India gets new president from bottom of Hindu caste system

• Eastern Eye Staff
• 20 July, 2017

By: Eastern Eye Staff

India elected a new president from the bottom of the Hindu caste system Thursday (20), only the second time since independence a head of state has been chosen from the marginalised group. Ram Nath Kovind won the largely ceremonial position with more than 65 percent of the vote by members of India’s parliament and state assemblies, the election commission said. The 71-year-old former lawyer and state governor from the downtrodden Dalit community was nominated by prime minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party for the post. Analysts said the election of Kovind would help Modi tighten his grip on power and accrue political capital…

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