Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician from Arunachal Pradesh who is the Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences in Government of India since 2023 and a member of the parliament in Lok Sabha from Arunachal West since 2014 and from 2004 to 2009. Earlier, he served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs from 2014 to 2019, Minister of State for Minority Affairs from 2019 to 2021, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Sports and Youth Affairs from 2019 to 2021 and the Law minister from 2021 to 2023.

Early life

Rijiju was born on 19 November 1971 at Nakhu near Nafra in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. He is the son of Rinchin Kharu and Chirai Rijiju. His father was the first pro-tem speaker of Arunachal Pradesh who gave oath to the Members of the First State Legislative Assembly.

He was a good athlete during his college days and as of February 2023 is seen playing Football and Badminton.

Education

Rijiju did his graduation degree (B.A.) from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. Further, in 1998, he did his graduate degree in law (LL.B) from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

Political career

Kiren Rijiju is a three time MP in Lok Sabha from Arunachal Pradesh. He has served as minister of state (MoS) (independent charge) youth affairs and sports, MoS minority affairs, MoS home affairs, and Minister of Law and Justice. His tenure as Law Minister was marked by controversies. On 18th May 2023, he was assigned the portfolio of Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Controversies

In 2022, Kiren called the collegium system of appointment of judges in Indian judicial system as "opaque", implying that appointments are done on personal associations rather than merit. He also advocated for government's role in the appointment of judges, writing to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. His comments on judiciary and collegium system were widely criticised by the legal community and the Supreme Court.

In March 2023, Kiren accused some retired judges to be a part of "Anti-India gang". A group of former civil servants from the Constitutional Conduct Group responded by claiming Rijiju's comments a sign of 'authoritarianism'.

Personal life

He married Joram Rina Rijiju in 2004. She is a graduate from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi and is a gold medalist from Arunachal University. She is an Associate Professor teaching history at Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.