Singh Judeo's sudden demise." Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt, and chief minister Raman Singh also lamented.[6]
References
- "Members : Lok Sabha". loksabhaph.nic.in. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- Lok Sabha profile Dilip Sigh Judeo Archived 1 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- Jain, Sonu (2003). "Caught on tape: Union Minister taking cash, saying money is no less than God". The Sunday Express. Retrieved 25 April 2006.
- "Ajit Jogi, Christian missionaries conspired to defame me: Dilip Singh Judeo". rediff.com: Elections 2003. 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2006.
- "Judeo video: Didi relieved at resignation". The Indian Express. 2003. Retrieved 25 April 2006.
- BJP leader Dilip Singh Judeo dead 15 August 2013