: India’s ‘Missile Man’ Prepares to Take Presidency

Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the architect of India’s ballistic missile program and father of its nuclear arsenal, is set to become the next President of that country in elections next week, now that the opposition Congress party – in a reversal of last week’s position – has thrown its weight behind him. The 70 year old nuclear scientist was nominated in early June by the ruling NDA party of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Although the Indian presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the fact that Abdul Kalam is a Muslim highlights the delicate political maneuvering going on in Delhi (not to mention his military background). Although Abdul Kalam is the third Muslim to hold the post, his nomination comes at a time of unprecedented tension between India and Muslim Pakistan. Furthermore, his nomination by the Vajpayee’s VHP party have led some accuse them of tokenism. While being a very visible and proud Muslim (he most recently used his position to decry the killings in Gujurat), Abdul Kalam is fiercely loyal to the State of India (his colleagues call him a “200% Indian“) and is a strong defender of the nuclear deterrence policy he helped create.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.