BENGALURU, July 1: Joint opposition candidate Meira Kumar today expressed deep regrets the way the Presidential election was being seen and the ‘ugly’ debate that has engulfed the country that it was a fight between two Dalits.
Speaking to reporters here after seeking votes from Congress and Janata Dal (S) legislators in her favour in the election, she said it was a shame that such a debate had taken place.
”I am really worried why this is happening. But I am happy that such debate has removed the ‘veil’ of how people think even in 2017 when the country had entered modern times. Even people who are highly educated have not shun casteist mentalities. I have realised this with much pain. I am worried why this continues to happen,” she said.
Ms Kumar asked why such questions or debate was not raised during other Presidential elections contested by candidates that belong to forward communities. Earlier people used to discuss about Presidential candidates.
”Earlier people never discussed the caste of Presidential candidates but on their character, experience, ability and so on. They never discussed which caste they belonged to.”
”But when Ram Nath Kovind and I have stood for the election this debate on cast has cropped up and nothing else is being discussed. Where are we standing at present. Everyone want development of the society and nation and other facilities improve.But we must make it sure that even our thinking be above board and not caste based. But we are not doing,” she regretted.
She said there was so much discrimination among castes still present that Dalits are being looked down with disdain. This was a sorry state of affairs and a shame that the most prestigious election in the country, had been ‘Dalitised’.
The country should come out of such thinking.
She said raising issues on atrocities on Dalits and oppression of such backward communities and people standing up against it was welcome. But how correct is it to bring caste factor in a Presidential poll, she asked. (UNI)
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