Sanjay Kumar (activist)
Sanjay Kumar is an Indian social/political activist. He is currently the co-director and co-founder of Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan an organization in New Delhi that has worked for the rights of homeless people since 2000.
Kumar has been working in the fields of social work, social policy and research since 2000. His main focus typically lies on the issues of urban poverty, homelessness, underage employment, street dwelling children, old age pension, right to education, right to food and citizenship rights. Kumar is responsible for managing and implementing a campaign in Delhi with hundreds of volunteers to ensure access to shelters, health-care, skill development, and justice for marginalized people. He has been consistently organizing mass events/rallies, conducting census/surveys, documenting and researching interventions, establishing networks and advocacy groups with government departments, other NGOs, and movements. Kumar has been fighting against social inequality, discrimination and sensitizing civil society for the realization of the larger goal of poor people within India.
Education
Dr. Sanjay Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the University of Delhi, specializing in the critical issues of Identity, Citizenship, and the Homeless. His foundational academic background includes a B.A. in History from the University of Delhi and an M.A. in History.In the field of social development and professional practice, he holds a Master of Social Work and has qualified for the UGC-NET in Social Work. His specialized training is further bolstered by two Post Graduate Diplomas: one in Journalism and Mass Communication and another in Rural Development. Currently, he continues to expand his expertise as he is pursuing an L.L.B.
Pioneering Initiatives
Dr. Kumar is credited with several "first-ever" social interventions in India aimed at the systemic inclusion of the homeless population. He initiated the "Beghar Sandesh", a unique program that allowed individuals without a registered address to connect with their families. To ensure political and financial inclusion, he led the first-ever drives to issue Voter ID cards and open savings bank accounts in nationalized banks for people living on the streets. Furthermore, he conceptualized and implemented the first pilot project for the rehabilitation of people engaged in begging for the Government of IndiaPublications and documentations
- Role of Civil Society Organizations towards the Homeless People during the COVID-19 Crisis
- Identity, Citizenship, and the Homeless: A Study of NCT of Delhi
- Treatment of Homeless people with severe Mental Illness: Making a Difference
- Delhi’s Elderly Homeless: Reclaiming Lost Dignity
- 73rd Amendment and Women Participation in Panchayati Raj, IGNOU
- "Begharo Ki Karah" case studies of homeless people
- "Meri Kahani Meri Jubani" The Testimonies of homeless people caught Under Bombay Prevention Of Beggary Act: published in "People Without A Nation" "Towards Reclaiming Our Humanity" - Published by his own NGO Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan