People’s President

Ram Nath Kovind, former Governor of Bihar, has been elected as the 14th president of India. There is joy and happiness all over the country at his election. He comes from a very poor family. He will be people’s president. Though he is not going to be the first Dalit President, his pro-poor image may help uplift the lives of crores of Dalits and weaker section of the society in the country by influencing the govt. to work for them. President’s prime duty is also to protect Constitution, and he is there for the aid and advice to the Prime Minister. Before Kovind, K R Narayanan was the 10th President of India. He was also a Dalit, but there could not be any improvement in the lives of poor Dalits. So, it is political parties’ views that the Dalit President would be helpful in improving the lives of crores of the poor Dalits. They only play politics over Dalits for the sake of vote bank politics. It is not necessary to be in the high constitutional posts like President and Prime Minister, Minister to uplift Dalits and other poor sections of the society. Since Independence this theory is being forwarded by political parties, Dalits and the poor are in the same place as they were before Independence. To uplift Dalits and the people belonging to other poor sections of society, the person in power should only have poor bent of mind. His or her image must be poor. BJP had played a master stroke by announcing the name of Ram Nath Kovind as presidential nominee to give the message among Dalits that the government is thinking of their uplift as he comes from a Dalit family. Ram Nath Kovind’s election as the 14 President of India was a foregone conclusion as the number in Electoral College for was in favour of NDA. Kovind got 66% majority of votes and won convincingly. This is the beauty of democracy that the person with poor background has been elected 14 President of India. He is expected to protect and keep the Constitution and its values intact. He is also to uphold democratic values and the prestige of the highest constitutional post of the nation. All Dalits and the poor have high expectation of him that he would facilitate the poor friendly measures through the government. Though President has been described by many constitutionalists as Rubber stamp, the prestige of the post cannot be undermined. He is expected to be people’s president as his predecessor former President Abdul Kalam. As Ram Nath Kovind will be 14th President, most of his predecessors were illustrious personalities. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the country. He was a veteran freedom fighter and a brilliant student. He was succeeded by Sarvpalli Radha Krishnan. He was a world renowned philosopher. Former President Abdul Kalam was a world renowned scientist. Former President K R Narayayan apart from being a Dalit, he was also career diplomat. Kovind’s immediate predecessor incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee has been a veteran politician, who brought the presidency nearer to the people. He is well aware of the prevailing condition of the poor in the country. President designate Ram Nath Kovind has also great responsibility to come up to the expectation of the people and keep the prestige of the presidency intact. As he comes from the poor family, he will pursue the govt. to take measures to eliminate poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy from the nation. The community to which Kovind belongs has been the poorest of the poor in society. So, Dalits have great hope of him. With his election as 14 the President, Ram Nath Kovind became apolitical. Now, no political influence on him would work. As a governor of Bihar, Kovind had been non-controversial and always supported the good moves made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kovind knows the constitutional values very well. He has also been a layer in Supreme Court. So, President designate Ram Nath Kovind will protect the constitution and uphold the democratic values.