George Kurian: BJP's unique Christian activist turns into Modi's Cabinet member

KOTTAYAM: George Kurian cherished the lotus at a time when the minority community did not even consider BJP. His political journey began after the Emergency when he was attracted to the Janata Party. Kurian, impressed by the discipline of the RSS men supporting the Jana Sangh within the Janata Party, joined BJP when it was formed in 1980. Despite being a teenager and at a time when BJP could not even dream of power, George Kurian held the lotus flag close to his chest, becoming a mouthpiece for the party.

Born in 1960 as the youngest of five children to Kuryan and Annamma in Poykkarankala, Nambiakulam near Kanakkari, George Kurian joined BJP in 1980. Often serving as a shield against propaganda that BJP was anti-Christian, Kurian faced ostracization from even his relatives for his political affiliation. He studied at Mannanam KE College, Nattakam Government College and Pala St. Thomas College, earning his LL.B from MG University School of Legal Thought.

In 1981, he became the district president of Vidyarthi Morcha, later joining Yuva Morcha in 1983. He held various positions from district president to national vice-president and from 1999 to 2010, he was a member of BJP National Executive Committee. His activities were primarily based in Delhi during this period, where he also practiced law. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Officer on Special Duty to Union Minister O. Rajagopal. In 2007, he became the All India General Secretary of the Minority Front.

Returning to state politics, George Kurian became the state spokesperson in 2010 and the Vice-Chairman of the National Minority Commission in 2015 while serving as the State Vice-President. He also held the position of state general secretary of the party. He has contested in the Kottayam and Muvattupuzha parliamentary constituencies and against Oommen Chandy in Puthupally.

George Kurian is married to O.T. Annamma and they have two children: Adarsh, who resides in Canada and Akash, who is in Georgia.