London: Meira Kumar, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, has said that there is no room for religious politics in the world's largest democracy.
"Indian democracy is grown up to engage with real political issues than religion," Meira Kumar told a large gathering at the prestigious Cambridge University in England.
"I firmly believe that any communal approach or activity is not beneficial for our secular fabric. Like everywhere else, in India too, development and welfare issues are important and therefore are discussed openly on stage in public meetings."
General elections will be held in India next year and the ruling Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance is facing a tough race against right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Indian parliament with 543 elected members represents 1.2 billion people, one fifth of humanity.
The speaker, daughter of late Babu Jagjivan Ram, former deputy prime minister and India's most decorated Dalit leader, condemned the caste-based vote bank politics and said "the system needs to be destroyed".
"I have heard some friends argue that consolidation along caste lines during elections leads to empowerment of Dalits," the speaker said.
"They get an opportunity to assert themselves. Consequently, some may reach decision-making positions and in turn benefit other Dalits. I beg to differ. This is a mirage," she added.
According to Kumar, the caste system has caused and is continuing to cause unimaginable harm to the society.
Also Read: The 10 Most Significant Contributors to Medical Sciences
Also Read: World's Most Honest Nations; Mumbai Bags Second Position
