Ram Vilas Paswan, Politician
Politician

Ram Vilas Paswan

Born 5 July 1946 · Bihar — Died 8 October 2020

Serving as Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in Modi's first two ministries.

Ram Vilas Paswan was an Indian politician from Bihar and the Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the first and second Modi ministries. Paswan was also the president of the Lok Janshakti Party, nine-times Lok Sabha member and two-time Rajya Sabha MP. He started his political career as a member of Samyukta Socialist Party and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. Paswan joined Lok Dal upon its formation in 1974, and became its general secretary.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Paswan won the 1977 Lok Sabha election from Hajipur with 89.3% of votes, setting an all-time record for vote percentage in a general election in India.

The Story

1
In 1969, Ram Vilas Paswan was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly from Alauli while simultaneously being selected as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, choosing politics over a police career.
2
🌟 During the Emergency in 1975, he was arrested and jailed for nearly two years, standing with leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan in opposing Indira Gandhi's rule.
3In 1977, Paswan won the Lok Sabha seat from Hajipur with an unprecedented 424,000 vote margin and 89.3% vote share, a record for a general election in India at the time.
4In 1983, he founded the Dalit Sena, aiming to advance Dalit emancipation, which was later led by his brother Ram Chandra Paswan.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2021
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Paswan was selected as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in 1969 but chose to pursue politics instead, a decision that defined his lifelong public career.

🖼️

Through the Years

8 photographs from the archives
Ram Vilas Paswan receiving a dividend cheque from Kudremukh Iron Ore Company in New Delhi (2004).
Ram Vilas Paswan receiving a dividend cheque from Kudremukh Iron Ore Company in New Delhi (2004).
2004
Ram Vilas Paswan meeting an Akali Dal delegation in New Delhi as Union Minister (2005).
Ram Vilas Paswan receiving Nepal’s People’s Rights Forum delegation in New Delhi (2005).
Ram Vilas Paswan attending National Seminar on Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in New Delhi (2016).
Ram Vilas Paswan meeting Indian Economic Service trainees in New Delhi (2017).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Shaharbanni, Bihar
Ram Vilas Paswan was born into a Dusadh family in Khagaria district, Bihar.
1946
⚡
Career
Elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly
At 23, elected from Alauli constituency as Samyukta Socialist Party member.
1969
⚡
Career
Arrested during Emergency
Detained for nearly two years opposing Indira Gandhi’s Emergency rule.
1975
⚡
Career
First Lok Sabha win with record votes
Elected from Hajipur with 89.3% vote share and 424,000 vote margin.
1977
⚡
Career
Founded Dalit Sena organization
Created organization for Dalit emancipation and welfare.
1983
⚡
Career
Pushed Mandal Commission implementation
As Welfare Minister, advocated reservation policies for OBCs in V.P. Singh government.
1990
⚡
Career
Founded Lok Janshakti Party
Established LJP and became its president, a key regional party in Bihar.
2000
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Delhi
Died at age 74 after a long political career spanning over five decades.
2020
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In the 1977 Lok Sabha election, Paswan secured a margin of 424,000 votes and 89.3% vote share, one of the highest ever recorded in Indian general elections.

02 / 06
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He spent the entire Emergency period (1975-1977) imprisoned due to his opposition to the authoritarian rule imposed by Indira Gandhi.

03 / 06
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Paswan founded the Dalit Sena in 1983 to mobilize Dalit communities politically and socially, a movement later led by his brother.

No quote recorded for Ram Vilas Paswan yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
#DHPoliticalTheatre | In conversation with Ram Vilas Paswan
More from this archive
#DHPoliticalTheatre | In conversation with Ram Vilas Paswan
01
#DHPoliticalTheatre | In conversation with Ram Vilas Paswan
Aap Ki Adalat - Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag Paswan, Part 2
02
Aap Ki Adalat - Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag Paswan, Part 2
क्या #ramvilaspaswan मुस्लिम वोटबैंक की राजनीति करते थे ? | #aapkiadalat #rajatsharma #indiatv
03
क्या #ramvilaspaswan मुस्लिम वोटबैंक की राजनीति करते थे ? | #aapkiadalat #rajatsharma #indiatv
Ram Vilas Paswan: Much More to Him Than ‘Weathercock’ Label| The Quint
04
Ram Vilas Paswan: Much More to Him Than ‘Weathercock’ Label| The Quint
Sanatan Dharma Row के बीच सुनिए Ram Vilas Paswan ने Parliament Speech में Hindu शब्द पर क्या कहा था
05
Sanatan Dharma Row के बीच सुनिए Ram Vilas Paswan ने Parliament Speech में Hindu शब्द पर क्या कहा था
Ram Vilas Paswan In Aap Ki Adalat: लालू यादव के बारे में क्या बोले राम विलास पासवान ?| Rajat Sharma
06
Ram Vilas Paswan In Aap Ki Adalat: लालू यादव के बारे में क्या बोले राम विलास पासवान ?| Rajat Sharma
Union Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan Reveals About Govt Plan To Fix Portion Size For Dishes
07
Union Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan Reveals About Govt Plan To Fix Portion Size For Dishes
Ram Vilas Paswan | Politician | Elections 1991
08
Ram Vilas Paswan | Politician | Elections 1991
Ram Vilas Paswan focuses on Dalit vote bank
09
Ram Vilas Paswan focuses on Dalit vote bank
Sources: Ram Vilas Paswan to be questioned by CBI?
10
Sources: Ram Vilas Paswan to be questioned by CBI?

🌱 What changed because of them

Ram Vilas Paswan’s persistent push for social justice helped institutionalize reservation policies for Dalits and OBCs, notably through the Mandal Commission’s implementation. His political maneuvering kept Dalit voices relevant in national politics for decades, influencing policies around consumer affairs and public distribution. The Lok Janshakti Party became a lasting political platform for marginalized communities in Bihar and beyond.

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