Know Your Minister of Law and Justice- Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal

In the latest cabinet reshuffle dated 18-05-2023 by the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Law and Justice was given to Arjun Ram Meghwal. He took over the responsibilities of the portfolio from former Law Minister, Kiren Rijiju who has now taken charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences¹.

After the reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal, who as a Minister of State (Independent Charge), had already been heading the Ministries of Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, now adds the Ministry of Law and Justice alongside his existing portfolios².

Upon assuming charge of the Law Ministry, Arjun Ram Meghwal said that “The Constitution teaches us everything we need to know. I will work according to that.”³

Early Life, Education and Administrative Career

Arjun Ram Meghwal was born on 20-12-1953 to Lakhu Ram Meghwal and Hira Devi Meghwal in Kishmideshar, Village, Bikaner, Rajasthan⁴. His parents were weavers by profession and his childhood was heavily influenced by his parents who were God-fearing people. Meghwal did his schooling from government schools and while pursuing his studies, started working as a telephone operator in the post and telegraph department in 1974⁵. He acquired degrees in Law and Political Science from Dungar College, Bikaner in 1977 and 1979 respectively⁶ and his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Philippine, Philippines⁷.

Meghwal is known for his love for bhajans (devotional songs) and was often seen singing devotional songs on various occasions like Rajasthan Kabir Yatra 2016⁸.

After completing his education, Arjun Ram Meghwal cleared the Rajasthan Administrative Service examination in 1980 and served in various capacities in the State Government across different districts. He was promoted to the Indian Administrative Service in 1999 and went on to serve in various administrative posts, including as the District Magistrate of Churu⁹.

Mainstream Politics- Party, Parliament and Ministries

In order to pursue his political spirations, Meghwal took voluntary retirement from Administrative Services and in the year 2009, made his foray into mainstream politics and was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Bikaner. He was re-elected to Lok Sabha from Bikaner in 2014 and 2019 respectively ¹⁰.

In 2016, Meghwal reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan for his swearing-in ceremony as a Minister on a bicycle¹¹.

Considered to be “silent worker” of the Bhartiya Janta Party, Meghwal held many positions of import within the state wing of the BJP and at national level. He was Vice-President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajasthan and Member, National Executive, B.J.P. He was also the Chief Whip of the BJP in the Lok Sabha in 2014¹².

Shri Meghwal has been vocally advocating to get Rajasthani recognised as an official language under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution¹³.

In 2013, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal became the recipient of Best Parliamentarian Award¹⁴.

Notable Committee Memberships [2009- 2016]

• Member, Consultative Committee, External Affairs–

• Member, National Core Committee, Scheduled Castes Morcha B.J.P.

• Member, Standing Committee on Defence

• Member, Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forest

• Member, Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice

• Convenor, Anuvrat Parliamentarian Forum

• Member, Zonal Railway User`s Consultative Committee (ZRUCC)

• Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

• Member, Committee on Absence of Member from the Sitting of the House

• Member, Business Advisory Committee

• Member, Standing Committee on Railways

• Member, Committee on Ethics

• Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs

• Executive Member, Indian Parliamentary Group

• Chairperson, House Committee

• Member, Joint Committee on Offices of Profit

• Member, General Purposes Committee

• Member, National Khadi and Village Industries Board

• Member, Governing Council of SSA

• Member, Committee on Estimates

• Member, Sub-Committee-III, Committee on Estimates

Notable Ministerial Portfolios

• Union Minister of State, Ministry of Finance; and Ministry of Corporate Affairs

• Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India

• Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, Government of India.