Raghavendar Askani


Raghavendar Askani is an Indian anti-corruption and social activist. He is the founder and general secretary of the Youth Parliament Program and co-founder and director of the Swatantrata Center, an Indian liberal public policy think tank. He has also written columns in Indian newspapers, such as The Print, Telangana Today.

Early life and activism

Askani is from Wanaparthy, Telangana. As a student leader, he was drawn to public service and civic activity at a young age, and he became the National Coordinator of Youth for Better India. Raghavendar played a crucial role in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement campaign, particularly in the Telugu states, where he advocated for the strong Lokpal Bill.
RTI advocacy exposed corruption in many colleges in the Mahabubnagar District fee reimbursement and scholarship program, resulting in the misappropriation of funds intended for low-income students. Through the Right to Information Act, the advocacy secured fee reimbursements for thousands of students across colleges, preventing financial barriers to their education and saving over one billion rupees
He was honored with the International Confederation of Non-Governmental Organizations, and the United Nations presented the Karmaveer Chakra Award and Global Fellowship Award in 2021 for his impactful contributions to social reform and youth empowerment.

Youth Parliament Program

In 2016, Askani founded the Youth Parliament Program, aimed at fostering civic engagement and leadership among the youth. The program provides a platform for discussing pressing societal issues and developing innovative solutions and young people to learn about parliamentary procedures, debate policy issues, and develop leadership skills.
  • The program has received accolades for its focus on education and youth participation.
  • empowering young minds by organizing Model Youth Parliament sessions, Leadership Bootcamp

Swatantrata Center

In 2019, Askani co-founded the Swatantrata Center, focusing on policy advocacy and economic reforms. The organization emphasizes empowering youth through workshops, conferences, and public discussions.