Woman from a minority ethnic community wins India’s presidential election
PBS NewsHourSep 09, 2022
The Facts
Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as India's 15th President on Mon., becoming the first tribal leader and the second woman to occupy the position. She's also the first president to have been born after India gained its independence in 1947.
Murmu, a 64-year old Santhali politician, was elected by over 4.5K state and federal legislators last week.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Murmu, a Santhali woman, is the first tribal leader to become India's president. This is another historic result that clearly demonstrates the BJP's commitment to improving the representation of candidates from marginalized sectors of society.
Establishment-critical narrative
The BJP's decision to effectively appoint Murmu to this largely ceremonial post is part of a broader strategy to advance a Brahminical agenda. While being a Santhali, Murmu is also loyal to Hindu orthodoxy so her election is a kind of symbolic inclusivity that will divide groups that could take action against Hindu nationalism.
