Dhruva Kumar

Dhruva Kumar
Prof Dhruva Kumar
Born
Motihari, Bihar
NationalityIndia Indian
EducationUniversity of Dundee, Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Strathclyde, City of Glasgow College, Glasgow
Occupations
  • Educationist
  • political activist
Political partyAlba Party
Websitewww.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk

Dhruva Kumar (born 10 December 1987) is an Indian-born educationist, maritime engineer, and political activist based in Glasgow, Scotland.[1]

In 2024, he contested the UK general election for the Glasgow South constituency as a candidate of the Alba Party, a Scottish nationalist and pro-independence political party in Scotland.[2]

Early life and education

Dhruva Kumar was born in the Motihari district of Bihar, India.[3] He attended Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in his hometown before moving to Kota, Rajasthan, for higher secondary studies.[4]

In 2006, Kumar moved to Scotland, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Electronic Systems Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University, followed by advanced qualifications in education and leadership from the University of Dundee.[5]

Kumar later became a senior researcher at the University of Strathclyde, focusing on autonomous and unmanned vessel systems.[6] In 2018, he was appointed Head of Curriculum for Marine Engineering at the City of Glasgow College, where he oversees training for approximately one-third of the United Kingdom's marine engineering apprentices.[7] Kumar has expressed support for the Scottish independence movement, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Satyagraha.[8]

Career in education and maritime engineering

Dhruva Kumar began his professional career in the maritime industry before transitioning into education.[9] In 2018, he was appointed Head of Curriculum for Marine Engineering at the City of Glasgow College, where he oversees training for approximately one-third of the United Kingdom's marine engineering apprentices.[10]

His research has focused on autonomous shipping, integration of automation, and sustainable practices within maritime engineering.[11] He has also examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maritime education and training, proposing strategic frameworks to enhance the resilience of such systems.[12]

In addition to his academic work, Kumar has been active in political and social spheres in Scotland, contributing to discussions on education policy, skills development, and the challenges posed by automation and climate change in the shipping industry.[13]

Political career

An advocate for Scottish independence, Dhruva Kumar is involved in Scottish politics as a member of the Alba Party. He attempted to contest in the Glasgow South constituency during the UK general elections 2024 and serves as Media Coordinator for the Alba Friends of India group.[14] Kumar frequently engages in public debates and has written extensively on Indo-UK relations, racial and religious tolerance, and sustainable development. The Times reported on Kumar's selection by the Alba Party, highlighting his support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his history of making inflammatory social media remarks, including derogatory comments about "half breeds" and criticisms of the Nehru-Gandhi family.[15]

Political Advocacy in Glasgow

Dhruva Kumar voiced strong opposition to the planned closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, describing it as a critical economic and industrial asset for Scotland. He highlighted the refinery's contributions to Scotland's GDP and employment, emphasizing the importance of preserving high-quality technical jobs in the region. Kumar called for immediate government intervention, including modernization investments and consideration of nationalization, to ensure the site's viability and alignment with net-zero goals. He labeled the closure an act of "industrial vandalism" and urged public and political action to prevent it.[16]

Contribution to Combating Hinduphobia in Scotland

In April 2025, Dhruva Kumar, serving as General Secretary of the Gandhian Peace Society, co-authored a report titled Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice, which was presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice.[17] The report documented incidents of prejudice, including temple vandalism, workplace discrimination, and social marginalisation faced by Scotland’s Hindu community, which constitutes around 0.3% of the population.[18]

The findings formed the basis for Motion S6M-17089, tabled by MSP Ash Regan in April 2025, marking the first parliamentary motion in Scotland—and in the UK—to formally condemn Hinduphobia.[18] The motion received cross-party support and commended the Gandhian Peace Society’s efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue, social cohesion, and legislative measures for religious equality.[17] Kumar’s work has been described as a significant milestone in applying Gandhian principles of non-violence and social justice to institutional reform and awareness-raising on religious discrimination in Scotland.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi-RaGa posts spark row". Time of India. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ^ "UK elections: Indian-origin candidate Dhruva Kumar seeks independence for Scotland". India Today. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  3. ^ "यूके के ग्लास्गो में चम्पारण के लाल से मिले पीएम मोदी". Jagran. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  4. ^ "छौड़ादानो के प्रो ध्रुव स्कॉटलैंड में सांसदी का लड़ रहे हैं चुनाव". Prabhat Khabar. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Bihari in Scotland election". ETV Bharat. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Report on 4th International Web Conference on Advanced Research in Civil Engineering". Reva University. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi, RaGa posts spark row". MSN. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi, RaGa posts spark row". MSN. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi, RaGa posts spark row". MSN. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Scottish poll candidate's PM Modi, RaGa posts spark row". MSN. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  11. ^ Kumar, Dhruva (2021). "Identification of Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) risk in pandemic restrictions". International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) and Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport – via ResearchGate.
  12. ^ Kumar, Dhruva (2021). "Identification of Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) risk in pandemic restrictions". International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) and Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport – via ResearchGate.
  13. ^ "Pro-independence leaders must now heed Alex Salmond's call for unity". The National. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Glasgow South results". BBC News. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Alba picks radical Hindu for Glasgow seat with big Muslim population". The Times. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Grangemouth oil refinery closure is not just an industrial issue". The National Scot. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "From Bihar to Scotland: Dhruva Kumar's impact on Scottish politics, social justice, trade unions, education, and community empowerment". The Wire. 21 April 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Growing bias against Hindus in Scotland; Scottish MP tables motion in House against 'Hinduphobia'". India Today. 21 April 2025.
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