Jha's roots lie in the academic realm. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from Delhi University, where he also served as a professor and head of the department. This academic grounding informs his nuanced understanding of social issues, evident in his speeches and writings on caste, class, and marginalized communities.

His transition to politics in 2018, when he was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, marked a new chapter. However, it wasn't an abrupt shift. Jha had long been engaged in activism and public discourse, writing columns for leading newspapers and participating in social movements. His entry into the RJD, the party of Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, came naturally, aligning his principles of social justice with the party's core values.

Jha's rise within the RJD has been swift. He quickly established himself as a vocal critic of the government, holding it accountable on issues ranging from economic policies to human rights violations. His articulate and informed interventions in the Rajya Sabha have garnered respect across party lines, even as they challenge the status quo.