Manoj Parab
{{Short description|Indian politician and entrepreneur (born 1985)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Manoj Parab
| image = Manoj Parab in 2017 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Parab during the MWDT protest in 2017
| birth_name = Tukaram Bharat Parab
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|8|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = Pirna, Goa, India
| office1 = Party chief of Revolutionary Goans Party
| termstart1 = 1 January 2022
| predecessor1 = Office established
| successor1 =
| office2 = President of Revolutionary Goans Party
| termstart2 = July 2022
| predecessor2 = Viresh Borkar{{Cite web|url=https://rgpofficial.org/team/|title=Meet the visionary minds behind Revolutionary Goan Party|date=12 July 2023|access-date=28 November 2023|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731084257/https://rgpofficial.org/team/|url-status=live|website=RGP Official}}
| residence = Pirna, Goa, India{{Cite web|url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2021/02/09/goanews/hc-quashes-notice-issued-by-deputy-collector/|title=HC quashes notice issued by deputy collector | work=The Navhind Times|date=9 February 2021}}
| successor2 =
| party = Revolutionary Goans Party (since 2022){{efn|Parab established the NGO Revolutionary Goans on 3 March 2017, but it was not until 1 January 2022 that the organization was officially registered as a political party. Therefore, his association with it began in 2022, not 2017.}}
| otherparty = Aam Aadmi Party (2016–2017)
| alma_mater = Goa University (MSc)
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|geologist|entrepreneur|activist}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Veena Parab|2022}}
| signature = Manoj Parab signature.svg
| website = {{URL|facebook.com/ManojParabOfficial}}
| module = {{Listen
| embed = yes
| filename = Konkani-voicemanoj-parabrevolutionary-goansgowind-gawdekonkani-voice-Ringtone.ogg
| title = Manoj Parab's voice
| description = Parab talking about Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, in response to the latter's video.
Recorded 22 March 2020
}}
}}
Tukaram Bharat "Manoj" Parab (born 18 August 1985) is an Indian politician, former geologist, and activist{{Cite news |last=Kamat |first=Prakash |date=2017-12-30 |title=Opposition to Parrikar's letter grows |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/opposition-to-parrikars-letter-grows/article22336078.ece |access-date=2023-11-28 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=2023-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128124304/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/opposition-to-parrikars-letter-grows/article22336078.ece |url-status=live }} who serves as the party chief and president of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), a non-governmental organization he founded in March 2017, which received recognition as a political party from the Election Commission of India in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Finally, EC recognises RG as political party |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFfinally-ec-recognises-rg-as-political-party/78650.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608182750/https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFfinally-ec-recognises-rg-as-political-party/78650.html |url-status=live }}
Prior to forming the NGO, Parab joined the Aam Aadmi Party as a member before the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Krishna |date=2022-03-12 |title=Manoj Parab's Revolutionary Goans rides local sentiment to win third highest vote share in Goa |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/goa/manoj-parabs-revolutionary-goans-rides-local-sentiment-to-win-third-highest-vote-share-in-goa/articleshow/90175610.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-11-28 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=2022-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510100239/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/goa/manoj-parabs-revolutionary-goans-rides-local-sentiment-to-win-third-highest-vote-share-in-goa/articleshow/90175610.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} He subsequently left to form the Revolutionary Goans on 3 March 2017, along with seven founding members,{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=Politics of Revolutionary Goans Party | work=The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/03/14/opinions/opinion/politics-of-revolutionary-goans-party/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129072012/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/03/14/opinions/opinion/politics-of-revolutionary-goans-party/ |url-status=live }} including Viresh Borkar and Vishwesh Naik, whom he had met during his involvement with the Aam Aadmi Party.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-19 |title=Inspired by freedom fighter grandfather, Viresh Borkar chose revolutionary path |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/inspired-by-freedom-fighter-grandfather-viresh-borkar-chose-revolutionary-path/articleshow/90313648.cms |access-date=2023-11-28 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813124345/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/inspired-by-freedom-fighter-grandfather-viresh-borkar-chose-revolutionary-path/articleshow/90313648.cms |url-status=live }}
Early life
Manoj Parab, originally named Tukaram Bharat Parab,{{Cite web |title=Tukaram Bharat Parab(Revolutionary Goans Party):Constituency- VALPOI(NORTH GOA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://myneta.info/goa2022/candidate.php?candidate_id=176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815123607/https://myneta.info/goa2022/candidate.php?candidate_id=176 |archive-date=2022-08-15 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=myneta.info}}{{bsn|date=January 2025}} was born on 18 August 1985 in the village of Pirna, Goa.{{Cite web |title=NORTH GOA RGP LS CANDIDATE: MANOJ PARAB |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFnorth-goa-rgp-ls-candidate-manoj-parab/111628.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403004540/https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFnorth-goa-rgp-ls-candidate-manoj-parab/111628.html |url-status=live }} His father was a tabla craftsman and repairer, as well as a businessman.{{Cite news |last=Nagvenkar |first=Mayabhushan |date=18 February 2022 |title=Shifting The Goalposts: A Young Politician's Battle To Save Goa And Its Way Of Life |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/national/shifting-the-goalposts-a-young-politician-s-battle-to-save-goa-and-its-way-of-life-magazine-182813 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921200538/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/national/shifting-the-goalposts-a-young-politician-s-battle-to-save-goa-and-its-way-of-life-magazine-182813 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=Outlook}} Parab completed his early education at a Catholic school before pursuing further studies. In 2008, he completed his Master of Science degree in Geology from Goa University.{{Cite web |last=Phadke |first=Manasi |date=2022-03-18 |title=We are fire, but not 'Raj Thackeray': The Revolutionary Goans who outdid AAP, TMC in state poll |url=https://theprint.in/politics/we-are-fire-but-not-raj-thackeray-the-revolutionary-goans-who-outdid-aap-tmc-in-state-poll/876581/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329064147/https://theprint.in/politics/we-are-fire-but-not-raj-thackeray-the-revolutionary-goans-who-outdid-aap-tmc-in-state-poll/876581/ |url-status=live }}
Following his graduation, Parab joined various local mining companies such as Timblo, Salgaocrs, and Vedanta Resources. However, seeking improved remuneration, Parab decided to relocate away from Goa. Consequently, he found employment on offshore oil rigs located in Mumbai and Gujarat.
Political career
=2022 Goa Legislative Assembly election=
On 14 January 2022, the Revolutionary Goans Party officially announced Parab as their designated candidate for the position of Chief Minister in the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly election. He contested the election from two constituencies, Valpoi and Tivim.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Velanie |date=2022-01-14 |title=Manoj Parab declared RG's chief minister candidate |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/news/elections-2022/manoj-parab-declared-rgs-chief-minister-candidate |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Gomantak Times |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123014536/https://www.gomantaktimes.com/news/elections-2022/manoj-parab-declared-rgs-chief-minister-candidate |url-status=live }} While he had a significant vote share, Parab did not win in either constituency.{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/14168-goa-general-legislative-election-2022/ |title=Goa General Legislative Election 2022 |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date= 17 May 2022}}
File:Manoj Parab alongwith Reginaldo and Claude Alvares.jpg MLA Reginaldo and environmentalist Claude Alvares at 2017 MWDT protest]]
Political analyst Prakash Kamat expressed reservations about some of Parab's ideas, suggesting that they may not align with constitutional principles. For example, Kamat highlighted Parab's POGO Bill, which advocates granting exclusive rights to Goans.
=2022 Goa Village Panchayat election=
In March 2022, subsequent to the Legislative Assembly election, Parab declared the party's intention to participate in the forthcoming Goa village panchayat election, scheduled for August of the same year.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-13 |title=RG eyes 2027, aims to contest all polls in Goa |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rg-eyes-2027-aims-to-contest-all-polls-in-goa/articleshow/90176584.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502152149/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rg-eyes-2027-aims-to-contest-all-polls-in-goa/articleshow/90176584.cms |archive-date=2022-05-02 |access-date=2023-12-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web | date=2022-07-10 |title=RGP sounds the bugle for panchayat polls | work=The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/07/10/goanews/rgp-sounds-the-bugle-for-panchayat-polls/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711180006/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/07/10/goanews/rgp-sounds-the-bugle-for-panchayat-polls/ |url-status=live }} Among the 186 panchayats in Goa, Parab's party, the RGP, won in only the Azossim-Mandur panchayat within the St. Andre constituency.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-13 |title=RG struggles to make a dent in polls, saves face in Azossim-Mandur p'yat |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rg-struggles-to-make-a-dent-in-polls-saves-face-in-azossim-mandur-pyat/articleshow/93530019.cms |access-date=2023-12-03 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2022-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822153249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rg-struggles-to-make-a-dent-in-polls-saves-face-in-azossim-mandur-pyat/articleshow/93530019.cms |url-status=live }}
=2022 Goa Zilla Panchayat election=
On 3 October 2022, Parab held a press conference to announce the candidates his party was nominating for the upcoming by-elections in three Zilla Panchayat constituencies.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-04 |title=ZP bypoll: Cong, RG finalise candidates |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/zp-bypoll-cong-rg-finalise-candidates/articleshow/94628460.cms |access-date=2023-12-03 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203150946/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/zp-bypoll-cong-rg-finalise-candidates/articleshow/94628460.cms |url-status=live }} However, Parab's party was defeated in all three constituencies in which they fielded candidates.{{Cite web |title=BJP Wins Goa Zilla Panchayat Bypolls In All 3 Constituencies |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-wins-goa-zila-panchayat-bypolls-in-all-3-constituencies-3442492 |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=2023-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203151101/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-wins-goa-zila-panchayat-bypolls-in-all-3-constituencies-3442492 |url-status=live }}
=Meet with regional parties leaders=
{{Recentism|section|date=April 2025}}
In October 2022, Parab made an announcement regarding the party's approach to engaging with leaders from regional parties across the country.{{Cite web |title=IT WILL BE BJP V/S RGP IN 2027: MANOJ PARAB |url=https://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/it-will-be-bjp-vs-rgp-in-2027-manoj-parab/23613.html |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.prudentmedia.in |language=en}} During a press conference in Panaji, Parab emphasized the RGP's commitment to its ideology and expressed its intention to reintroduce the POGO Bill in the state legislative assembly. Parab also held meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray in Mumbai. Parab clarified that the RGP maintains its independence from any specific political party and positioned itself as the principal opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2027 Goa assembly polls. He further emphasized that the contest would primarily involve the RGP and the BJP. Parab remarked that the Revolutionary Goans Party has developed its own distinctive revolutionary model, differentiating itself from the approach of the Shiv Sena (SHS).{{Cite web | date=2022-10-30 |title=We are committed to bring back POGO Bill: Parab | work=The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/10/30/goanews/we-are-committed-to-bring-back-pogo-bill-parab/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110204500/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/10/30/goanews/we-are-committed-to-bring-back-pogo-bill-parab/ |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Notes
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References
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Category:Indian political activists
Category:Indian civil rights activists
Category:Indian human rights activists
Category:21st-century Indian politicians
Category:Indian anti-corruption activists