Prakash Karat Age, Wiki and Bio

Prakash Karat

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth07/02/1948
Age76 years
BirthplaceLetpandan, Burma (Now Myanmar)

Bio/Wiki

ProfessionPolitician
Political PartyCommunist Party of India (Marxist)
Political Journey
  • Became an active member of student politics while studying at the University of Edinburgh.
  • Worked as an aide to the CPI(M) Leader A.K. Gopalan (1971-1973).
  • One of the founders and President of the Student Federation of India (SFI) in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi (1973).
  • Elected as the third president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union.
  • Served as the second president of the Student's Federation of India between 1974 and 1979.
  • Worked underground during the Emergency of India (1975-1976).
  • Secretary of the Delhi State Committee of the CPI(M) (1982-1985).
  • Elected to the Central Committee of the CPI(M) (1985).
  • Became a member of 'Politburo' (1992).
  • General Secretary of the CPI(M) (2005-2015).

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 10" (178 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorSalt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Degrees
  • B.A. in Economics from Madras Christian College.
  • M.A. in Political Science from University of Edinburgh.
  • MSc from University of Edinburgh.
  • PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Schools
  • Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School, Chennai
Colleges
  • Madras Christian College, Chennai
  • University of Edinburgh, UK
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Personal Life

Date of Birth07/02/1948
BirthplaceLetpandan, Burma (Now Myanmar)
HometownPalakkad, Kerala
Zodiac SignAquarius
CasteNair
ControversyAccused of being involved in a foreign funding scam with NewsClick.

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Date07/11/1975
WifeBrinda Karat

Family

FatherPadmanabhan Nair (Clerk in the Burma Railways)
MotherRadhamma
SpouseBrinda Karat

Career

OverviewKarat has had a significant impact on Indian politics, particularly within the Communist Party of India (Marxist). His political journey began in student politics and evolved through various positions, including that of General Secretary of CPI(M). Known for his leadership roles and involvement in critical political issues, Karat remains a vital figure in leftist political discourse in India.

Some Lesser Known Facts

Karat hails from a Maliyali Nair family and lived in Palakkad until he was five, after which he moved to Burma.
He secured the first prize in an all-India essay competition on the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
On graduation day, he was honored with the best all-round student prize at Madras Christian College.
He was encouraged to pursue graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh after completing his thesis on Language and Politics in modern India.
Karat was rusticated from the University of Edinburgh during his studies due to anti-apartheid protests.
He was twice arrested during the Emergency of India (1975-1976) and spent eight days in prison.
Karat is an author, with works including 'Language, Nationality and Politics in India' and 'A World to Win-Essays on the Communist Manifesto'.
He announced in 2008 that the CPI(M) would withdraw support from the UPA over the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.
As of 2024, he actively participates in the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M), focusing on internal party matters.