Rajesh Gangwar (born 12 January 1967) is a socialist who believes in nonviolence. Born and raised in a small village of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh he became an engineer, but left his career after becoming interested in social movements. He has been on several hunger strikes to protest against the harassment of women.
Early life
Rajesh Gangwar was born in Chakdaha, a small village in Bareilly on 12 January 1967, to a family with a background in agriculture. After completing primary and secondary education at Patel Inter College, Dhaunra Bareilly, and Government Inter College, Bareilly, he studied Engineering at Government Polytechnic Nainital before graduating from Bareilly College, with an interest in Sociology. He began working as an engineer at Oswal Sugar Mill, Nawabganj, Bareilly, but three years later found he lacked sufficient interest in the field, and left to focus on social work.[1]
Protests
Rajesh Gangwar has been on several hunger strikes to protest the harassment of women.
Hunger strike in Delhi against Damini rape case
Gangwar travelled to Delhi on 24 December 2012 and went on hunger strike as he considered the Government was not taking enough action on the Delhi rape case of Vasant Vihar. On receiving medical advice he gave up the strike on 6 January after being hospitalized.[2]
Hunger strike in Bareilly
After his daughter was murdered on 5 November 2014 he sat on hunger strike for 11 days.
