When will India have its Obama moment

Not until we have the first Muslim or Dalit PM

It has taken 200 years for the United States to create history, which they did! Finally they elected a black president into the White House. Yes, many around the world have expressed happiness over Barack Obama being voted to the top US post, the President.

His victory is a symbolic for all those downtrodden and deprived, be they ethinic or religious minorities. Yes, everyone is happy. The surprising part is even the elite and upper castes of Indian origin are ecstatic over Obama's election victory.
 
Even if a drastic change in American politics rule doesn't happen, history has been made. Now, back home, this is of great significance. I do feel happy that the US, as usual, has set a trend. The US has always set certain parameters and been at the forefront of revolutionary change.

As Indians we have always looked up to the West, and, let's be clear, the United States. We do take a lot from them, and a lot that we often distort and blame on them. However, I do think a lot of our culture has been strongly influenced by the US.

Since 1947, India has NOT had a single Muslim or Dalit Prime Minister. Is it necessary? Yes, definitely. There has repeatedly been a representation of the Brahmin community, whether a Kashmiri Pandit or Telegu or Mahrashtrian Brahmin. The claims made by Brahmins have been that they are a minority; they are no more the big community they were. In that case, their representation should be stopped, which is of course is not happening.

Yet, over the last 61 years we have had only upper caste PMs. There has been no Muslim or Dalit prime minister. In fact, after the 1992 blunder made by this country's administrators - the pulling down of the Babri Masjid - we definitely need a Muslim representation. Making a Muslim PM may not erase the effect of that error, but it is definitely the least we, as a nation, can do.

Instead at every step we demand the minority community display their national pride, support to the nation, and openly declare their nationality. This is never asked from the elite members of other communities, including Brahmins.

When incidents like the beating up of students from UP and Bihar, Maharashtrians are never asked to openly condemn these heinous attacks. They are not asked to prove their nationality. The reason being that these are the people who decide policy and norms.

Take the example of Dalits. Despite being a democratic and secular country, we still have archaic beliefs in the caste system. A person who is a Dalit, Matang, Mahar or Chamar is still prevented from entering a place of worship. Even after the Bhuj earthquake there were reports that Dalits were rehabilitated and re-housed on the periphery of villages, and not in them.

This reflects our mindset. Despite severe laws and penalties, the offenders continue to inflict their biases and divisive actions on society. I am confident that even if it is symbolic, for the sake of making a historic change we need to have a Muslim or Dalit PM.

The minute I passed on an SMS to people saying, "It took the US 200 years to make history and elect a black PM. It is time we got a Dalit or Muslim PM," I got all sorts of reactions.
 
The most popular being: "They will misuse the power once given to them"; "they are not in a position to take on such a responsibility"; and more interestingly, "Why should we have representation from these communities?"

This reflects the popular mindset, which is still very biased, strongly opposed to change, and definitely anti-Dalit or Muslim. We do not want to hand over power to those who are equipped to use it. Yes, the country needs change.

The fact is if we demand that local languages get priority, that everybody be respected, and regions get proper representation by leaders, then the same logic should apply. That every Indian person of any caste or community should get representation, at least once in a lifetime.

Earlier I was not sure that this revolutionary change would take place in my lifetime. But now I am confident. Yes, I know many have criticised and laughed at my words, that Maywati will one day rule this nation. Most despise this prediction, they fear it will come true. I am hoping it will. She has the power, the mindset, and more than that she plays the political game by its rules. I am also hoping there is a Muslim candidate who will spring from somewhere and shine brightly in this country. I know the Constitution of this country says each community and caste needs to be well-represented.

Change is effective when it comes from within, from all levels, and its changes felt by all. We cannot have a monopoly on anything. Like the industrial liberalisation, it is time the political monopoly of the elite and upper castes is removed.

The fears that members and leaders from minority communities are not equipped to handle the highest post, or lack skills to be Prime Minister, are unfounded and parochial. It reflects that the Indian mindset is still in some primitive stage. If India needs to progress, if we want the world to take us seriously and we want every person to be ably represented, it is time we showed the world India is willing to change. We are willing to create history here too, and we will elect our first Muslim or Dalit Prime Minister.
k_neeta@dnaindia.net