• Latest
  • Trending

Caste brought to the fore in Indian Presidential election

June 24, 2017
Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 82 sheds

June 28, 2022
Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

Lanka IOC restricts sale of Petrol: Limits announced

June 28, 2022
People play rugby at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. [Loren Elliott/ Reuters]

Australia census: Five ways the country is changing

June 28, 2022
Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

June 28, 2022
Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

June 28, 2022
Electricity

Power cut schedule for June 28 in Sri Lanka

June 28, 2022
Russia default

Russia defaults on foreign debt for first time in a century

June 28, 2022
Passengers wait on the platform. The wait may be long. Photo: Tang Lu/Xinhua

Adequate SLTB buses and trains will operate as per schedule

June 28, 2022
Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 116 sheds

June 27, 2022
President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

June 27, 2022
Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

June 27, 2022
Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

June 27, 2022
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 82 sheds

    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC restricts sale of Petrol: Limits announced

    Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

    Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

    Electricity

    Power cut schedule for June 28 in Sri Lanka

    Passengers wait on the platform. The wait may be long. Photo: Tang Lu/Xinhua

    Adequate SLTB buses and trains will operate as per schedule

    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 116 sheds

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

    Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

    Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

    Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    People play rugby at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. [Loren Elliott/ Reuters]

    Australia census: Five ways the country is changing

    Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

    Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

    Russia default

    Russia defaults on foreign debt for first time in a century

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    Is Nepal’s geo-strategic location a bane or a boon?

    Is Nepal’s geo-strategic location a bane or a boon?

    Money

    Here’s how you can become rich by doing nothing

    Fresh transport strikes hit UK, Europe

    Fresh transport strikes hit UK, Europe

    U.S. Supreme Court ends constitutional right to abortion

    U.S. Supreme Court ends constitutional right to abortion

    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ celebrates 25 magical years

    Salman Khan

    Plot to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed

    Shah Rukh Khan's Jawaan, to be directed by Atlee, to scheduled for June 2023 release. (Photo: Twitter)

    Shah Rukh Khan announces new film ‘Jawaan’

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’ becomes 3rd-highest-grossing Hindi film

    Popular Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were married Thursday in a private ceremony at their Mumbai residence. Image credits - Sujit Jaswal via AFP / Getty Images

    Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt marry in Mumbai

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Will Smith

    Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years over slap

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    China finds signs of water in moon’s ‘Ocean of Storms’

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    Beetroot is rich in nitrates and is loaded with health benefits. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Drinking beetroot juice daily could help people with heart condition

    Close-up view of a cancer cell. Credit: Alexey Kotelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

    Massive breakthrough as cancer vanishes for all patients in drug trial

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia. CDC | Getty Images

    The Covid conspiracies being recycled for monkeypox

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    Best exercise time differs for men and women, says US study

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Bitcoin. Image credits - Onov3056

    Bitcoin slides below $20,000 to lowest level in 18 months

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Microsoft's Internet Explorer was first included with a Windows 95 upgrade pack. Image credits - Ina Fried/CNET

    End of an era: Microsoft retires Internet Explorer

    Cryptocurrency boom. Image credits - Executium @executium / Unsplash

    Cryptocurrency market value slumps under $1 trillion

    iPhone. Image credits - Tron Le @tronle_sg / Unsplash

    EU deal to force iPhones to use USB-C charger by 2024

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp to get edit button, undo messages and other features soon 

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 82 sheds

    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC restricts sale of Petrol: Limits announced

    Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

    Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

    Electricity

    Power cut schedule for June 28 in Sri Lanka

    Passengers wait on the platform. The wait may be long. Photo: Tang Lu/Xinhua

    Adequate SLTB buses and trains will operate as per schedule

    Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

    Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 116 sheds

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

    Lankan govt to issue fuel only to essential services from June 27 to July 10

    Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

    Applications invited from Sri Lankans for Indian scholarships

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    People play rugby at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. [Loren Elliott/ Reuters]

    Australia census: Five ways the country is changing

    Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

    Monkeypox case count rises to more than 3,400 globally: WHO

    Russia default

    Russia defaults on foreign debt for first time in a century

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    President Joe Biden has told his officials to extend all help to Sri Lanka

    Is Nepal’s geo-strategic location a bane or a boon?

    Is Nepal’s geo-strategic location a bane or a boon?

    Money

    Here’s how you can become rich by doing nothing

    Fresh transport strikes hit UK, Europe

    Fresh transport strikes hit UK, Europe

    U.S. Supreme Court ends constitutional right to abortion

    U.S. Supreme Court ends constitutional right to abortion

    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ celebrates 25 magical years

    Salman Khan

    Plot to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed

    Shah Rukh Khan's Jawaan, to be directed by Atlee, to scheduled for June 2023 release. (Photo: Twitter)

    Shah Rukh Khan announces new film ‘Jawaan’

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Chchutir diner Gaan by Bangladeshi singer Nondita

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    Song “Bechain Nazar Betaab Jigar”. Talat Mahmood. Film “Yasmin” 1955

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ‘KGF Chapter 2’ becomes 3rd-highest-grossing Hindi film

    Popular Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were married Thursday in a private ceremony at their Mumbai residence. Image credits - Sujit Jaswal via AFP / Getty Images

    Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt marry in Mumbai

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Chand Pyara. Film Khazaana 1951. Music C.Ramchandra. Lyrics Rajinder Krishan

    Will Smith

    Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years over slap

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    This April 2022 handout photograph provided by RR Auction shows cockroaches which were fed moon dust from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which were pulled from an auction listing after NASA said the cockroaches and a small vial of moon dust are property of the federal government. (Photo: AP)

    Give us back our moon dust and cockroaches: Nasa

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    China finds signs of water in moon’s ‘Ocean of Storms’

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    What we should know when we speak of food security?

    Beetroot is rich in nitrates and is loaded with health benefits. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Drinking beetroot juice daily could help people with heart condition

    Close-up view of a cancer cell. Credit: Alexey Kotelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

    Massive breakthrough as cancer vanishes for all patients in drug trial

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    India hands over 3.3 tons of medical supplies to Lanka’s ambulance service

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    Lankan Prez orders LKR 1.8 billion (US$ 5 million) to be spent on drugs import  

    In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia. CDC | Getty Images

    The Covid conspiracies being recycled for monkeypox

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    Best exercise time differs for men and women, says US study

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    High life in troubled Colombo  

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Bitcoin. Image credits - Onov3056

    Bitcoin slides below $20,000 to lowest level in 18 months

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Digital banking platform Revolut launches in Sri Lanka

    Microsoft's Internet Explorer was first included with a Windows 95 upgrade pack. Image credits - Ina Fried/CNET

    End of an era: Microsoft retires Internet Explorer

    Cryptocurrency boom. Image credits - Executium @executium / Unsplash

    Cryptocurrency market value slumps under $1 trillion

    iPhone. Image credits - Tron Le @tronle_sg / Unsplash

    EU deal to force iPhones to use USB-C charger by 2024

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp to get edit button, undo messages and other features soon 

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Around South Asia

Caste brought to the fore in Indian Presidential election

Editor by Editor
June 24, 2017
in Around South Asia, India, Top Story
Reading Time: 4 mins read
2 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

For the first time in the history of Indian Presidential elections, caste has been brought to the fore in the run up to the July 17 Presidential poll, reflecting the nature of politics in the country now, writes P.K.Balachandran in DailyFT.

Both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the opposition United People’s Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by Sonia Gandhi’s Congress party, have put up “Dalits”.

Dalits are a category of castes occupying the lowest rung in the Hindu social order, which in pre-independence days, was dubbed “untouchable” and discriminated against in myriad ways. Seventy years after independence, most Dalits are still at the bottom as hewers of wood and drawers of water, despite reservations or quotas in government jobs, educational institutions and elected bodies.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the BJP led NDA has put up Ram Nath Kovind, the Congess-led UPA has put up Meira Kumar, both Dalits. Kovind is from the Koli caste, and Kumar is from the Jatav caste.

This is the first time that a Dalit is pitted against a Dalit in an Indian Presidential election. When K.R.Naranayan, a South Indian Dalit, was put up by the Congress as its candidate in the 1997 Presidential election, the opposition put up T.N.Seshan, a South Indian Brahmin. At that time, it was a South Indian vs South Indian. Caste was not matched by caste. But this time round, it is Dalit vs Dalit.

Why Dalit?

And the reasons are not far to seek. The BJP desperately needs to cultivate the Dalits, who have traditionally kept away from it, viewing it as a party of the Hindu upper and middle castes who are dead against any affirmative action in favor of the lower castes especially the Dalits.

If the BJP has some support among the Dalits now, it is primarily due to its electoral alliance with parties with a strong Dalit base. But the BJP has to have its own support base among the Dalits because electoral alliances are brittle, being marriages of convenience entered into for limited objectives. This is the reason for putting up a Dalit as the candidate now.

The BJP chose Govind also because of the “electoral saleability” of the Dalits in Indian elections. No Indian political party can dismiss a Dalit candidate off hand. The Dalits have political power because they are a solid vote bank. They are keen participants in the electoral process because they have a special place in the Indian constitution. They are the only caste group other than the tribals, which has seats constitutionally reserved for it in elections. In this context no political party wants to be seen as being “anti-Dalit”.

The “Dalit factor” was a major reason why K.R.Narayanan won against T.N.Seshan in the 1997 Presidential election, though Seshan had an awesome reputation as a fearless and honest civil servant who had rid the Indian electoral system of much of its corruption. Of course Narayanan was no small fry. He was a product of the London School of Economics and had been a member of the Indian Foreign Service.

Ram Nath Kovind, Dalit and RSS man at the same time. Photo.Milli Gazette

Hindutwa Factor

For the BJP, an additional advantage of having Kovind as the candidate is that he is a staunch believer in the ideology of the BJP, namely,  “Hindutwa” or Hindu based Indian nationalism. He was an early recruit to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) which provides the BJP with an ideology and a hardcore cadre who are organized in a militaristic fashion.

In 2010, as a spokesman of the BJP, Kovind stoutly defended his party’s  opposition to extending reservation in government jobs to Dalits who had converted to Islam or Christianity. Like a true RSS man, Kovind dubbed Christianity and Islam as “non-Indian” religions. He also said that if reservations were extended to Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam, the Hindu Dalits would suffer.

He said Dalit Christians will walk into jobs because they would have gone to “English medium missionary-run schools”. As for Dalit Muslims, their lot is better because their religious cohorts don’t treat them as harshly as Hindu upper castes do.

All this would be music to the ears of the Hindu upper castes who form the bulk of BJP’s supporters. They would see him as “their man.”

Disciplined Soldier  

Reports say the BJP chose Kovind also because he is quintessentially a party man trained in the RSS tradition to obey the command of his superiors.

As a ceremonial President (India has the Westminster system in which the Head of State is a figurehead), Kovind will have little to do except to officiate at State functions. But he has residual powers under which he can send back to parliament, bills for re-consideration and also has the right to advice and warn the Prime Minister.

Narayanan was a quiet type, but had prevented unconstitutional dismissal of State governments. It remains to be seen if Kovind will be a rubber stamp and a disciplined soldier of the RSS, or will exercise the limited but critical power vested in him by the constitution.

No One-Horse Race

The July 17 Presidential election is by no means a one-horse race as it was thought to be on the day Kovind’s candidature was announced. At that time, the Congress-led UPA was groping in the dark to get a consensus candidate.

With no party decisively dominant in the opposition alliance (in contrast to the NDA where the BJP has decisive dominance), discussions were meandering with parties putting up various names.

The Leftists were pressing for Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Governor of West Bengal and a grandson of Manatma Gandhi. After the BJP came up with a Dalit, the UPA considered several Dalits and finally (pressed by Sonia Gandhi of the Congress), accepted Meira Kumar on the grounds that she is a doughty fighter, has a distinguished lineage, and has a fund of political and administrative experience.

As per the present line up, the BJP-NDA has 63.1% of the votes in the electoral college comprising elected members of parliament and the provincial legislatures. But Kumar’s candidature could throw a spanner in the BJP’s works. Some in the BJP-NDA line up might switch sides on ideological grounds.

Ideological War

As Bihar stalwart Lalu Prasad Yadav put it, this is an ideological war.

“What is at issue here is not the merit of the candidates but their ideologies,” he said.

Congress leader in the Upper House of parliament (Rajya sabha) Gulam Nabi Azad said that the issue is social justice.

“ Meira Kumar is a vigorous campaigner for social justice.”

(The featured picture at the top shows Meira Kumar)   

 

 

 

 

Related Posts

Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 82 sheds

June 28, 2022
Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Lanka IOC restricts sale of Petrol: Limits announced

June 28, 2022
Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies
Around South Asia

Sri Lanka to open fuel import, retail sales market to foreign companies

June 28, 2022
Electricity
Around South Asia

Power cut schedule for June 28 in Sri Lanka

June 28, 2022
Passengers wait on the platform. The wait may be long. Photo: Tang Lu/Xinhua
Around South Asia

Adequate SLTB buses and trains will operate as per schedule

June 28, 2022
Fuel. Image credits - Wassim Chouak / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Lanka IOC dispatches fuel for 116 sheds

June 27, 2022
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for June 28 in Sri Lanka

    43651 shares
    Share 17476 Tweet 10906
  • Foreign Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka; USD, GBP, EUR, SGD, CAD

    1180 shares
    Share 479 Tweet 292
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    784 shares
    Share 326 Tweet 191
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    736 shares
    Share 314 Tweet 176
  • Leader of Bohra community meets President

    668 shares
    Share 271 Tweet 165
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

mersin eskort -

Meritroyalbet

-
Jojobet
- Süperbetin - eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - istanbul avukat