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Nand Kumar Baghel Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

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Hometown: Durg, Chhattisgarh
Wife: Bindeshwari Baghel
Age: 89 Years

Nand Kumar Baghel

Bio/Wiki
Names EarnedChhattisgarh's Periyar
Profession(s)• Politician
• Farmer
• Sociopolitical Activist
Physical Stats
Height (approx.)5' 6" (168 cm)
Eye ColourBlack
Hair ColourWhite
Politics
Political PartyIndependent
Personal Life
Date of BirthYear, 1935
Date of Death8 January 2024
Place of DeathRaipur, Chhattisgarh
Age (at the time of death)89 Years
Death CauseAge-related illness
Nationality• British Indian (1935-1947)
• Indian (1947-2024)
HometownDurg, Chhattisgarh
SchoolClass 10 from the Central School in Raipur
CasteKurmi Kshatriya (OBC)
ControversiesCalled for the end of burning of Ravan
In 2001, he wrote a book titled, 'Brahmin Kumar Ravan Ko Mat Maro' and called for stopping the tradition of burning the Ravan's effigy during Dussehra. In the book, he had also criticised Lord Ram and praised Ravan. The book was immediately banned. He was arrested for the book on 4 November 2001.

Demand for giving 85% tickets to SC-ST-OBC candidates
In 2018, he wrote a letter to the Congress leadership, demanding 85% of tickets be given to SC-ST-OBC candidates instead of Brahmins to win the Assembly elections.

Removed government billboards announcing the construction of Ram-Laxman temple
On 18 May 2020, he led a few activists to a site which was announced by the state government for the creation of Ram-Laxman temple and removed the government billboards there. He set up a board for the creation of Buddha Vihara (Buddhist Monastery) there. He also laid the foundation stone for Budhadev Ayurvedic Treatment Research Centre.
Nand Kumar Baghel after setting up the Buddha Vihara board
Arrested for calling for the boycott of Brahmins
On 7 September 2021, he was arrested from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, after he called Brahmins as foreigners and asked for a boycott against them. He was sent to judicial custody of 14 days in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Nand Kumar Baghel being arrested

Demand for euthanasia
In January 2022, he wrote a letter to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, and demanded for elections to be conducted by ballot papers for better transparency than EVM in the entire country. He further stated that if his demand is not fullfilled, then he should be granted permission to euthanasia on National Voter's Day, January 25.
Social MediaFacebook

Relationships & More
Marital StatusMarried
Family
Wife/SpouseBindeshwari Baghel (deceased in July 2019)
Nand Kumar (left) with his wife Bindeshwari Baghel, and son Bhupesh Baghel
ChildrenSon(s)-2
Bhupesh Baghel (Politician)
Bhupesh Baghel
• Hitesh Baghel
Hitesh Baghel
Daughter(s)-2
• Bharti Baghel
Other RelativesGrand Nephew- Vijay Baghel (Politician)
Vijay Baghel

Nand Kumar Baghel image

Some Lesser Known Facts About Nand Kumar Baghel

  • He came from the Kurmi community and owned over 400 acres of land in Durg, Chhattisgarh.
  • He cleared his class 10 exam with 84% marks.
  • In an interview, he talked about being awarded a book on Acharya Vinoba Bhave for winning a debate competition in school. He claimed that the book influenced him to leave academics and follow the teachings of Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
  • He contested a Lok Sabha election from Durg, Chhattisgarh as an Independent in the 1980s but lost.
  • He was very vocal against the caste system and Brahminism.
  • He was the president of Matdata Jagrukta Manch and Akhil Bharatiya Kurmi Kisan Mazdoor Mahasabha.
  • He lived separately from his son, Bhupesh Baghel, for more than 20 years because of their different ideologies.
  • In 2019, after the death of his wife, he performed the last rites of his wife according to Buddhist traditions in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, while his son, Bhupesh Baghel, performed the last rites according to Hindu traditions in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Although considered Buddhist due to his views, he stated that he hadn’t converted to Buddhism in an interview with ‘The Week’ in 2021. He further claimed that he follows the teachings and principles of Buddhism.
  • In an interview in 2021, he stated that he wanted to get his party, SOM (SC/ST, OBC and minorities) registered and field his candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
  • In 2023, Bhupesh Baghel recalled that in his first election, his father, Nand Kumar Baghel, didn’t vote for him but for another candidate of his choice.
  • Nand Kumar Baghel has claimed that he too wanted to join Congress after his son, Bhupesh joined it, but the leaders of the party such as Digvijaya Singh, Chandulal Chandrakar, and Ajit Jogi didn’t accept his views and style.
  • He wanted to republish his book, ‘Brahmin Kumar Ravan ko Mat Maro,’ from the perspective of Ravan being a tribal from the Gond community who tried to protect his cattle, whereas, earlier he had written the book from the perspective of him being a Brahmin.
  • On 21 October 2023, he was admitted to the Shri Balaji Hospital, Raipur, due to pneumonia and a blood clot in his brain. He was also suffering from a chronic disease related to the brain and spine, along with paralysis and uncontrolled diabetes.

    Nand Kumar Baghel meeting with Bhupesh Baghel in the hospital

    Nand Kumar Baghel meeting with Bhupesh Baghel in the hospital

  • On 10 January 2024, his pyre was lit by his son, Hitesh Baghel.