One could say that untouchability as a social practice prevailed in India even after the adoption of the Republican Constitution. But here is the difference. Unlike racial segregation in the US, untouchability in Free India never had official sanction. Its practice in public places stopped almost shortly after Independence. Undoubtedly, we still have a long way to go in ensuring full social justice and dignity to those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Nevertheless, we can say in all modesty that in philosophical and spiritual terms, India’s campaign against untouchability and other injustices has been far weightier than America’s campaign against slavery and racial discrimination. This is something, which Martin Luther King Jr., who was influenced by the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and other great American votaries of civil rights, have acknowledged.

As far as a person of half-Muslim parentage becoming President of the United States is concerned, let us remember that India has so far elected three Muslims to its highest constitutional office. Moreover, when Dr Zakir Hussain became the first Muslim President of our country in 1967, just two decades after Pakistan was carved out of undivided India, it was hardly considered as extraordinary as Barack Hussein Obama’s election is being seen today. This is because of the essentially inclusive nature of Indian culture and India’s nationhood.

In the 61 years of Free India, our country has also had a Dalit President and several Dalit chief ministers. Babu Jagjivan Ram, the greatest Dalit leader after Ambedkar, came close to becoming Prime Minister in the late 1970s. India’s record of political empowerment of the diverse sections of our society has been far superior to that of America.

... contd.