Pawan Khera is an Indian politician, public speaker and social activist who was appointed as the national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress in 2021. In February 2023, he caused controversy by mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference in New Delhi by referring to him as “Narendra Gautamdas Modi.” and not “Narendra Modi”.
Wiki/Biography
Pawan Khera was born on Wednesday, 31 July 1968 (age 55 years; in 2023) in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. Pawan completed his studies from Delhi University.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about Pawan’s family. His younger sister, Rupam Khera, died on May 22, 2021, after battling Covid-19.
Pawan Khera’s father with Indian politician Rajiv Gandhi
Pawan Khera’s mother
Pawan Khera’s sister, Rupam Khera
Wife & Children
Pawan’s wife, Dr Kota Neelima, is an Indian author and politician who was appointed as the general secretary of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) in December 2022.
Priya Malik’s wife Pawan Khera, Dr Kota Neelima
Signature/Autograph
Signature of Pawan Khera
Career
In the 1980s, before joining politics, Pawan worked as a journalist. In 1989, Pawan joined the youth wing of the Indian National Congress. However, in 1991, he left the Congress party after the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Later, Pawan was greatly inspired by the political philosophy of Indian politician Sheila Dikshit, who served as the longest serving chief minister in Delhi for three consecutive terms, 1998, 2003, and 2008. As a result, in 1998, Pawan again joined Sheila’s Indian National Congress and became secretary While serving as personal secretary to Sheila, Pawan learned political functions. In 2013, Sheila Dikshit lost the Delhi Assembly elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and as a result, Pawan’s tenure as secretary ended. Since 2015, Pawan has appeared on various television news channels to represent the Congress party in various political debates and discussions. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Pawan was appointed as the convenor of the party’s poll committee. In 2021, Pawan was appointed as the national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress. Pawan, known for his vocal skills, has often publicly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s policies and political decisions. On 18 June 2022, Pawan was elected as the chairman of the Media & Publicity Department of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Controversy
Arrested for mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
On 23 February 2023, Pawan was detained by the Assam police from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, after an FIR was filed against him for allegedly making insulting remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press conference in New Delhi. The conference was called to demand an inquiry by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) against industrialist Gautam Adani and the Adani Group for their alleged involvement in stock manipulation. During the meeting, while accusing Narendra Modi of supporting Gautam Adani, he referred to Narendra Modi as “Narendra Gautamdas Modi,” instead of “Narendra Damodardas Modi” where his middle name is his father. He said,
If Narasimha Rao can form the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee), if Atal Bihari Vajpayee can form the JPC, then what is the problem with Narendra Gautam Das…sorry Damodardas…Modi?”
As a result, on 15 February 2023, Samuel Changsan, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, filed an FIR against Pawan Khera at the Haflong Police Station, Dima Hasao, under IPC Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 153 A, 153 B (1) (promoting enmity, race, etc.40), 5 (encouraging enmity on the basis of religion, etc. intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 505 (1) (2) (statements leading to public damage). In addition, a complaint was also registered against Pawan in Uttar Pradesh. Pawan, who was disembarked from IndiGo flight 6E 204, was supposed to attend the plenary session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. On 17 February 2023, Pawan posted on Twitter and stated that he was confused by the prime minister’s middle name and said,
I am totally confused whether it is Damodardas or Gautam Das…”
On 23 February 2023, as Pawan was asked to get off the plane, his supporters gathered and staged a protest at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, and raised slogans in support of him saying “Modi Teri Kabar Khudegi.” While addressing reporters, Pawan apologized for his mistake and referred to the incident as a “slip of the tongue.” Talking about how he was asked to get off the flight, Pawan said,
I was told they wanted to see my luggage. I said I had nothing but a handbag. When I got off the plane I was told I couldn’t leave and the DCP was coming. I don’t know why I was blocked.”
Pawan Khera and his supporters during a protest at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, after Pawan was taken off an IndiGo flight
Appointing Narendra Modi as “Father of Hypocrisy”
On 15 February 2023, Pawan Khera called Narendra Modi the Father of Hypocrisy after the Income Tax Department raided the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai. Reportedly, the unexpected raid came after the BBC aired a two-part documentary, “India: The Modi Question,” about Narendra Modi’s political career, his alleged involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots, and his relationship with India’s Muslim minority. The screening of the documentary was banned by the Government of India, citing it as “hostile propaganda and anti-Indian garbage.” The video snippets, shared by users, have been blocked from various social media platforms including YouTube and Twitter. In an interview, Pawan claimed that Modi was trying to restrict the freedom of the media, which came out with the truth about the prime minister and said,
Prime Minister Modi has received several awards from foreign entities and has been touted publicly. But when some foreign entities criticized it, they were attacked or called “anti-national.” When Prime Minister Modi’s past was exposed by the BBC, he used an investigative agency as a ‘front organization’ to raid an international media outlet. This year, it is India’s turn to host the G20, which is a big event, and “what image of India is Modi ji showing to the world with this raid?” By giving the slogan ‘Mother of Democracy’, he himself has become the ‘father of hypocrisy.’
Facts/Trivia
- Pawan Khera is sometimes seen smoking a hookah.
Pawan Khera while smoking hookah
- In 2022, Pawan actively participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, initiated by Indian politician Rahul Gandhi.
Pawan Khera (far right) with Indian politician Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kerala
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
