Satish Jarkiholi is an Indian politician, businessman, and social worker. He has been a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (MLA) since 2008 and has also served as a Minister in different state governments in Karnataka. He is known for his awareness campaigns against Hindu superstitions.
Wiki/Biography
Satish Laxmanrao Jarkiholi was born on Friday, 1 June 1962 (age 61 years; as of 2023) in Gokak, Belgaum, Karnataka, India. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He passed the 12th standard at J. S. S Arts, Science and Commerce College, Gokak in 1981. After his schooling, he ventured into the field of sugar processing business and politics.
A photo of Satish Jarkiholi when he was in his 20s
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 1″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
He belongs to a Hindu Bedara Nayaka/Valmiki family (Scheduled Tribe-ST).
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name was Laxmanrao Jarkiholi who was involved in the illegal liquor trade. His father married twice. Satish has four brothers and four sisters. His brothers named Ramesh Jarkiholi, Balachandra Jarkiholi, Bhimshi Jarkiholi, and Lakhan Jarkiholi are also politicians. Although they belong to different parties, they share a deep brotherly bond and always try to ensure that one of them remains in government.
A photo of Satish Jarkiholi (second from left, standing) with his parents and brothers
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Shakuntala Jarkiholi. The couple has a daughter named Priyanka Jarkiholi and a son named Rahul Jarkiholi.
Satish Jarkiholi’s wife, Shakuntala Jarkiholi
Satish Jarkiholi with his daughter, Priyanka Jarkiholi, and son, Rahul Jarkiholi
Religion/Religious Views
He follows Hinduism; however, he actively works to spread awareness against Hindu superstitions. On 6 December every year (B. R. Ambedkar’s birthday), he sleeps in a cemetery. He often files his election nominations in Rahu Kaal or Rahu Kalam, a time period which is considered bad for any good works. He is the President of Kalyan Rajya in Karnataka, a movement against superstitions, and Chairman of Manava Bandhutva Vedike, an organisation against superstitions.
Address
Hill Garden, Gokak-591307, Belgaum District
Career
Politics
In 1992, while working as a director of the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank, he entered politics. From 1998 to 2008, he won two elections as an MLC from Belgaum District Local Authorities Constituency. He was a member of Janata Dal till 1999 and joined Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) in 1999 and was its member till 2005.
A photo of Satish Jarkiholi during a government meeting
In 2006, he joined Indian National Congress (INC). Since 2008, he has been a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Yemakanmardi constituency. On 11 March 2020, he became the Working President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
A photo of Satish Jarkiholi (extreme right) with Rahul Gandhi (second from left)
Ministry portfolios
From 2004 to 2005, he was a Minister of State for Textiles in the Government of Karnataka. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Minister of Excise in Siddaramaiah cabinet. From 2018 to 2019, he served as the Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment in H. D. Kumaraswamy’s cabinet. He also became a cabinet minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet in 2023.
Satish Jarkiholi taking oath as a cabinet minister in 2023
First defeat in elections
He contested in 2021 Lok Sabha (LS) by-elections from the Belagavi (Belgaum) constituency after the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Angadi. Suresh’s wife, Mangala Suresh Angadi, contested the elections on a BJP ticket, and she handed Satish, his first electoral defeat in almost 30 years, by a margin of 5240 votes.
Satish Jarkiholi speaking at a party function
Business
He looks after his family businesses of sugar processing and the factories Satish Sugars Ltd., Belgaum Sugars Pvt. Ltd., Ghataprabha Cooperative Sugar Mill, Soubhagya Laxmi Sugars Ltd., and Shri Laxmanrao Jarkiholi Sugars Ltd. He also started a mining company J&G Mines and Minerals Exports Ltd in 2005. He also looks after Gokak Steels Ltd.
Satish Jarkiholi owns many businesses
Social Work
He has set up a social organisation called Sanjivini Welfare Foundation. He also gives monetary awards and scholarships to underprivileged students.
Satish Jarkiholi speaking at a public function
Controversies
Murder Case
In 1989, a criminal case was registered against him, his brother, Bhimshi Jarkiholi, and his father, Laxmanrao Jarkiholi for killing three persons. It was alleged that they had personal enmity with those people. He was later acquitted as the court said that he was pushed into the field of crime by his father.
Comments about the ‘Hindu’ word
In November 2022, a video became viral, in which he was saying that the word ‘Hindu’ meaning is very dirty, and it has a Persian origin. He later claimed that there should be a discussion about the word Hindu and its origins.
“हिंदू शब्द कहां से आया? यह फ़ारसी है। भारत का क्या संबंध है? यह आपका कैसे हो गया हिंदू, चर्चा होनी चाहिए”
◆ कर्नाटक कांग्रेस के कार्यकारी राज्य अध्यक्ष सतीश जरकीहोली pic.twitter.com/U5kE3maJo3
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) November 7, 2022
Car Collection
He owns a Mahindra Scorpio.
Income
His income for the financial year 2021-22 was Rs 3,20,92,650.
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 1,02,16,315
- Bonds, Debentures, Shares in Companies: Rs 7,58,52,070
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 4,81,000
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 11,49,07,300
- Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 99,15,37,953
- Residential Buildings: Rs. 21,66,32,376
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2023. It excludes the assets owned by his wife and dependents (minor).
Net Worth
Shivakumar’s net worth for the financial year 2022-2023 was estimated to be Rs. 163 crores. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- He liked playing sports and reading books during his youth years.
- He is one of the richest Karnataka MLAs and owns a helicopter as well.
