The Indian Parliament was headed by a woman from a lower caste.

64-year-old native of untouchability, a member of the ruling party Indian National Congress' Meira Kumar was elected the Speaker of Lower House of Indian Parliament, reported Agence France-Presse.
For the first time in the history of the country head of legislative power is becoming a woman, said RIA Novosti. However, in July 2007 became President of India Pratibha Patil.
Congratulating the Speaker of the lower house of parliament with the election, Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh recalled its impeccable reputation. Since 1985, Kumar was elected Member of Parliament, in the past government, she served as minister of social justice and equality. Lead legislature of 543 deputies Meira Kumar to be over the next five years.
Indian Lower House Speaker of the laws was to be chosen from the leadership or a member of the ruling coalition parties, while his deputy is required to submit opposition to the country.
The caste system in India's constitution officially abolished in 1950. However, in many regions of India's untouchable until now forbidden to visit homes and talk with members of other castes. In 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has compared the situation of the Indians of lower castes to the situation of African blacks under apartheid in South Africa.