Chandigarh, September 6, 2025 — Professor Rani Devi Rawat, a distinguished environmental scientist, has formally entered politics by becoming a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The induction was led by Haryana BJP President Pandit Mohan Lal Badoli, who welcomed her into the party fold with a traditional saffron scarf.
At 50, Rani Devi holds a PhD from IIT Delhi and previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor in the Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa. Her academic credentials and global exposure—spanning roles as a UNDP visiting faculty in Ethiopia, a European Commission fellow in the Netherlands, and a British Council Young Scientist awardee—highlight her reputation as a globally recognized scientist.
Her transition into the political arena is deeply rooted in a longstanding legacy, being married into the Rawat family of Palwal. Her father-in-law, the late Chaudhary Bhagwan Sahay Rawat, served as a two-time MLA from Hathin. Her husband holds a senior position in Haryana’s food supply department, and she balances her public life with the responsibilities of raising two children.
During her induction, Rani Devi praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for women empowerment. She commended initiatives such as Lado Lakshmi, calling them instruments of social transformation. Emphasizing the significance of enhancing women’s representation in legislatures, she declared, “With India embracing 33% reservation for women, it is time for more women leaders with strong academic and professional backgrounds to step forward.”
Rani Devi also unveiled plans to launch a mass membership drive in the Rawat Pal area, aimed at mobilizing public support behind the BJP’s vision for Haryana. Her entry into politics is both symbolic and strategic: symbolic in representing the increasing role of women and scholars in Haryana’s political fabric, and strategic due to Hathin’s political significance, where her family name still carries considerable weight.