Happy to have overcome two decades of electoral draught in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Congress in a symbolic gesture of thanksgiving put its most prominent Dalit face — Meira Kumar — in the Speaker’s chair. And by doing so, also managed to give the Lok Sabha its first woman presiding officer. The charming and soft-spoken Meira Kumar, a former IFS officer and Union Minister, is in every way an antithesis of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati — the other face of Dalit empowerment. However, those who point to Meira Kumar’s privileged upbringing in the heart of New Delhi as legendary Dalit leader Babu Jagjivan Ram’s daughter, she has a sharp response line: “In India, the circumstance of one’s birth can never be overcome.’ In an exclusive interview to Santwana Bhattacharya, Speaker Kumar shares her roadmap for the 15th Lok Sabha:
CURRENT: Your election as the Lok Sabha Speaker is being termed as historic and also symbolic. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described you as the first woman and Dalit to occupy the constitutional post. How do you see it yourself? Is it a culmination of a political career or just another milestone?
Meira: I don’t look at it like that, either as a milestone or a culmination of my political career. It is a job which I have to do — impartially — and to the best of my ability. But, well yes, I agree the symbolism will always be there. It, no doubt, sends a positive message and will have an effect on the way certain sections of society is seen.
However, I also think that my election (as Speaker) was possible as the country has progressed in the last one decade. We have so many women in the House now — 58 MPs. It is not a small number.
You really think your election was possible because of social progress?
There has been a gradual change and awareness in society which has helped women in getting a better deal. Society is coming to accept women in these positions. I think, acceptance given by society is very important.
Don’t you think there is a dichotomy in the system, at one level we have women in high positions in politics and institutions, on the other we have atrocities of the worst kind?
There is a chasm because the benefits of progress have not percolated to a large section of society. Especially women who come from the lower rung, the schedule castes and schedule tribes, have been left out. This is where we need to work. So that they too feel empowered and they too enjoy equal opportunity. This is our main challenge. This particular election (to the Speaker’s post) would bring the focus on this section. But, we would also need legislative support.
How do you see your role as a Speaker help their cause?
The role of the Speaker is cut-out. There is not much scope for policy intervention. My job is to run the House. So that issues of concern and legislations can get everyone’s attention and get properly debated. There has to be a conducive atmosphere for healthy discussion without disruption. Besides, accountability of the Executive has to be there. If the House does not function, there are disruptions, who will the Executive report to? Who will question the Executive’s decisions, policies and actions. Smooth running of the House is of paramount importance.
It is being said that you have had a privileged life far away from the grinding poverty and backwardness of your hometurf — Sasaram in Bihar?
The media is mixing up two things, the social and the economic. Poverty is, indeed, a bane. But, in India, caste is the biggest handicap. When I sit on the Speaker’s chair that is what is on everyone’s mind —’She is a Dalit’. I need not say it, it is imprinted in people’s mind. That is how I am seen. As long as there is caste system, those who are on the lower rung remain there.
But do you see yourself as a Dalit, in the true sense of the term?
We have to bring India to a point where circumstance of ones birth is no longer important. Till then, in India, your identity is not complete without your caste name. It is something that you can never, ever overcome. You have to face it and live with it to understand its implication. The caste label gets a lot of prominence in this country.
It is also said that you carry Babuji’s line of thought which is anti-Ambedkar?
I do not think I should take a political question. As the Speaker, I have to be neutral. I will not comment on this. It will not be proper. The Speaker cannot take a political line.
Will you see to it that the 33 per cent Women’s Reservation Bill is passed by the House you are presiding over…
Oh yes! The Women’s Bill has come to occupy the centre-stage again. The President in her speech has mentioned it. There are 58 women MPs — the largest since 1952 — in this House to push for it. I would, naturally, like empowerment of women. But the weaker sections too have to be empowered.
Last time the bill got derailed after demands were made for quota within the quota, for Dalit/backward/ST-SC women. Are you supportive of this? Do you think seats should be reserved for women from the Dalit and backward communities within the women’s reservation bill?
The bill is with the Rajya Sabha. It is actually with the Rajya Sabha Committee. Let me see the actual position first. There are differences of opinion on the bill which has to be sorted out and a consensus has to evolve. That is how, the bill can be passed. The parties should sit together and take a unanimous decision.
Finally, what is your message to the members of the 15th Lok Sabha?
That we should utilise all the time available to us, without wasting a second. We have to convince people about our sincerity. But I am also in favour of increasing the time of Lok Sabha (sittings).