Editorial

HT Sangliana, the decorated former ‘Super cop of India’ who had a brilliant track record both in civil service and politics continues to be our choice for the next President of India. But should he be elected? We put that question to some of our readers and they all seemed to struggle with an answer. A student from Tura, the hometown of NCP leader PA Sangma said the former Lok Sabha Speaker should be given a chance. But when we asked the same question to a student from Mizoram University, she said Sangliana stands a better chance as Sangma will not get the support from Sonia Gandhi during his lifetime. Lastly, we asked a JNU student from Karnataka who said he wishes to see this time a person from Northeast who is recognizable and familiar face even in South India to be the commander-in-chief of the Indian Defence forces.

In the end we pulled the 10 best reasons for why HT Sangliana should be the President of India.

1. 

   Marks of Merit: Sangliana with then Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair.

   To prove minorities are equally capable: Sangliana would prove all the Brahmin bigots and mainstream media houses wrong that a minority can’t do the highest job in India.

2. It’s time for change: For 60 years, India has never had a president from the tribal community who make up to 60 per cent of India’s population. There is a strong feeling that if Sangliana, the popular son of a tribal, is given this chance, the community at large will feel more homely being a citizen of  India.
3. Tough nut to crack: As a Indian Police Service officer, Sangliana has shown no favour to the powerful. Everyone was treated equally under his administration. There is a legend that he even issued a notice to his own wife for using his official vehicle! If elected, we’ll be able ask him if he really did that.
4. To restore minorities’ faith: Both Congress and BJP have been saying they love tribals and want them to move ahead with rest of the nation. But they can’t do that alone…they need one man named Sangliana.
5. End tribal Insurgency: Insiders see that Sangliana’s security expertise
   could end many of the insurgency movements in north east India.
   

   In the same league: Sangliana (3rd right) with Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

6. Good Relations with all: Sangliana shifted camp from the BJP to Congress but he still have good support from many of the saffron party leaders.
7. Sonia Gandhi will still be boss: If Sonia is able to show that Pranabda can continue to take up the job of chief Congress troubleshooter, Sangliana as can be her trusted lieutenant at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
8. Others win too: Sangma can lend him support. It will still be a victory for Sangma as he is only calling for a tribal to be the next president.
9. Not alien to entertainment/political world: Can you name at least one two good politicians who has films named after them? We know ‘Phoolan Devi’ was a film on former bandit queen Phoolan Devi. Anyone else? There are three Kannada feature films on Sangliana! “SP Sangliana” is one of them. Sangliana was also one of the 160 special invitees to United States President Barack Obama’s inauguration dinner at the White House.
   

   Not a stranger to living legends: Sangliana (left) with South African leader Nelson Mandela.

10. Stopping Meira Kumar:Is the country ready for yet another woman president? We think women have been given a fair chance already.

Many of our colleagues in the media owned by big companies despite knowing who Sangliana is, they feign ignorant at the “insignificant man” when compared to senior Congress leaders like SM Krishna and others. “If Sonia Gandhi can give only five minutes to senior Congress leaders like Chidambaram and Krishna, do you think Sangliana would get a call from her?,” was one of the statements made by a fellow journalist.

MIZONEWS.NET STAND:  Sangliana no doubt is a minority leader with mass appeal but that itself  is  not the sole criteria that makes him eligible to occupy the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He should get the presidency purely on the basis of merit which is there in the open for all to see. All political parties should support him unanimously.

Here’s a brief look into the man of the moment

Born, brought up and educated in Mizoram, the move from the North East to Karnataka was a pretty drastic one. In fact there are stories that Sangliana hated the police force following a bitter experience when he was held and interrogated after being mistaken for a Mizo rebel. However, he probably put all that behind him when he joined the police service, or it is more likely that he joined the service to alter that image. (Read more at: Virtual Bangalore)

Sangliana’s Official Profile from the National Minorities Commission website Read Here…

Keywords: Sangliana