RISHI SUNAK’S election as the first Asian Prime Minister (PM) of Britain has created a hot debate back in India where questions are being asked whether the latter can emulate its former colonial power to elect a minority community person as PM.
Right now the hot topic discussed in the Indian media is whether a Muslim or a Christian can become the PM of India? This came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lavishly praised Sunak – a staunch Hindu – for being elevated to the top UK post.
In a way, his has sparked a strong Hindu wave around the world as can be seen from the fact that the CEOs and leaders helming some of the top global multinationals or occupying important political positions are Hindus.
In Malaysia, too, the question as to whether a non-Malay/Muslim can become the PM or even deputy PM (DPM) has been posed by various quarters.
Will there be a Rishi Sunak moment in Malaysia? Possibly, a deputy PM from the native Christian community in East Malaysia might set a precedent before we progress further. Yet, there are already much speculations and discussions about appointing two or three DPMs after GE 15.
Never a Muslim PM in India
Some positive thinking and soul searching will surely come out of this new debate in India. Since independence, India has had 15 PMs and all except one – Manmohan Singh who is a Sikh – are Hindus.
When Sonia Gandhi’s name was bandied about as a possible premier, there was a lot of opposition as she was of Italian-origin and a Catholic.
She quickly withdrew from the contest and Manmohan was appointed as the PM. Even at the time of some short-lived premierships from 1989 to 1998 such as that of V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar Singh, H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral, no Muslim ministers were seriously considered to be chosen as a PM candidate even though Muslims are a large minority.
Possibly, it was the pain of partition in 1947 and the continuing tussle over Kashmir between India and Pakistan which were major factors in precluding any Muslim for the premiership.
Among Indian presidents and vice presidents, there has been a better communal and gender mix as there have been women, Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, a Sikh and presently a tribal native as head of state.
Indian Christians the biggest losers
However, the community that has been most left out has been the Christians. There are generally three communities of Christians in India – the (i) Christians of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other states; (ii) those from the Northeast such as Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya; and (iii) the Anglo-Indians who number about 100,000.
Though a force to be reckoned with due to their contributions in various public and private sectors, Christians have not been seriously considered for the premiership or the presidency of India.
The closest a Christian was considered a candidate for the presidency was P. C. Alexander who was regrettably dropped at the last minute in 2002. In the 2022 vice-presidential election in India, a Christian candidate, Margaret Alva, lost due to lack of support.
Unless big political parties like the BJP, Congress or a united opposition supported presidential or premiership candidates, minorities don’t stand a chance for elective positions. Unlike the Congress Party where there are a sizeable number of Muslims and Christians, the BJP mainly comprises Hindus.
The BJP is expected to be in power in India for the near future, hence the prospect of any Muslim or Christian taking a shot at the premiership is very dim.
For the time being, Muslims and Christians have to be contented with other substantial positions such as ministers, chief ministers, governors, ambassadors or top judicial appointments to the supreme court and that if chief justice.
As long as India remains secular and democratic, the prospect for minorities like Muslims and Christians assuming the premiership in the future cannot be ruled out.
Many immigrants who become citizens in other countries worldwide are already assuming top political positions such as ministers, presidents and premiers.
With the status quo is changing, expect the world to see more Rishi Sunaks who will rise to claim top positions in government in their adopted countries or that gender, religion or race will no longer be a hurdle.
The world is fast becoming a global village! – Oct 28, 2022
V.Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
