Students Politics to Party Politics: 11 Key Facts About Kanhaiya Kumar's Life

Kanhaiya Kumar was born on January 13, 1987, in Begusarai, Bihar, India.

He hails from a humble background; his father is a farmer, and his mother is an Anganwadi worker.

Kanhaiya Kumar completed his schooling in Bihar and went on to study at the College of Commerce, Arts & Science, Patna. He later pursued a Ph.D. in African Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

Kanhaiya gained prominence as a student leader at JNU, where he was elected president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) in 2015.

In February 2016, Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on charges of sedition after allegedly raising anti-national slogans during a student rally. His arrest sparked nationwide debates on free speech and nationalism.

His arrest and subsequent bail garnered significant media attention, with widespread support from various intellectuals, politicians, and students, while also facing criticism from some quarters.

In 2019, Kanhaiya Kumar joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) and contested the Lok Sabha election from Begusarai, Bihar. Despite a high-profile campaign, he lost to BJP's Giriraj Singh.

Kanhaiya Kumar is also an author and has written the book "Bihar to Tihar," which recounts his journey from his early life to his arrest and experiences in Tihar Jail.

In September 2021, Kanhaiya Kumar left the CPI and joined the Indian National Congress, citing the need for a broader platform to fight against divisive forces in India.

Kanhaiya Kumar advocates for issues such as social justice, secularism, and democratic rights. He remains an influential voice among the youth and continues to be active in Indian politics through his association with the Congress party.

Kanhaiya Kumar has contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from North East Delhi as a candidate from the Indian National Congress, continuing his efforts to champion issues of social justice, secularism, and democratic rights at a national level.