Ravi Shankar Prasad

He was born in a religious Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha family in Patna, Bihar.{{cite news|last1=Vyas|first1=Hari Shankar|title=Brahmins in Congress on tenterhooks|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/foray/backbone/brahmins-in-congress-on-tenterhooks.html|access-date=1 June 2014|work=The Pioneer|date=7 April 2013}}{{Cite news|date=26 May 2014|title=Team Modi: Ravi Shankar Prasad - Lawyer of 'Ram Lalla'|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/highlights/story/team-modi-ravi-shankar-prasad-lawyer-of-ram-lalla-194545-2014-05-26|access-date=16 October 2021}} His father Thakur Prasad was a senior advocate at the Patna High Court and one of the leading founders of the Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party. His sister Anuradha Prasad is the owner of BAG Films and Media Ltd, and the wife of Congress politician Rajeev Shukla.{{Cite news|date=15 January 2018|title=BJP Observes 98th Birth Anniversary of Thakur Prasad|work=Patna Daily|url=https://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/13220-bjp-observes-98th-birth-anniversary-of-thakur-prasad.html|access-date=15 October 2021}}

Prasad earned BA Hons, MA (Political Science) and LL.B degrees from Patna University.{{cite web |date=26 May 2014 |title=Ravi Shankar Prasad: The new telecom minister may find his hands full |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ravi-shankar-prasad-the-new-telecom-minister-may-find-his-hands-full-1543163.html |access-date=1 June 2014 |website=Firstpost}} He became a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in 1969. Prasad participated in the student movement in Bihar led by Jayaprakash Narayan, and was imprisoned during the Emergency.{{Cite news|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/topic/ravi-shankar-prasad|access-date=10 November 2021}}

Prasad has been practising at the Patna High Court (HC) since 1980. He was designated Senior Advocate at the Patna HC in 1999 and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India in 2000.{{cite news|date=26 May 2014|title=Prasad Returns to Union Cabinet with a Bag of Experience|work=The New Indian Express|agency=PTI|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Prasad-Returns-to-Union-Cabinet-with-a-Bag-of-Experience/2014/05/26/article2246796.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200823/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Prasad-Returns-to-Union-Cabinet-with-a-Bag-of-Experience/2014/05/26/article2246796.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 June 2014|access-date=1 June 2014}} He was General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties in Bihar.

Prasad appeared in the Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya dispute representing the Hindu Mahasabha in the case.{{cite web | last=Tripathi | first=Purnima S. | title=Muslims should take the hint' | website=Frontline | date=2010-10-21 | url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30182137.ece}} He defended Lal Krishna Advani in court when the latter was arrested in Bihar during his Rath Yatra in 1990. He was also the main lawyer arguing the PIL against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam that led to the jailing of several politicians and officials, including Lalu Yadav.

Prasad began his political career as a student leader under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s, organising protests against Indira Gandhi's government.

A loyalist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the beginning of his political career, Prasad was National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, from 1991 to 1995. He became a Member of the BJP's National Executive Committee in 1995.

In April 2000, Prasad was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament for the first time. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership, Prasad served as Minister of State in the ministries of Coal (2001–2003), where he was responsible for accelerating the coal and mining reforms; Law and Justice (2002–2003); and Information and Broadcasting (2003–2004). As Minister of Information and Broadcasting, he introduced reforms in the radio, television and animation sectors which improved their quality and functioning.

Prasad was appointed as a national spokesperson of the BJP in March 2006, and was later elevated to the post of its Chief National Spokesperson in 2007. In 2010, he became the party's general secretary.

Prasad was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha for a second term in April 2006 and for a third in April 2012. As an MP, he was part of various parliamentary committees, including a joint parliamentary committee to examine matters relating to 2G spectrum case from 2011 to 2013.

File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister for Law and Justice, in New Delhi on May 27, 2014.jpg

File:Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad taking charge as the Union Minister of Law & Justice, in New Delhi on June 03, 2019.jpgWith the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's victory in the 2014 general election,{{Cite news|last=FP staff|date=17 May 2014|title=Election results 2014: Historic win for NDA with 336 seats, 282 for BJP|work=Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/election-results-2014-historic-win-for-nda-with-336-seats-285-for-bjp-1526377.html|access-date=11 November 2021}} Prasad rose to become part of the Narendra Modi Cabinet. He was appointed as Minister of Law and Justice and Minister for Communications and Information Technology on 27 May 2014. He would go on to serve three terms as Law Minister: 27 May to 9 November 2014; 5 July 2016 to 25 May 2019; and 30 May 2019 to 7 July 2021; a tenure of more than 5 years that was second only to that of Ashoke Sen.{{Cite news |last=Mahapatra |first=Dhananjay |date=10 July 2021 |title=Prasad's 5-year tenure saw Ayodhya & Rafale cases settled, old laws junked |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prasads-5-year-tenure-saw-ayodhya-rafale-cases-settled-old-laws-junked/articleshow/84285142.cms |access-date=15 October 2021}} Prasad was Minister of Communications and IT till the ministry's bifurcation on 5 July 2016 into a Ministry of Communications and a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following which he took charge of the latter. He was on the job till 25 May 2019, and again from 30 May 2019 to 7 July 2021. During the latter period, he also held the Communications portfolio.

One of Prasad's first acts after becoming Law Minister in 2014 was introducing legislation for the National Judicial Appointments Commission, which sought to reform the collegium system by which judges select candidates to be appointed as new judges. The collegium system had been criticised as opaque. The law was unanimously passed in Parliament and ratified by more than 20 states. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court of India struck it down, arguing that the Law Minister's presence in the Appointments Commission would cripple judicial independence.

The following year, the Law Ministry stalled many judges' appointments by objecting to various names recommended by the Supreme Court collegium. Prasad defended the executive in this faceoff with the judiciary by rolling out statistics showing an increased number of judges being appointed in the year 2016.

On 22 August 2017, the Supreme Court ruled the Muslim practice of instant divorce by uttering the word "talaq" thrice, called talaq-e-biddat or triple talaq, as "arbitrary and unconstitutional", violating women's right to equality, and not integral to Islam.{{Cite news|last=Bagriya, Ashok|first=and Sinha, Bhadra|date=23 August 2017|title=SC strikes down instant triple talaq, says practice is unconstitutional|work=The Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-strikes-down-triple-talaq-deems-it-against-tenets-of-islam/story-MG91Nll4c5KDOUkaFVsHEL.html|access-date=11 November 2021}} Following this landmark verdict, the NDA government tabled The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in the Lok Sabha in December 2017, seeking to introduce a 3-year jail term for offenders. The opposition criticised the bill for attempting to criminalise a civil wrong, with Law Minister Prasad countering the charges. While the original bill lapsed due to lack of support in the Rajya Sabha, it was passed by both Houses of Parliament on reintroduction in 2019, becoming an Act after receiving Presidential assent on 1 August 2019. The passage of the bill despite the ruling NDA not having a majority in the Rajya Sabha was seen as a victory for Prasad and the government.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 July 2019 |title=Triple Talaq Bill sails through in Rajya Sabha |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/rajya-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill/article28760822.ece |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=The Hindu Business Line}}[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/triple-talaq-bill-passed-in-rajya-sabha-1575309-2019-07-30 "History made, triple talaq bill passed by Parliament"], indiatoday, Retrieved on 31 July 2019.{{Cite news|last=Press Trust of India|date=1 August 2019|title=President gives assent to triple talaq bill|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-gives-assent-to-triple-talaq-bill-1575893-2019-08-01|access-date=11 November 2021}}

File:The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing at the inauguration of the National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC, in New Delhi (1).jpg

As Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Prasad spearheaded the NDA government's flagship Digital India programme. Prasad himself has highlighted the common service centre scheme under Digital India, providing digital delivery of services and creating employment, as the biggest achievement of the government in the digital technology sector. He has also pointed out the establishment of business processing and outsourcing units (BPOs) in far-flung areas and the growth of electronic manufacturing units in India as successful government efforts.{{Cite news|last=Mukul|first=Pranav|date=28 May 2018|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad: 'Digital India has become a mass movement in 4 years'|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/ravi-shankar-prasad-digital-india-has-become-a-mass-movement-in-4-years-5193638/|access-date=11 November 2021}} The UK-based NGO Apolitical adjudged him as one of the top twenty leaders in the list of 100 most influential people in Digital Government in 2018.

In 2018, Prasad was placed among the top twenty influential world leaders in digital technology and e-government, with his role in the Digital India programme and support for net neutrality.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ravi-shankar-prasad-among-top-twenty-most-influential-people-in-digital-government/articleshow/65340151.cms|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad among top twenty most influential people in Digital Government|date=2018-08-09|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-01-14}}{{Cite news|last=Doval|first=Pankaj|date=24 November 2017|title=Facebook, other social media giants won't get net exclusivity:Government|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fb-others-wont-get-net-exclusivity/articleshow/61774736.cms|access-date=11 November 2021}}

Prasad took the lead in advancing India's startup ecosystem and pioneered the organization of groundbreaking townhall meetings. These meetings provided a platform for assessing the distinctive requirements of the startup community, and Prasad played a pivotal role in shaping government policies and initiatives designed to bolster the support for startups in the nation.{{Cite news |date=2019-10-22 |title=Ecosystem in place for a software hub: Ravi Shankar Prasad |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/ecosystem-in-place-for-a-software-hub-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/71698584.cms |access-date=2023-11-08 |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |last=www.ETTelecom.com |title=Ravi Shankar Prasad launches CHUNAUTI to accelerate startup ecosystem development in India - ET Telecom |url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ravi-shankar-prasad-launches-chunauti-to-accelerate-startup-ecosystem-development-in-india/77806172 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=ETTelecom.com |language=en}}

In October 2019, Prasad tried to defend the condition of the Indian economy by commenting that "the holiday of October 2 saw earning[s] of over Rs 120 crore by three movies – War, Joker and Sye Raa", indicating that "[t]he economy is sound". He also claimed that an NSSO report on unemployment was false. The comment came on the back of industrial output figures released by the government showing how factory output had shrunk by 1.1% in August, recording the poorest performance in seven years. The World Bank had also pointed out the country's widening current account deficit and predicted a further slowdown in economic growth. After coming under sharp criticism from the opposition Congress and CPIM, Prasad withdrew the comment, stating it had been taken out of context.{{Cite news|last=HT Correspondent|date=10 July 2020|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad defends economy with 3 movies made Rs 120 cr remark. Then withdraws it|work=The Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ravi-shankar-prasad-defends-economy-with-3-movies-made-rs-120-cr-remark-then-withdraws-it/story-Ro5IYIxhAcZGBB4m7vyuNP.html|access-date=12 November 2021}}{{Cite news|last=TNM staff|date=12 October 2019|title=Economy is sound, which is why 3 movies made Rs 120 cr: IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/economy-sound-which-why-3-movies-made-rs-120-cr-it-minister-ravi-shankar-prasad-110438|access-date=12 November 2021}}

Prasad has openly supported the cause of net neutrality, insisting that internet access "is not negotiable" and “walled gardens cannot be allowed”. As Minister for Communications and IT, Prasad had denied Facebook permission for its Free Basics platform in India in 2016, saying it provided access to only a host of websites and services, while excluding the broader internet from its purview.{{Cite news|last=Press Trust of India|date=16 December 2017|title=Right to non-discriminatory internet access is non-negotiable: Ravi Shankar Prasad|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/right-to-non-discriminatory-internet-access-is-non-negotiable-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/62098624.cms|access-date=12 November 2021}}

On 25 February, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were notified,{{Cite web|title=Notification dated, the 25th February, 2021 G.S.R. 139(E): the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021|url=https://www.meity.gov.in/content/notification-dated-25th-february-2021-gsr-139e-information-technology-intermediary|access-date=12 November 2021|website=Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology}}{{Cite web|title=Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules-2021|url=https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Intermediary_Guidelines_and_Digital_Media_Ethics_Code_Rules-2021.pdf|access-date=12 November 2021|website=Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology}} seeking to regulate social media intermediaries and to tackle misuse of social media. However, Prasad and his Ministry were soon drawn into a bitter spat with Big Tech companies, especially Twitter, over the implementation of these local laws. The tussle escalated as the government removed Twitter's legal protection in India as an "intermediary" on June 16 over its failure to comply with the new IT rules,{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Karuna|date=17 June 2021|title=Twitter loses its legal protection in India: What it could mean for the platform and brands|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/advertising/brands/article/twitter-loses-its-legal-protection-in-india-what-it-could-mean-for-the-platform-and-brands/articleshow/83575565.cms|access-date=12 November 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Soibam Rocky|date=5 July 2021|title=Twitter failed to comply with new IT Rules: Centre to Delhi High Court|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/twitter-failed-to-comply-with-new-it-rules-centre-to-delhi-high-court/article35150130.ece|access-date=12 November 2021}} while Twitter temporarily locked Prasad's official handle on its platform due to a copyright violation.{{Cite news|last=Press Trust of India|date=25 June 2021|title=Twitter blocks Ravi Shankar Prasad's account for 1 hour over 'violation' of US copyright laws|work=The Print|url=https://theprint.in/india/twitter-blocks-ravi-shankar-prasads-account-for-1-hour-over-violation-of-us-copyright-laws/684528/|access-date=12 November 2021}}

In Lok Sabha 2024 Ravi Shankar Prasad has won in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. He has defeated Dr. Anshul Avijit by about 1.5 lakh votes.{{Cite news |date=5 June 2024 |title=Ravi Shankar Prasad has won in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/patna/ravi-shankar-won-from-urban-votes |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Prabhat Khabar}}

On 3 February 1982, Prasad married Maya Shankar, who is a Historian and Professor of History at Patna University.{{cite web|title=Interview: Anuradha Prasad, Managing Director, BAG films|url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706120252/http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/03/interview-anuradha-prasad-managing-director-bag-films/|archive-date=6 July 2014|access-date=1 June 2014|website=www.bestmediainfo.com|publisher=Best Media Info}}

• List of politicians from Bihar

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• [http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=214 Profile on Rajya Sabha's website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023529/http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=214 |date=4 March 2016 }}

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