American's have evolved.......!!!

America proves a major point by electing Barack Hussein Obama its next President.........."A democracy must be colour blind and function above religion". One can certainly hope that the black American President with a Muslim father will rise to meet the expectation of millions in America and around the world. Some five decades ago, Martin Luther King had a dream. It has now come true. India seems to have a point to prove when it comes to rising above religion.Barack Obama has won the battle.This result undoubtedly contain the defining moment of modern America’s political evolution.The significance of Mr Obama’s victory for African-Americans,oppressed minorities all over the world, is immeasurable.The issue of Mr Obama’s race is foremost on everybody’s mind as the world and America rejoice that US voters have perhaps, cleared, the greatest hurdle of racial discrimination and carried forward the battle that was started by Rosa Parks, who refused to vacate her bus seat for a white man, and Dr Martin Luther King, to put, in the ironically-named White House, America’s first African-American President.

Americans defeated racism, can we transcend casteism from the fare face of our society?

The obvious comparison with Indian politics is the issue of caste. Caste and race are similar (in that they reflect lower status, hierarchy and discrimination) although not synonymous, in that race is genetic, while caste is based on social hierarchy. The debate on caste and race is multifaceted, but the most important distinction between the two is that while it may well be accepted that Mr Obama managed to transcend race, while still symbolising victory of the civil rights movement, can and will an Indian politician be able to transcend caste? Can identity politics in India rise above electoral compulsions, and become truly inclusive of national concerns? If indeed the miracle happens, can our democracy sustain it without allowing inclusiveness to fail at the altar of divisive and competitive politics? These are compelling questions before our democratic polity today.........