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The first president of tribal origin, Drupadi Murmu, invested Monday in India, replacing Ram Nath Kovind, the second president of the Dalit community, previously called the “untouchables”. “His assumption as president is an important moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalized and oppressed,” said the prime minister.
His role was largely ceremonial, but his coronation was highly symbolic. India’s new president, Droupadi Murmu, was sworn in on Monday (25 July), becoming the country’s first tribal head of state.
Last week, the candidate from Bharatiya Janata (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party, was elected president by parliament, with 64% of the votes of Indian MPs and state assemblies.
Droupadi Murmu, a member of the Santhal Indian tribe, had gathered, shortly before his inauguration, at the memorial dedicated to India’s independence hero, Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi.
Born in Mayurbhanj district, in the (western) state of Odisha, the president-elect started his career as a teacher before going into politics.
“My life journey began in a small tribal village,” said 64-year-old Droupadi Murmu after being sworn in before parliament.
“In the environment where I grew up, having a simple basic education was like a dream for me”, he continued, “but despite the many obstacles, my determination remained strong and I became the first girl from my village to enter university.”
“Important moment for India”
Drupadi Murmu is the country’s second president after Pratibha Patil, who has held the post for five years since 2007. He replaces Ram Nath Kovind, the second president of the Dalit community, previously called “untouchables”, in the system’s lowest Hindu caste.
Drupadi Murmu’s victory is expected, given the weight of the BJP, its ally in parliament and in state assemblies, which elects India’s head of state.
Analysts say the win is likely to help Narendra Modi expand his base in the tribal community, given his re-election in 2024.
“His assumption as president is an important moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalized and oppressed,” the prime minister wrote on Twitter on Monday.
The whole nation watched with pride as Smt. Draupadi Murmu Ji takes the oath as President of India. He assumed that the Presidency was an important moment for India especially for the poor, marginalized and oppressed. I wish the President all the best for a fruitful term. pic.twitter.com/xcqBqRt2nc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2022
According to Drupadi Murmu, his appointment as head of state should provide a reason for hope for those who are lagging behind India’s economic growth.
“It gives me great satisfaction that those who have been deprived of centuries, who have not enjoyed the benefits of development (…) can recognize themselves in me,” he added.
The role of the president in India is largely ceremonial, with the prime minister and his government exercising executive power, but the head of state can return some parliamentary bills for reconsideration and also assist in the government formation process.
With AFP
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