Sumitra Mahajan, Politician
Politician

Sumitra Mahajan

Born 12 April 1943 · Madhya Pradesh

Longest-serving woman MP representing Indore and Speaker of Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019.

Sumitra "Tai" Mahajan is an Indian politician who was the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament from 2014 to 2019. She belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party. She represented the Indore constituency of Madhya Pradesh from 1989 to 2019 as the longest serving Woman Member of Parliament.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Sumitra Mahajan’s biography of Ahilyabai Holkar, 'Matoshree', was personally unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, connecting her political career with historical legacy.

The Story

1
In 1989, Sumitra Mahajan won the Lok Sabha seat from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, defeating former Chief Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi, marking the start of a parliamentary tenure spanning three decades.
2
🌟 Between 1999 and 2004, she served as Union Minister of State, overseeing portfolios including Human Resource Development and Petroleum and Natural Gas during the Vajpayee government.
3From 2004 to 2014, she chaired key parliamentary committees on Social Justice and Rural Development, influencing policy discussions on marginalized communities and grassroots empowerment.
4In June 2014, Mahajan became the second woman ever elected Speaker of the Lok Sabha, presiding over the 16th Lok Sabha with notable actions like suspending 25 Congress MPs in 2015 for disruption.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2021
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Sumitra Mahajan defeated former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, launching a career that spanned eight consecutive terms representing Indore.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Sumitra Mahajan unveiled the plaque for the Linear Accelerator Sidharth-3 in Indore (2014).
Sumitra Mahajan unveiled the plaque for the Linear Accelerator Sidharth-3 in Indore (2014).
2014
Sumitra Mahajan received the Bhutan parliamentary delegation led by Jigme Zangpo in New Delhi (2015).
Sumitra Mahajan met the Mexican parliamentary delegation led by Guadalupe Murguia Gutierrez in New Delhi (2017).
Sumitra Mahajan received the South Korean parliamentary delegation led by Chung Sye Kyun in New Delhi (2018).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Chiplun, Maharashtra
Sumitra Mahajan was born in a Chitpavan Brahmin family in Chiplun, Maharashtra, setting the stage for her future political journey.
1943
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Career
Elected corporator in Indore
Sumitra Mahajan began her political career as a corporator in Indore Municipal Corporation, entering grassroots politics.
1982
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Career
Became Deputy Mayor of Indore
She was elected Deputy Mayor of Indore Municipal Corporation, expanding her influence in local governance.
1984
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Career
Won Indore Lok Sabha seat
Mahajan defeated former Chief Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi to become MP from Indore, beginning a record-long parliamentary career.
1989
⚡
Career
Appointed Union Minister of State
She served as Union Minister of State with portfolios including Human Resource Development and Petroleum between 1999-2004.
1999
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Career
Elected Speaker of Lok Sabha
Mahajan was unanimously elected Speaker, becoming the second woman to hold the position and leading the 16th Lok Sabha.
2014
📖
Publication
Unveiled book on Ahilyabai Holkar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled her biography 'Matoshree', spotlighting the 18th-century queen's legacy.
2017
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Sumitra Mahajan received the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, recognizing her public service.
2021
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2015, as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mahajan suspended 25 Congress MPs for five days due to indiscipline, an assertive move rarely seen in recent parliamentary history.

02 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Born in 1943 in Chiplun, Maharashtra, Mahajan moved to Indore for higher studies, earning an MA and LLB from Indore University, before starting her political career locally in 1982.

03 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Sumitra Mahajan’s son, Milind Mahajan, was a director at Maharashtra Brahmin Cooperative Bank during alleged scams between 1997-2003, triggering controversy during her ministerial tenure.

No quote recorded for Sumitra Mahajan yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sumitra Mahajan : Interview with speaker Sumitra Mahajan
More from this archive
Sumitra Mahajan : Interview with speaker Sumitra Mahajan
01
Sumitra Mahajan : Interview with speaker Sumitra Mahajan
Sumitra Mahajan Lashes Out Over Washouts At Lok Sabha
02
Sumitra Mahajan Lashes Out Over Washouts At Lok Sabha
Sumitra Mahajan Calls For An All Party Meeting
03
Sumitra Mahajan Calls For An All Party Meeting
Special Focus On Sumithra Mahajan -Mahaanews
04
Special Focus On Sumithra Mahajan -Mahaanews
Sumithra Mahajan Elected As Lok Sabha Speaker -Mahaanews
05
Sumithra Mahajan Elected As Lok Sabha Speaker -Mahaanews
“Rethink” on caste-based reservations in the country : Sumitra Mahajan, Lok Sabha Spea
06
“Rethink” on caste-based reservations in the country : Sumitra Mahajan, Lok Sabha Spea
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Suspends 4 MPs | Parliament Winter Session | NTV
07
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Suspends 4 MPs | Parliament Winter Session | NTV
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Criticises Rahul Gandhi's Behaviour In Lok Sabha || Sakshi TV
08
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Criticises Rahul Gandhi's Behaviour In Lok Sabha || Sakshi TV
PM Modi and Lok Sabha Chair person Sumitra Mahajan in Lok Sabha LIVE | #DBLIVE
09
PM Modi and Lok Sabha Chair person Sumitra Mahajan in Lok Sabha LIVE | #DBLIVE
Sumitra Mahajan Won't Contest Lok Sabha Elections, Says Have Freed Party To Make Its Choice |ABPNews
10
Sumitra Mahajan Won't Contest Lok Sabha Elections, Says Have Freed Party To Make Its Choice |ABPNews

🌱 What changed because of them

Sumitra Mahajan's 30-year representation of Indore in Lok Sabha set a record for longest-serving woman MP, shaping regional and national policies through her ministerial and committee roles. As Speaker, she enforced parliamentary discipline and strengthened legislative procedures. Her advocacy for education and social justice influenced policy debates, while her literary work revived historical narratives of female leadership in India.

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