PRESIDENT OF INDIA – MORE THAN JUST A SYMBOL?

By Ruma Dubey

There was so much brouhaha over the Presidential election, mostly by the media, which could smell an overpowering political story, drowning all other stories. Giving it only a caste angle, we cannot help but wonder what was this election all about anyway.

Look at the various headlines, not just in India but foreign media too; CNN and Independent too gave it a “caste” spin.

Independent headlines screamed, “Ram Nath Kovind: Member of India's lowest caste elected president”

CNN said, “Man from India's lowest caste elected president”

Reuters said, “India low caste leader elected president in boost for Modi coalition”

So what was important in this election – the fact that Ram Nath Kovind won or the fact that he won only because he is a Dalit?  For one of the most ceremonial posts of India, it is a sorry state of affairs if we are still pitching caste and continue to use words like “low caste” – that’s the only identity to the new President of India?

Kovind is not a very big name in the political circles; at least it was not till his name was announced by Modi. A lawyer by profession, he has practiced in both the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. He has never held popularly elected office and lacks an independent power base. Even the latest position that he holds, as governor of Bihar, is because he was appointed by Modi. Prior to that, from 2010 to 2012, he was the national spokesman of the BJP.

Though considered by many as being a mere titular or ceremonial post, it is not as inconsequential as it is made out to be. Every piece of legislation passed by parliament requires the president's sign-off, which means a President, if not chosen right, could delay legislations taken by the Prime minister. And that explains why one needs to have a complaint President, which in turn goes on to explain why there was so much politicking and why Modi picked up a candidate he himself nurtured. The election of Kovind ensures that no one from Rashtrapati Bhavan will question Modi’s decisions.

But then it is very rare that we have had a President who is a rival center of authority. There is no ambiguity there – all powers are vested with the Prime Minister as he stands for popular democratic victory unlike the President. This does not mean that the President is a mere rubber stamp (Pratibha Patil and Sumitra Mahajan notwithstanding); he does have powers but let’s not kid ourselves – it is the Prime Minister who runs the country.

There is also the notion that many a times, the designation of Presidency is given to a leader who has toiled very hard, something like superannuation; a recognition for his/her services. Maybe in some cases it is indeed so but the candidate needs to have that capability.

All said and done, whatever be the reasons why Presidential candidates get nominated and elected, the fact remains that it is that person alone, as President, who can protect the dignity and respect of that designation. He might have all the right ‘ticks’ on the boxes required to qualify for President but what will ultimately matter is how he steps into it and conducts himself – neither his caste nor his past performance, nothing will matter. It is up to Kovind to become either a rubber stamp or a president whom we will remember forever, like Abdul Kalam, R.Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Narayanan and Radhakrishnan. Or he can become another Pratibha Patil – that would then just be a mere titular role or superannuation- whatever you call it.

Let’s not judge the new President and hope that he raises to the stature to which he has been elevated and brings that dignity and respect to the post he will hold from 25^th July.