Kiren Rijiju: From modest beginnings to landing another cabinet berth

Itanagar: The political career of Kiren Rijiju, who was inducted into the Union cabinet on Sunday, is a riveting story of tenacity, commitment and leadership.

Born on November 19, 1971, in Nakhu Village of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju has gone a long way from modest beginnings to a prominent player in Indian politics.

His career encompasses multiple significant responsibilities that demonstrate his persistent dedication to public service, as well as the advancement of his home state and the country.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Hansraj College under Delhi University, he went on to the varsity’s Faculty of Law campus to obtain his law degree (LLB).

Along with developing his academic abilities, his time in school helped him develop his physical abilities, and he still enjoys playing football and badminton in particular.

Rijiju first entered politics in 2004 and won a seat in the 14th Lok Sabha, representing the Arunachal West constituency. During his term, he showed a strong attention to the interests of his citizens and a commitment to enhancing government and infrastructure.

His perseverance was evident when he joined the Congress and acted as an advisor to former chief minister Dorjee Khandu, despite a setback in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

With his comeback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rijiju's career entered a new phase.

Re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014, he profited from the strategic northeast focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emerged as a key player in the 'Look East' policy. His role as an important representative for Arunachal Pradesh was further cemented by his re-election in 2019.

Rijiju has held a number of important government roles during his career. In his capacity as the state minister for Home Affairs from 2014 to 2019, he played a pivotal role in tackling domestic security issues and advocating for development projects in the northeast.

His subsequent appointments to the positions of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Minister of State (Minority Affairs) had shown his adaptability and dedication to a variety of responsibilities.

During his stint as Law Minister (2021–2023), Rijiju was well-known for his candid opinions about the judiciary and the collegium system, which generated a great deal of discussion and controversy.

Rijiju's appointment as the Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences in May 2023 emphasised his significance in the central government. It was indicative of the confidence placed in him to supervise important matters of environmental science and policy, fields that are essential to India's sustainable growth.