PM Modi releases ex-President Kovind's autobiography
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind on 12 August 2026. Kovind, India's 14th President and only the second Dalit to hold the office, documents a historic journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan in his memoir.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind on 12 August 2026 .
Kovind served as India's 14th President from 2017 to 2022 .
He is only the second Dalit to hold the office of President, after K.R.
The event was broadcast live and amplified by Union Minister G.
Indian Prime Ministers have a tradition of participating in autobiography launches of former constitutional office-holders, signalling institutional continuity.
A sitting Prime Minister honouring a former President in print — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 12 August 2026 released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, marking a ceremonial moment that bridges constitutional history with personal memoir.
Kovind's place in India's constitutional history
Ram Nath Kovind served as India's 14th President from 2017 to 2022, becoming only the second Dalit to occupy Rashtrapati Bhavan after K.R. Narayanan. His autobiography, therefore, carries weight beyond the personal — it documents a journey from the margins of India's social hierarchy to its highest constitutional office.
Modi's role at the launch
Prime Minister Modi, who has been in office since 2014, personally released the book at the event, broadcast live. Indian Prime Ministers have a long-standing tradition of participating in memoir and autobiography launches of former presidents and constitutional office-holders — a practice that signals institutional continuity regardless of party affiliation. The gesture reinforces the BJP-led government's consistent public recognition of Kovind, who was the NDA's presidential candidate in 2017.
Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president G. Kishan Reddy shared the live broadcast on X, amplifying the event's reach within the party's digital network.
With Kovind's account of his presidency now in public hands, the real story begins in the pages — a Dalit leader's view from the top of India's constitutional order, told in his own words.
Point of View
Modi reinforces the BJP's long-cultivated narrative of Dalit inclusion at the highest levels of governance. Kovind's memoir arrives at a moment when identity politics and social representation remain central to electoral discourse, giving the book an audience well beyond political insiders. How its contents are received — and what Kovind chooses to say about his tenure — could shape the conversation around Dalit leadership in India's constitutional framework for years ahead.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ram Nath Kovind?
Ram Nath Kovind is India's 14th President, who served from 2017 to 2022. He is the second Dalit to hold the office of President of India, after K.R. Narayanan.
What did PM Modi do at the Ram Nath Kovind autobiography launch?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind at a live event on 12 August 2026.
Is Ram Nath Kovind the first Dalit President of India?
No. Kovind is the second Dalit President of India. K.R. Narayanan, who served from 1997 to 2002, was the first.
Why did G. Kishan Reddy share the Kovind autobiography event?
G. Kishan Reddy, Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president, shared the live broadcast on X to amplify the event within the party's digital network.
When was Ram Nath Kovind President of India?
Ram Nath Kovind served as President of India from 2017 to 2022.
