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Shantanu Thakur
Current Position

Shantanu Thakur

Current

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Member of Parliament & Union Minister, Bangaon Constituency
West Bengal
Written & Reviewed by: PNW Editorial Team
Last Updated: July 11, 2026
Fact-Checked

Profile Summary

  • Shantanu Thakur is a prominent Indian politician serving as the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and Member of Parliament for the Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal.
  • He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has won consecutive general elections in 2019 and 2024.
  • As the Sanghadhipati (spiritual chief) of the Matua Mahasangha, he holds vast influence over the Matua socio-religious community.
  • His legislative agenda highlights the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), border community development, and inland waterway infrastructure.
Source: ECI, PIB India, Lok Sabha Digital Sansad

About Shantanu Thakur

Shantanu Thakur’s political standing bridges modern governance with the spiritual leadership of the Matua community, a highly influential demographic in West Bengal. Born on 3 August 1982 in Thakurnagar, he is the grandson of the iconic Matua matriarch Binapani Devi (Boro Maa) and the son of former state minister Manjesh Chandra Thakur. Growing up at the heart of the Matua Mahasangha headquarters, his early life was immersed in community service and religious organization. He pursued higher education in hospitality management and arts, gaining international exposure before returning to assume full organizational responsibilities. In 2019, he successfully transitioned into electoral politics, winning the Bangaon (SC) Lok Sabha seat for the BJP with a landslide victory and subsequently joining the Union Council of Ministers. Re-elected to the 18th Lok Sabha in 2024, his national focus remains dedicated to securing citizenship rights for refugee communities, modernizing strategic border highway grids, and expanding logistics capabilities along India’s eastern maritime lines.

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Education

1998
Secondary Schooling from Thakurnagar High School
2000
Higher Secondary Certification from West Bengal Council
2004
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Karnataka State Open University
2006
Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management from Holmes Institute, Sydney, Australia

Political Journey

2019
Appointed Sanghadhipati of Matua Mahasangha
2019
Elected to the 17th Lok Sabha from Bangaon
2021
Appointed as Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways
2024
Re-elected to the 18th Lok Sabha

Positions Held

  • 2019 - Present
    Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
  • 2021 - Present
    Union Minister of State (Ports, Shipping, and Waterways)

Election History

Election Constituency Year Result Votes Vote % Margin
Lok Sabha Bangaon 2019 Won 687622 48.85% 1,11,594
Lok Sabha Bangaon 2024 Won 719505 47.75% 73,693

Assets & Liabilities (As per recent Affidavit)

Total Assets ₹ 3.34 Crore
Movable Assets ₹ 1.15 Crore
Immovable Assets ₹ 2.19 Crore
Total Liabilities ₹ 1.72 Crore
Figures are self-declared in election affidavits and are not independently audited by Peoplenetworth Team.

Major Policies & Initiatives

  • CAA Implementation Frameworks: Successfully advocating for administrative structures and baseline verification systems under the Citizenship Amendment Act
  • Inland Waterways Integration: Launching multi-modal terminal enhancements and dredging protocols along the National Waterways
  • Matua Socio-Economic Support: Establishing centralized development grants and cultural community spaces for underserved Matua clusters
  • Border Access Security: Optimizing customs procedures and heavy infrastructure links at the Petrapole integrated land port

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Shantanu Thakur?

Shantanu Thakur is an Indian politician serving as the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and an MP representing Bangaon.

What is his spiritual role?

He is the Sanghadhipati (spiritual chief) of the Matua Mahasangha, a major socio-religious community in West Bengal and India.

Which political party does he represent?

He represents the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

What is his educational qualification?

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management from Sydney, Australia.

What is his main legislative focus?

His core political and legislative focus has been the execution and facilitation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for refugee families.