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Meenakshi Lekhi: Husband, Family, Age, Daughter and Net Asset



Meenakshi Lekhi (née Khanna), born on 30 April 1967 in New Delhi, India, is a prominent Indian lawyer-turned-politician affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She served as Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture from 7 July 2021 to 11 June 2024 in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet (en.wikipedia.org). A Member of Parliament (MP) for the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, she was first elected in May 2014 and re-elected in May 2019, securing over 504,000 votes .

Early Life & Education

Born to Shri Bhagwan Khanna and Smt. Amarlata Khanna in New Delhi, Meenakshi completed her schooling in the capital (oneindia.com). She earned a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Botany from Hindu College, University of Delhi and an LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre (1987–1990) (en.wikipedia.org). After enrolling with the Delhi Bar Council in 1990, she began practicing at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India (en.wikipedia.org).

Legal Career

Before entering politics, Lekhi was a formidable presence in the legal domain. Her legal work included:

  • Advocating for women’s rights and workplace safety, notably in drafting bills like the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill (oneindia.com).

  • Representing media outlets in court to challenge bans on media coverage, notably in the Nirbhaya case .

  • Taking up landmark cases involving the permanent commission of women officers in the Indian Armed Forces (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Acting as the lawyer for the victim in the high-profile Shanti Mukund Hospital rape case (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Filing a criminal contempt petition in 2019 against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his Rafale remarks (en.wikipedia.org).

Entry into Politics

Meenakshi joined the BJP in 2010, after being invited by Nitin Gadkari. She was swiftly appointed as Vice-President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and later rose to become a National Spokesperson (indianexpress.com).

Electoral Journey

  • May 2014: Elected MP from New Delhi, defeating Congress's Ajay Maken by a margin of approximately 270,000 votes (en.wikipedia.org).

  • May 2019: Re-elected with over 54% vote share (en.wikipedia.org).

  • 2024: Not renominated by the BJP for the upcoming general election .

Roles in Parliament

  • Chairperson, Parliamentary Privileges Committee (20 July 2016–29 October 2019) (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Chairperson, Public Undertakings Committee (30 October 2019–13 August 2021) (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Member, prominent standing and consultative committees including Law, Urban Development, Commerce, and Housing (en.wikipedia.org).

  • NDMC ex-officio Chairperson and member of the Press Council of India (en.wikipedia.org).

Ministerial Tenure

On 7 July 2021, Meenakshi Lekhi was inducted into the Union Ministry as Minister of State:

External Affairs

  • Represented India on diplomatic platforms, including visits to Taiwan and Kazakhstan (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Voiced concerns over "weaponisation" of caste and religion, urging Indian institutions to combat it (republicworld.com).

Culture

  • Advocated for national heritage, including a notable campaign to rename Aurangzeb Road in Delhi and support for Indian-cultural expressions in foreign policy (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Strengthened cultural diplomacy and heritage projects during her tenure.

Her ministerial roles lasted until 11 June 2024, after which her portfolios were reassigned (en.wikipedia.org).

Parliamentary Performance

Personal Life

Meenakshi is married to Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi, who holds the position of Additional Solicitor General of India (indianexpress.com). They married on 11 April 1992 and have three children—two sons and a daughter . Her father-in-law, Pran Nath Lekhi, was also a distinguished Supreme Court advocate (en.wikipedia.org).

Recent News & Controversies ⚖️

1. Denial of Renomination (June 2024)

After two terms as the New Delhi MP, the BJP did not renominate her for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, ending her decade-long tenure .

2. “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” Incident (Feb 2024)

At the Awake Youth Conclave in Kozhikode, she urged the audience to chant "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". When they hesitated, she told a woman to stand and chant or leave. Critics referenced Supreme Court rulings protecting individual choice (en.wikipedia.org).

3. Misuse of Central Agencies Claim (Aug 2023)

During a Lok Sabha session, she reportedly told opposition MPs to "be quiet or ED may reach your house," leading to allegations of intimidation and misuse of agencies (tribuneindia.com).

4. Delhi Jal Board Scam Allegation (Nov 2023)

Accused the AAP government of a fake Rs 3,237-crore scam related to Delhi Jal Board finances. AAP rebutted it as political interference (ndtv.com).

Writing & Public Persona

  • A forthright columnist for The Week magazine (“Forthwrite”), contributing fortnightly articles (altmediaconference.com).

  • A frequent voice in TV debates, discussing national and international affairs (imeuswe.in).

  • Part of the writing team for books and authored her first publication via HarperCollins (harpercollins.com).

Awards & Recognitions

  • Lokmat Parliamentary Award (2017): Best Debut Woman Parliamentarian .

  • Regularly acknowledged for high participation and impactful presence in Lok Sabha debates.

  • Honoured for her leadership roles in parliamentary committees and cultural forums.

Key Contributions & Legacy

  • Road renaming projects: Instrumental in renaming Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Dalhousie Road, and Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg (en.wikipedia.org).

  • Championing women's issues: From legal advocacy to supporting reservation and gender laws.

  • Cultural diplomacy: Elevated cultural heritage in her ministerial roles.

  • Legal activism: Defended media freedom and equality in legal practice.

Top Interesting Facts

  1. Botany to Law: Her academic journey spans from a Botany degree to a distinguished legal career .

  2. Legal Activist: Represented rape survivors and championed women’s rights in courts.

  3. Bilingual Orator: Comfortable debating in both English and Hindi.

  4. Parliament Powerhouse: Outperformed many MPs in debates, questions, and bills.

  5. Road Renaming Maven: Central to reshaping Delhi’s urban identity.

  6. Disclaimer Fighter: Filed a contempt petition against Rahul Gandhi.

  7. Literary Voice: Writes a fortnightly column and has contributed to a book.

  8. Political Mentor: Guided Mahila Morcha after joining BJP in 2010.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who is Meenakshi Lekhi married to?
Aman Lekhi, a renowned Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India (en.wikipedia.org, indianexpress.com).

Q2. What positions has she held in Parliament?
She’s served as Chairperson of the Privileges Committee (2016–19), Public Undertakings Committee (2019–21), and been a member of several important standing committees (en.wikipedia.org).

Q3. Was she a minister? If so, when?
Yes. She was Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture from 7 July 2021 to 11 June 2024 (en.wikipedia.org).

Q4. Was she renominated for the 2024 elections?
No. In June 2024, the BJP did not include her among its candidates for the Lok Sabha for the first time since 2014 .

Q5. What controversies has she faced?

  • Pressured an audience to chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Feb 2024) .

  • Warned opposition MPs about the ED (ED intimidation row, Aug 2023) (tribuneindia.com).

  • Alleged a Rs 3,237-crore scam by Delhi Jal Board vs AAP (Nov 2023) .

Q6. Has she won any awards?
Yes. She was named Best Debut Woman Parliamentarian by Lokmat in 2017 .

Q7. What is her legal legacy?
Landmark work on women’s rights, media freedoms, military gender equality, and constitutional law. Key actions include drafting significant bills and representing victims in high-profile cases (oneindia.com).

Q8. Does she write?
Yes. Author of a fortnightly column in The Week (“Forthwrite”), contributor to books, and active commentator on media and policy.

Closing Thoughts

Meenakshi Lekhi represents a unique blend of legal acumen, parliamentary activism, cultural leadership, and media engagement. Her journey from a courtroom lawyer to a key figure in India’s central government demonstrates a rare combination of advocacy, authority, and voice. Despite controversies, she has remained an influential force in shaping women’s rights, urban identity, and cultural diplomacy.

As she transitions from formal political roles post-2024, her legacy as a lawyer-turned-stateswoman—with a sharp pen, confident podium presence, and bold public stance—will remain a defining chapter in India’s public life.


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