# Sasmit Patra > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sasmit_Patra > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sasmit_Patra.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasmit_Patra > Source revision: 1350298617 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Indian politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Sasmit Patra | native_name = ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର | native_name_lang = or | image = | caption = | birth_name = Sasmit Patra | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|03|23|df=y}} | birth_place = [Cuttack](/source/Cuttack) | office = [Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha) | constituency = [List of Rajya Sabha members from Odisha](/source/List_of_Rajya_Sabha_members_from_Odisha) | term_start = 28 June 2019 | office1 = [https://sansad.in/rs/about/panel-of-vice-chairmen Member of Panel of Vice Chairpersons (Rajya Sabha)] | alongside1 = [Dinesh Sharma (politician)](/source/Dinesh_Sharma_(politician)), [Bhubaneswar Kalita](/source/Bhubaneswar_Kalita), [S. Phangnon Konyak](/source/S._Phangnon_Konyak), [Rajani Ashokrao Patil](/source/Rajani_Ashokrao_Patil), [Tiruchi Siva](/source/Tiruchi_Siva), [M. Thambidurai](/source/M._Thambidurai), [Sasmit Patra](/source/Sasmit_Patra) | term_start1 = from | term_end = | party = [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) | profession = Politician, Lawyer, Academician | education = [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.), [MBA](/source/MBA), [LLB](/source/LLB) | alma_mater = [Utkal University](/source/Utkal_University), BJB Autonomous College | spouse = Sweta Millicent Paul | children = 1 son and 1 daughter | father = Swarupananda Patra | mother = Rashmi Mohapatra | website = | footnotes = }} '''Sasmit Patra''' ({{langx|or|'''ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର'''}}) is an [Indian politician](/source/Indian_politician), [academician](/source/academician), and lawyer, currently serving as a [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha) in the [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha),{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/NewMembers/RetLMemState.aspx|title=Statewise Retirement|website=164.100.47.5|access-date=2019-06-28}} representing [Odisha](/source/Odisha). Known for his articulate speeches and active participation in parliamentary debates. He is currently national [Spokesperson](/source/Spokesperson) of [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) and also holds the position of the Chief Whip of the party in the [upper house](/source/Rajya_Sabha).{{Cite web|url=http://bjdodisha.org.in/news-details/974/2103|title=Shri Naveen Patnaik president Naveen Patnaik appointed Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra as the chief whip of the party.}} He was renominated to the [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) by [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) for a second term in May 2022. ==Early life and education== Sasmit Patra was born to ''Dr. Swarupananda Patra'' and ''Rashmi Mohapatra''. His father was the president of the Odisha Minority Forum (OMF).{{Cite news|url=https://sambadenglish.com/sasmit-patra-new-head-odisha-minority-forum/|title=Sasmit Patra New Head Of Odisha Minority Forum|work=The Sambad}} Patra belongs to a [Christian](/source/Christian) family. Dr. Patra pursued his education at [Utkal University](/source/Utkal_University), [Bhubaneswar](/source/Bhubaneswar), and Allahabad Agricultural Institute (Deemed University), [Prayagraj](/source/Prayagraj), [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh). His academic qualifications include: * [Ph.D](/source/Ph.D). (Business Management) * [MBA](/source/MBA) (specialization in HR) * [LLB](/source/LLB) (Law Graduate) * [B.A.](/source/B.A.) (Education Hons.) Dr. Patra married '''Sweta Millicent Paul''', an academician by profession, on 6 February 2004. The couple resides in [Bhubaneswar](/source/Bhubaneswar), [Odisha](/source/Odisha). ==Professional career== Before entering politics, Dr. Patra had a diverse professional career spanning academia, public policy, governance, and law: * Worked on a [UNDP](/source/UNDP)-[Government of Odisha](/source/Government_of_Odisha) development project. * Held teaching roles in [organizational behavior](/source/organizational_behavior) and [human resource management](/source/human_resource_management). * Practiced law on a [pro bono](/source/pro_bono) basis. * Contributed to [public policy](/source/public_policy) development through his work with the [Odisha government](/source/Government_of_Odisha). * Distinguished professor, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon He has an extensive academic background and has served as the Dean of '''Xavier-Emlyon Business School''', a joint collaboration between [Xavier University](/source/XIM_University), [Bhubaneswar](/source/Bhubaneswar) and [Emlyon Business School](/source/Emlyon_Business_School), [France](/source/France). ==Political career== Dr. Patra has wide-ranging experience of working across all four pillars of democracy – legislature, executive, judiciary and media. His key roles include: * [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha) ([Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha)) * Member of Vice-Chairmen Panel of Rajya Sabha{{Cite news |title=Vice-President reconstitutes Vice-Chairmen Panel, BJD MP Sasmit Patra reappointed |url=https://kalingatv.com/odisha/vice-president-reconstitutes-vice-chairmen-panel-bjd-mp-sasmit-patra-reappointed/ |work=Kalinga TV}} * Member, Parliamentary Departmental Standing Committee on Human Resource Development which covers the [Ministry of HRD](/source/Ministry_of_HRD_(India)), [Women and Child Development](/source/Ministry_of_Women_and_Child_Development), [Skill Development and Entrepreneurship](/source/Ministry_of_Skill_Development_and_Entrepreneurship), and [Sports and Youth Affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Youth_Affairs_and_Sports) * Member, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Office of Profit, Privileges, General Purposes, and Ethics * National Spokesperson and Media Coordinator, [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) * Secretary and Member of State Council of [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) as well as Member of the BJD’s IT Wing Core Committee. As of January 2024, according to the official records of the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Patra has asked 436 questions, introduced 16 Private Members' Bills, and participated in 1,388 debates in the Rajya Sabha, with an overall attendance of 92%, including 100% attendance in 10 out of 14 sessions since July 2019.{{Cite web |title=About Dr Sasmit Patra |url=https://bitslawschool.edu.in/faculty/prof-dr-sasmit-patra |website=BITS Law School}} ==Controversies== In April 2025, Dr. Patra faced criticism within his party for creating confusion over voting on the [Waqf (Amendment) Bill](/source/The_Waqf_(Amendment)_Bill%2C_2024) in the [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha).{{Cite news |title=BJD in turmoil over Waqf Bill vote: Naveen Patnaik urged to act against MP Sasmit Patra for voting in favour of legislation |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjd-in-turmoil-over-waqf-bill-vote-naveen-patnaik-urged-to-act-against-mp-sasmit-patra-for-voting-in-favour-of-legislation/articleshow/120015216.cms |work=The Times of India}} Despite the BJD's decision to oppose the bill, Patra publicly stated that MPs could vote according to their conscience, leading to internal discord among party members.{{Cite news |title=Internal 'discontent' surfaces in BJD over shift on Waqf Amendment Bill stand |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/internal-discontent-surfaces-in-bjd-over-shift-on-waqf-amendment-bill-stand-latest-updates-2025-04-06-984229 |work=India TV News}} Several senior leaders demanded disciplinary action against him for allegedly contradicting party directives and causing damage to its image among minority communities.{{Cite news |title=Double standards won't be tolerated: BJD MP Munna Khan criticizes Sasmit Patra over Waqf Bill vote |url=https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/double-standards-won-t-be-tolerated-munna-khan-criticizes-sasmit-patra-259742 |work=O TV}} ==See also== * [Biju Janata Dal](/source/Biju_Janata_Dal) * [Naveen Pattnaik](/source/Naveen_Patnaik) * [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) * [Politics of Odisha](/source/Politics_of_Odisha) * [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha), [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) == References == {{reflist}} About {{DEFAULTSORT:Patra, Sasmit}} Category:Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences alumni Category:Biju Janata Dal politicians Category:Rajya Sabha members from Odisha Category:Living people Category:1979 births --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sasmit Patra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasmit_Patra) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasmit_Patra?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.