“I Will Fight for the Destruction of Caste System”: Meira Kumar

Meira Kumar will begin her campaign trail from Sabarmati Ashram. 

(Photo: PTI)

Opposition’s presidential candidate Meira Kumar addressed the media on Tuesday, a day ahead of her filing nominations for the elections.

Thanking the opposition for choosing her as the candidate, Kumar said that she will fight on the united ideology of the 17 political parties that have come together to project her as their nominee.

Democratic values, inclusiveness, social justice, freedom of the press, transparency are some to the cherished values of this ideology. And this ideology is very close to my heart for these reasons. 

Kumar further revealed that she will begin her campaign trail from Sabarmati Ashram.

Dalit vs Dalit

Questioned about two Dalits being projected as the candidates for the country’s top-most position, Kumar said that the debate surrounding the issue brings the society’s mindset to the forefront.

Stating that caste was never a major point of discussion in earlier presidential elections, Kumar grieved that when two Dalits are pitted against each other, it seemed as though their personalities dissolved, and only their caste remained.

The caste system should be tied up in a tight bundle and buried deep under the ground

Further elaborating on the Dalit violence prevalent in the country, Kumar said that it was a “shameful thing”.

We should hang our heads in shame even if there is one incident of violence against the Dalits. And this is my fight. This is the ideology I fight for – the destruction of the caste system. 

On Nitish Kumar’s Support

The JD(U)‘s support to Meira Kumar’s candidature has been a much-discussed topic. When questioned on Nitish Kumar and his party’s support to her candidature, Kumar said,

I’ve written to all members of collegium, including Nitish Kumar. The ball is now in his court

On Sushma Swaraj’s Tweet

On Sunday, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter and accused Kumar of conducting the Parliament unfairly during her stint as the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Responding to Swaraj’s tweet, Kumar said that no other political leader had blamed her of the same.

On the last day of my tenure, all of them (political parties) unanimously praised my workmanship. Nobody has blamed me of being unfair

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