When one thinks of Shri OP Jindal, the first images that come to mind are steel mills, ambitious factories and an industrial empire built from a modest steel workshop in Hisar, Haryana. Yet, another essential dimension of his legacy lies in his political life, where he carried the same vision of self-reliance, national development and inclusive growth that shaped his business journey.
Born on 7 August 1930 in a modest village in Haryana, OP Jindal rose from humble beginnings to build a growing industrial presence by the 1980s. But even as his enterprises flourished, he recognised that expanding factories and steel plants alone could not resolve deeper national challenges such as unreliable energy supply, weak infrastructure, and social inequalities.
For him, the transition from industry to politics was not about personal ambition. It was an extension of his belief that industrial capacity, public policy and social upliftment must work together for India’s long-term progress. When he entered public life, he carried with him the lived experience of building and sustaining industries. These insights shaped his approach to governance.
Political Career: Service, Representation and Responsibility
OP Jindal’s political journey reflected his desire to work directly for the people. He won the Hisar seat in the Haryana Legislative Assembly in 1991 and reclaimed it in the 2000 and 2005 elections. Each victory strengthened his connection with the region where he had first built his industrial roots.
His public mandate expanded when he contested the 1996 Lok Sabha election and won, becoming the Member of Parliament for Kurukshetra. This brought his vision to the national stage, allowing him to speak about how India could progress further. While releasing his biography, ‘The Man who Talked to Machines: The Story of Om Prakash Jindal’ in 2005, the then Prime Minister, Late Shri Manmohan Singh, distinctly recalled OP Jindal’s speech at the Special Sitting of the Lok Sabha in August 1997, convened to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India’s Independence. The Prime Minister said that OP Jindal stressed the importance of improving our infrastructure. “Om Prakashji placed equal emphasis on the development of physical infrastructure — such as roads, telecommunication services and transport facilities — as well as social infrastructure to build our Nation.”
Merging Industrial Knowledge with Policy Insights
In March 2005, OP Jindal was sworn in as Haryana’s Minister of Power; a role deeply aligned with his lifelong belief that reliable electricity was essential for both industry and everyday life. His tenure was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash on 31 March 2005, ending a promising new chapter in public service that had only just begun.
Yet, his political record, though brief in ministerial office, reflected decades of thinking about how governance, industry and community priorities could converge. It cemented him as a public representative shaped not only by policy but by practical experience.
What made OP Jindal’s political contribution distinctive was his ability to bring industrial insight to governance. Having built and managed steel plants, he understood the challenges of energy shortages, raw material constraints, logistics delays and skill development. This grounded perspective was rare in political circles
As MLA, MP, and later minister, he consistently argued for strengthening manufacturing, expanding energy infrastructure and modernising industry. In public forums, he often spoke about India’s need for robust supply chains, reliable power, and world-class industrial capacity. For him, the boundary between industry and public service was not a line but a bridge. Hence, an important place where practical experience could shape policies for the nation’s benefit.
Social Responsibility, Grassroots Connection and Inclusive Growth
At the heart of OP Jindal’s political philosophy was a deep commitment to social responsibility. He believed that growth must be inclusive, reaching people across caste, creed and economic backgrounds. His concerns extended beyond factories to the daily realities of his constituents.
He pushed for better infrastructure, employment opportunities, education and access to power, seeing these as essential foundations for dignity and progress. His humility and simplicity won him respect across communities, earning him the affectionate name “Bauji”.
What set him apart was the consistency of his values. The same principles that shaped his industrial journey, integrity, accountability and service, defined his approach to public life. His political actions mirrored his belief that industrial success must translate into social upliftment.
Legacy: Beyond 2005 — Foundations That Endure
OP Jindal’s passing was sudden, but the institutions, ideas and values he built continued to influence India’s development. The industrial ecosystem he helped create laid the foundation for what would later evolve into the JSW Group, now spanning steel, energy, infrastructure, cement and more.
His belief that industry and governance must work together continues to shape JSW Group’s public narrative. His legacy is not only in factories or political offices, but in the doctrine he championed: national strength requires both economic capacity and social responsibility.
Even though his tenure as a minister in public office was brief, the principles he stood for endure. OP Jindal's political journey remains an example of how industrial knowledge, when combined with public intent, can contribute to structural change and meaningful growth towards a self-reliant India.
Ambition Aligned with National Purpose
OP Jindal’s political initiatives were framed not as exercises in influence but as efforts to strengthen manufacturing, ensure reliable energy and improve the lives of ordinary citizens. His guiding intent was consistently portrayed as service-driven, transparent and long-term in outlook.
Leadership rooted in technical knowledge and personal integrity can help bridge the divide between private enterprise and public welfare. OP Jindal demonstrated how industrial experience contributes to crafting policies grounded in practicality rather than theory.
His motivations extended beyond electoral cycles or immediate gains. Whether in steelmaking, power supply or constituency development, he worked toward foundations that would outlast him. His legacy shows that when ambition is aligned with national purpose, the impact continues even after a leader’s time has ended.
Together, these lessons form an enduring part of OP Jindal’s political and moral and legacy, inspiring industry, governance and community development even today.
