Dhruva Kumar - Wikipedia - Recent changes [en]

#REDIRECT [[Glasgow South (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections in the 2020s]]

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{{short description|British academic and politician(}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Dhruva Kumar

| image = Prof Dhruva Kumar.png

| caption = Prof Dhruva Kumar

| native_name =

| birth_place = [[Motihari]], [[Bihar]]

| education = [[University of Dundee]], [[Glasgow College of Nautical Studies]], [[Glasgow Caledonian University]],

[[University of Strathclyde]], [[City of Glasgow College]], [[Glasgow]]

| occupation = {{hlist|Educationist|political activist}}

| nationality = {{flagicon|india}} [[Indian people|Indian]]

| party = [[Alba Party]]

| website = {{URL|https://www.albaparty.org/kumar_for_glasgow_south/}}

}}

'''Dhruva Kumar'''(born 10 December 1987) is an Indian-born [[educationist]], maritime engineer, and [[political activist]] based in [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/scottish-poll-candidates-pm-modi-raga-posts-spark-row/articleshow/111043003.cms/|title= Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi-RaGa posts spark row|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=17 June 2024}}</ref> In 2024, Dhruva fought MP election from Glasgow South with [[Alba Party]], a [[Scottish nationalist]] and [[Scottish independence|pro-independence]] political party in [[Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/video/uk-elections-indian-origin-candidate-from-glasglow-south-dhruva-kumar-seeks-independence-for-scotland-2562100-2024-07-04/|title= UK elections: Indian-origin candidate Dhruva Kumar seeks independence for Scotland|website=India Today|date= 4 July 2024|accessdate=22 Nov 2024}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==

Dhruva Kumar was born in [[Motihari]] district, [[Bihar]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/bihar/east-champaran-pm-met-lal-of-champaran-in-glasgow-uk-gave-a-speech-on-educational-proposal-22177405.html/|title= यूके के ग्लास्गो में चम्पारण के लाल से मिले पीएम मोदी|website=Jagran|accessdate=22 Nov 2024}}</ref> Educated at [[Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya]] in his hometown, Kumar then moved [[Kota, Rajasthan]] for his higher studies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/motihari/prof-dhruv-is-contesting-the-election-of-mp-in-scotland/|title= छौड़ादानो के प्रो ध्रुव स्कॉटलैंड में सांसदी का लड़ रहे हैं चुनाव|website=Prabhat Khabar|date= 27 May 2024|accessdate=27 May 2024}}</ref> After completing his secondary education in [[Kota, Rajasthan]], Kumar moved to [[Scotland]] in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://up18news.com/one-brothers-dream-another-brothers-reality-the-kumar-familys-legacy/#google_vignette/|title= One Brother's Dream, Another Brother's Reality: The Kumar Family's Legacy|website=Up 18 News|date= 21 Dec 2024|accessdate=21 Dec 2024}}</ref> He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Electronic Systems Engineering from [[Glasgow Caledonian University]] and pursued advanced qualifications in education and leadership from the [[University of Dundee]]. Kumar became senior researcher at the University of Strathclyde, focusing on autonomous and unmanned vessel systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!bharat/bihar-dhruv-kumar-became-parliamentary-candidate-from-glasgow-city-of-scotland-brn24052203692/|title= Bihari in Scotland election|website=ETV Bharat|date= 22 May 2024|accessdate=22 May 2024}}</ref> In 2018, he became the Head of Curriculum for Marine Engineering at the City of Glasgow College, where he oversees training for one-third of the UK's marine engineering apprentices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reva.edu.in/events/report-on-4th-international-web-conference-on-advanced-research-in-civil-engineering-592/|title= Report on 4th International Web Conference on Advanced Research in Civil Engineering|website=Reva University|accessdate=11 June 2020}}</ref> Kumar supports Scottish independent movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's satyagrah movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/scottish-poll-candidate-s-pm-modi-raga-posts-spark-row/ar-BB1okt28/|title= Scotish poll candidate|website=MNS|accessdate=22 Nov 2024}}</ref>

== Career in education and maritime engineering ==

Dhruva Kumar began his professional journey in the maritime industry before transitioning into education. In 2018, he became the Head of Curriculum for Marine Engineering at the City of Glasgow College, where he oversees training for one-third of the UK's marine engineering apprentices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reva.edu.in/events/report-on-4th-international-web-conference-on-advanced-research-in-civil-engineering-592/|title= Report on 4th International Web Conference on Advanced Research in Civil Engineering|website=Reva University|accessdate=11 June 2020}}</ref>His work and research emphasizes innovation in autonomous shipping and skills development. His research focuses on integrating automation and sustainable practices in maritime engineering.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kumar |first=Dhruva |date=2021 |title=Identification of Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) risk in pandemic restrictions|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355772844 |journal=International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) & Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport |via=researchgate.net}}</ref> Dhruva’s contributions extend far beyond education, social justice, and politics. He has emerged as strong political voice in Scotland and has been instrumental in modernising maritime education, addressing challenges posed by automation and climate change in the shipping industry. His research on maritime education during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided strategic frameworks for enhancing the resilience of training systems.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24719882.pro-independence-leaders-must-now-heed-alex-salmonds-call-unity/|title= Pro-independence leaders must now heed Alex salmonds call unity|work= The National Scot|accessdate=10 December 2024}}</ref>

== Political career ==

Kumar is a member of the Alba Party and contested the 2024 UK general election in the Glasgow South constituency. He also serves as the Media Coordinator for the Alba Friends of India group. His political positions include advocacy for Scottish independence, and he has written about Indo-UK relations, religious tolerance, and sustainable development.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/S14000087/|title= Glasgow South results|work= BBC News|accessdate=22 Nov 2024}}</ref>Kumar frequently engages in public debates and has written extensively on Indo-UK relations, racial and religious tolerance, and sustainable development. [[The Times]] reported on Kumar's selection by the Alba Party, highlighting his support for Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and his history of making inflammatory social media remarks, including derogatory comments about "half breeds" and criticisms of the Nehru-Gandhi family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/alba-radical-hindu-glasgow-south-dhruva-kumar-5mzz85ng3/|title= Alba picks radical Hindu for Glasgow seat with big Muslim population|website=The Times|date= 9 June 2024|accessdate=10 June 2024}}</ref>

== Political advocacy in Glasgow ==

Kumar publicly opposed the planned closure of the [[Grangemouth oil refinery]], arguing that it plays a significant role in Scotland’s economy and employment sector. He has called for government intervention, including modernization efforts and potential nationalization, to maintain the site’s operations and meet environmental targets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24780168.grangemouth-oil-refinery-closure-not-just-industrial-issue/|title= Grangemouth oil refinery closure is not just an industrial issue|work= The National Scot|accessdate=9 December 2024}}</ref>

== Advocacy against Hinduphobia ==

In April 2025, Dhruva Kumar played a pivotal role in the introduction and passage of Motion S6M‑17089 in the Scottish Parliament, making it the first UK legislature to formally condemn Hinduphobia. The motion, tabled by Alba Party MSP Ash Regan on April 8, explicitly acknowledged rising prejudice, workplace discrimination, temple vandalism, and cultural erasure documented in a report authored by the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS), for which Kumar serves as General Secretary.

The motion commended the GPS for bringing attention to these issues, praised its research, advocacy, and efforts toward interfaith dialogue, and encouraged continued collaboration among policymakers, religious communities, and educators<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uniindia.com/dhruva-kumar-and-gandhian-39-s-legacy-scotland-parliament-sets-precedent-with-anti-45-hinduphobia-motion/pnn/news/3444222.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com/|title= Dhruva Kumar and Gandhian's Legacy: Scotland Parliament Sets Precedent with Anti-Hinduphobia motion|work= United News of India|accessdate=22 June 2025}}</ref>The report—co-authored by Kumar alongside Anuranjan Jha, Sukhi Bains, Neil Lal, and Ajit Trivedi—includes firsthand accounts of discrimination, ranging from hate speech in schools to vandalism of Hindu temples.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/scottish-parliament-passes-first-ever-motion-to-combat-hinduphobia?utm_source=chatgpt.com/|title= Scottish Parliament passes first-ever motion to combat Hinduphobia|work= MyIndMakers|accessdate=22 June 2025}}</ref> Commenting on the motion, Kumar emphasized its grounding in Gandhian philosophy, stating, “Gandhiji taught us non‑violence includes combating ignorance,” and described the motion as a vehicle for building social unity and ensuring that Scots of all backgrounds live without fear of prejudice.

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YaXGj0Fdeg/ Indian-Origin Candidate Dhruva Kumar Eyes Scottish Independence | India Today News]

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH0R0hFC0yE/ UK Elections: What Indian Origin Poll Candidate Said On Sunak, Hindu Vote| Dhruv Kumar Exclusive]

* [https://gandhi.foundation/dhruva-kumar/ Official website of Gandhi Foundation, UK]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Dhruva}}

[[Category:1987 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:21st-century British politicians]]

[[Category:21st-century Scottish politicians]]

[[Category:Alumni of the University of Dundee]]

[[Category:Alumni of Glasgow Caledonian University]]

[[Category:Scottish people of Indian descent]]

[[Category:British people of Indian descent]]

[[Category:Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:People from Motihari]]

[[Category:People from East Champaran district]]

[[Category:Indian emigrants to Scotland]]