India Selects ‘Untouchable’ as President
For the first time, a member of the lowest class in Hinduism has been selected this nation’s president, a symbolic victory for millions of Indians once labeled “untouchables.”
Kocheril Raman Narayanan, 76, was elected by members of the national and state legislatures. Although the vote was conducted Monday, ballots were not counted until Thursday.
Narayanan, currently the vice president, received 4,231 votes. His nearest rival, T. N. Seshan, got 240.
Narayanan will be sworn in July 25, a day after the five-year term of current President Shankar Dayal Sharma expires.
Though the post is largely ceremonial--the prime minister, currently Inder Kumar Gujral, runs the country--the symbolism of Narayanan’s election was powerful.
Hinduism, the religion practiced by most Indians, divides society into four castes and an additional fifth, lowliest class commonly called Dalits, or “oppressed people.”
Although today it is illegal to discriminate against Dalits, few have risen as far as Narayanan. Dalits make up an estimated 25% of India’s population.
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