Dhananjay (politician)
Dhananjay | |
|---|---|
| President of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union | |
| In office 2023–2024 | |
| Preceded by | Aishe Ghosh |
| Succeeded by | Nitish Kumar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation |
| Education | B.A. – DU (2017) M.A. – JNU (2020) M.Phil. – JNU (2022) Ph.D. – JNU (pursuing) |
| Alma mater | Jawaharlal Nehru University |
Dhananjay is an Indian politician and student activist associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation. He served as president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) for the 2023–24 term, becoming the first Dalit student in nearly three decades to hold the position.[1] In 2025, he entered electoral politics and contested the Bihar Legislative Assembly election from the Bhorey constituency in Gopalganj district as a candidate of the CPI(ML) Liberation.[2]
Early life and education
Dhananjay hails from Bara village in the Guraru block of Gaya district, Bihar.[3] According to his election affidavit, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi in 2017. He subsequently obtained a Master of Arts in 2020 and an M.Phil. in 2022 from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where he is pursuing a Ph.D.[3]
Student politics
At JNU, Dhananjay became active with the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the student wing of the CPI(ML) Liberation. He was elected president of the JNUSU in the 2023–24 election on the AISA-backed panel.[1] His victory was regarded as a significant moment for campus politics, marking the return of a Dalit student leader to the post after nearly thirty years. During his tenure, the students’ union addressed issues related to campus safety, scholarships, and student participation in university governance.
Political career
After completing his term at JNU, Dhananjay joined active politics with the CPI(ML) Liberation. The party nominated him to contest the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election from the Bhorey constituency, a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes.[2][1] His candidature reflected the party’s effort to promote youth and Dalit participation in Bihar’s political landscape.
See also
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union
- Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation
- All India Students’ Association
- Aishe Ghosh
References
- ^ a b c "Who is Dhananjay, JNU student union's first Dalit president after 30 years". The Economic Times. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Former JNU students union president Dhananjay to contest Bihar Assembly election". The Indian Express. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Affidavit of Dhananjay – Bhorey constituency". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 8 November 2025.