Lack of representation: Indian Muslims may end up as 'new political untouchables'

By Basant Rawat*, Kausharali Saiyed**, Sandeep Pandey**
Indian Muslims are a deprived community with very low participation in the functioning of the world's largest parliamentary democracy. This despite the fact that followers of Islam in India are the single largest minority -- they're about 17.22 crore, i.e., 14.2 % of total population of the country, according to the 2011 census figures.
For any functioning democracy, equal political rights and active participation of its citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliation, should be a given. But the status of Indian Muslims today is nothing more than second class citizens.
Thankfully, Muslims and other minorities can still exercise their right to vote, perhaps the only sign that they're still citizens. Evidently, the Muslim vote bank is much sought after during election time, but it seems, the members of this community do not deserve to be elected. And thus they're merely reduced to mute witnesses of their marginalisation process.
The situation today is such that the ruling party, which claims and pretends to be most interested in the welfare of Muslim community (barring a lone Muslim MP, Saumitra Khan , from West Bengal), does not have Muslim MPs despite it having the highest number of MPs - 303 - elected in the just concluded parliamentary elections in 2019. It just put up 6 Muslim candidates in all, a mere 1.1% of the capacity of lower house. Is that how much the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) thinks is due to the Musilms?

Saumitra Khan

It is likely true that keeping with its political ideology, preference and leaning, the party, which secured a huge mandate to rule the country for another five years, consciously chose not to field a single Muslim candidate in important states like Kerala, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh , where they have substantial numbers.
In 2014 BJP created a situation that not a single MP belonging to Muslim community from UP, which sends the largest contingent, even representing other parties could make it to the Lok Sabha.
This contagious thinking treating Muslims are pariahs is now affecting other parties too, including those of secular hue, which do not want to be seen so pro-Muslim that their Hindu voters drift away.
Fortunately, in 2019, there are six MPs from UP, and 27 overall, a slight improvement by 5 seats over the 2014 Lok Sabha, but still a mere 4.97%, much below in proportion to their population. The women in comparison are 14.36%, also way below their ratio in population.
The political exclusion of Muslims should be an eye opener for all. Muslims need to shed their apathy, lethargy and defensive mindset to stake their rightful claim by seeking to actively participate and shape their future in this democratic country.
This is the only way out, the only option. Or else, honestly speaking, they will have to sit quiet and accept the status of second class citizens. And never ever complain about it. This, we believe, should be unacceptable to any dignified person or community that believes in the virtues of a true democracy.
So clearly, at this crucial juncture, it is time for Muslims to introspect and proactively become stakeholders in the "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic..." The preamble of the Constitution talks about justice, which includes not only "social and economic," but also ''political'' rights.

The last, i.e. political rights, is an important precondition, without which any community, leave alone Muslims, may end up as the 'new political untouchables'. So what needs to be done and what could be the possible road map ahead?

Muslim MPs in Lok Sabha

First of all, Muslims, should free themselves from the guilt of being somehow responsible for the country’s Partition, which took place more than seven decades ago. The ones who remained behind should no more carry this burden of guilt for an act that they did not commit. The ones who wanted to live in Pakistan have left. Only the ones who chose this country as their abode remained behind.

Secondly, they know it but must make others realise that they have not been the beneficiaries of any alleged appeasement policies. If indeed they were, they would not be only slightly better that Scheduled Castes (SC)/ Scheduled Tribes (STs) in terms of various social indices. In fact, in some areas, like literacy and representation in government jobs they do worse that SC/STs. The reality is captured succinctly in Sachar Committee report for everyone to see.
Thirdly, Musilms have to convince fellow citizens that they have been unfairly targeted in terror related incidents. A number of Musilm youth who were arrested on charges of being involved in terrorist activities have been either acquitted or are languishing in jail for want of evidence required for their conviction. Hence most of them arrested were innocents.
Muslims, along with Dalits and tribals, are in higher proportions in jails compared to their population. Similarly, the victims of most mob lynching incidents were innocents and were handed punishment out of proportion to what is prescribed by the law of land, which was blatantly unfair to the community.
Lastly, they have to decide to proactively get involved in the democratic process of our country to ensure political representation. It may be launching an advocacy campaign or a new political agitation. They will have to do whatever is required to reclaim their citizenship as Indians with equal political rights to manage the affairs of the country which belongs to all "we the people," including Muslims.
Let the Muslims be heard now. They have a right to express their "Mann Ki Baat" too.
---
*Journalist (rawatbasant@gmail.com), **social activists (kaushars@yahoo.com, ashaasharm@yahoo.com)

Comments

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Kolkata dialogue flags policy and finance deficit in wetland sustainability

By A Representative Wetlands were the focus of India–Germany climate talks in Kolkata, where experts from government, business, and civil society stressed both their ecological importance and the urgent need for stronger conservation frameworks.

Beyond Lata: How Asha Bhosle redefined the female voice with her underrated versatility

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The news of iconic Asha Bhosle’s ‘untimely’ demise has shocked music lovers across the country. Asha Tai was 92 years young. Normally, people celebrate a passing at this age, but Asha Bhosle—much like another legend, Dev Anand—never made us feel she was growing old. She was perhaps the most versatile artist in Bombay cinema. Hailing from a family devoted to music, Asha’s journey to success and fame was not easy. Her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, had already become the voice of women in cinema, and most contemporaries like Shamshad Begum, Suraiya, and Noor Jehan had slowly faded into oblivion. Frankly, there was no second or third to Lata Mangeshkar; she became the first—and perhaps the only—choice for music directors and all those who mattered in filmmaking. Asha started her musical journey at age 10 with a Marathi film, but her first break in Hindustani cinema came with the film "Chunariya" (1948). Though she was not the first choice of ...

Maoist activity in India: Weakening structures, 'shifts' in leadership, strategy and ideology

By Harsh Thakor* Recent statements by government representatives have suggested that Maoism in India has been effectively eliminated, citing the weakening of central leadership and intensified security operations. These claims follow sustained counterinsurgency efforts across key regions, including central and eastern India. However, available information from security agencies and independent observers indicates that while the organizational structure of the CPI (Maoist) has been significantly disrupted, elements of the movement remain active. Reports acknowledge the continued presence of cadres in certain forested regions such as Bastar and parts of Dandakaranya, alongside smaller, decentralized units adapting their operational strategies.

From Manesar to Noida: Workers take to streets for bread, media looks away

By Sunil Kumar* Across several states in India, a workers’ movement is gathering momentum. This is not a movement born of luxury or ambition, nor a demand for power-sharing within the state. At its core lies a stark and basic plea: the right to survive with dignity—adequate food, and wages sufficient to afford it.

Midnight weeping: The sociology of tragic vision in Badri Narayan’s poetry

By Ravi Ranjan* Badri Narayan, a distinguished Hindi poet and social scientist, occupies a unique position in contemporary Indian intellectual life by bridging the worlds of creative literature and critical social inquiry. His poetic journey began significantly with the 1993 collection 'Saca Sune Hue Kaï Dina Hue' (Truth Heard Many Days Ago). As a social historian and cultural anthropologist, Narayan pioneered a methodological shift away from elite archives toward the oral traditions and folk myths of marginalized communities. He eventually legitimized "folk-ethnography" as a rigorous academic discipline during his tenure as Director of the G.B. Pant Social Science Institute.

Why link women’s reservation to delimitation? The unspoken political calculus

By Vikas Meshram* April 16, 2026, is likely to be recorded as a special day in the history of Indian democracy. In a three-day special session of Parliament, the central government is set to introduce a comprehensive package of three historic bills: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Delimitation Bill, 2026; and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The stated purpose of all three is the same: to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment) passed in 2023. However, the political intent concealed behind these measures — and their impact on the federal balance — is far more profound. It is absolutely essential to understand this.

Catholic union opposes FCRA amendments, warns of threat to Church institutions

By A Representative The All India Catholic Union (AICU) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as growing threats to religious freedom, minority rights, and constitutional safeguards in India, warning that recent policy and legislative trends could undermine the country’s secular and federal framework.

'It's power grab, not reform': Uttarakhand hills fear marginalization under new delimitation

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The proposed delimitation bill, coupled with the women’s reservation bill, is a calculated attempt to divert attention during state elections while laying the groundwork for long-term power consolidation through a north Indian hegemony. India’s constitution-making process was arduous, but it was guided by leaders deeply committed to unity and integrity. They ensured no community felt betrayed, and the foundation of modern India was laid on inclusivity. Any attempt to alter this balance must be approached with caution and respect for that legacy.

Search This Blog