Draupadi Murmu is India’s first tribal woman president and second woman president.
A woman from a marginalized tribal community was elected President of India on July 21 with the backing of the Prime Minister’s ruling party. Narendra Modifollowing a vote by Parliament.
Draupadi Murmu, belonging to the Santhal tribe, received the support of more than half of the parliamentarians, according to partial results published by the Election Commission. At 64, she becomes the first president from a tribe and the second president of India. Draupadi Murmu, from the eastern Indian state of Odisha, was nominated by Mr Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a candidate for the largely ceremonial post.
“Guardian of the Constitution”
Narendra Modi in a tweet congratulated Draupadi Murmu, pointing out that “his exemplary success motivated every Indian“. “She emerged as a beacon of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalized and oppressed.“, he added.
Draupadi Murmu’s main opponent, Yashwant Sinha, a former BJP member and ex-finance and foreign minister, who was backed by opposition parties, also congratulated the new president. India hopes it will act “as guardian of the Constitution without fear or favor“, he wrote.
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Draupadi Murmu will be India’s second female president after Pratibha Patil, who served for five years from 2007. She succeeds Ram Nath Kovind, the country’s second president from the lowest Dalit community in the caste system, also calledthe Untouchables“. Born in the district of Mayurbhanj in the state of Odisha, she began her professional life as a primary school teacher before taking up political office.
“Tribal Rights”
She has held ministerial posts in the government of that state, and served as governor of the neighboring state of Jharkhand. “As a woman from a tribal community in the remote district of Mayurbhanj, I did not expect to be the candidate for the post.“, she told the press after her appointment by the BJP.
The election of Draupadi Murmu was taken for granted due to the dominance of the BJP and its allies in parliament and state assemblies. As this position is mainly ceremonial, his election should not result in significant changes for tribal communities, long relegated to the margins of society.
“We have been fighting for tribal rights since the 1990sactivist Dayamani Barla told AFP. “She will only be able to do something if she is allowed to use her pen“, he added.
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India’s prime minister holds executive power, but the president can return some bills from parliament for reconsideration. The president also plays a role in the process of forming governments.
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