PL Punia, chairman of the National Commission for SCs, said that "Obama identified himself with champions of dalit rights" which was unheard of for a major political figure like the head of the US. "It is a moment of pride for dalits. He gave an opportunity to dalits to smile," Punia said.
The strong empowerment message of the US president, loaded with the symbolismof his own paradigm-busting success as the first black to win the top post in US, was lapped up by all, especially the dalit MPs.
Ashok Tanwar, youngster from the Congress stable, said the mention of Gandhi and Ambedkar in the context of peace and equality was "marvellous".
Chairman of the OBC parliamentary forum Hanumantha Rao said, "Obama shook all by his mention of Ambedkar-Gandhi and by his recalling of Vivekananda’s Chicago address."
The admiration for Obama’s bold speech was universal but drew a discordant note too. Pramod Kureel, BSP member of the Rajya Sabha, gifted Obama the ninth volume of the "collected works of Ambedkar" which contains his book, "What Gandhi and Congress have done to untouchables".
While Obama was leaving, Kureel intercepted him on the aisle to give a "gift from 300 million dalits of India". The young MP said Obama glimpsed at it, thanked him and handed over the book to his staff.
Hailing from the dalit outfit which revers Ambedkar and forms the core of anti-Congress political axis, Kureel’s gesture was aimed to suggest that the father of the nation was antagonistic and not complimentary to the dalit icon unlike the way the US president presented.
Later, Kureel said, "Obama sent a big message to the underprivileged as his speech was not Gandhi-centric but mentioned Ambedkar. It is important."
While business and strategic partnership have dominated the chatter about the high profile visit, Obama’s social justice face with a very local touch moved the audience. The symbolism of the US president’s own success was not lost on anyone.
As Speaker Meira Kumar earlier said, "As a person, he has the qualities and accomplishments which enabled him to transcend the very deep-rooted barriers in his own country."