Sri Srinivasan’s confirmation hearing that could make him the first ever Indian-American
Sri Srinivasan’s confirmation hearing that could make him the first ever Indian-American to serve as a federal judge began on Wednesday, but he is already being talked up to the United States supreme court. So is Kamala Harris, California’s attorney-general, who last week got a rah-rah recognition from President Obama himself. Either way, if American punditocracy is to be believed, a massive milestone is coming up for the Indian-American community: the country’s best-educated, highest-earning ethnic group could be boasting of a supreme court Justice from its distinguished ranks before the end of President Obama’s second term.
Already, a landmark development is in the offing this week. The politico-legal and judicial fraternity in America turned its attention on Wednesday towards the Senate judiciary committee as it began confirmation hearings on President Obama’s nomination of Srinivasan to the DC circuit court of appeals, which is widely regarded as the second highest court in the country. It is seen as a stepping stone to the supreme court. Five of the nine members of the current supreme court are alumni of the federal appeals court, including Chief Justice John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Antonin Scalia.