Patna

Invisible Muslim

There is an increasing sense of polarization between Hindus and Muslims, exacerbated by events like communal riots, lynching over cow protection, and inflammatory speeches by certain political figures.

By Dr. Rajkumar Singh | June 2024

Muslim leadership in India has its roots in the Mughal era, and it made significant contributions to India’s cultural and political landscape. During the British colonial period, leaders like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan played crucial roles in advocating for the rights and education of Muslims. After 1947, prominent Muslim leaders included Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and an influential figure in the Indian National Congress. He worked for Hindu-Muslim unity and was a key figure in the freedom movement.

In today’s India, Muslim leaders are found in various political parties, including the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party, and regional parties like the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM). Leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM have emerged as vocal advocates for Muslim issues. Unlike earlier, the Muslim leadership also extends to civil society, with organizations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind playing significant roles in advocating for community rights and addressing social issues. However, despite being about 14% of the population, Muslims are often underrepresented in political positions and government jobs. In addition, many other problems exist, such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to healthcare facilities.

The common tension among them is the periodic communal riots and instances of mob violence, particularly cow-related lynchings, which have heightened the sense of insecurity among Muslims. In this context, Hindutva is an ideology seeking to establish the hegemony of Hindus and the Hindu way of life. It was popularized by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the early 20th century. It emphasizes the cultural unity of India as a Hindu nation and advocates for promoting Hindu values and culture in the socio-political sphere.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is the principal organization promoting Hindutva. Its affiliates, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar, include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal. Under the leadership of figures like Narendra Modi, the party has gained significant political power, including forming the central government successively twice. At the same time, the results of the 18th Lok Sabha are scheduled to come in the first week of June 2024. Hindutva politics has often been accused of marginalizing Muslims, portraying them as outsiders or a threat to Hindu culture.

As a result, the communal polarization has increased, with Hindutva rhetoric contributing to a more divided society along religious lines. In these circumstances, Muslim leaders often find themselves defending their community’s rights and identity in the face of rising Hindutva influence.

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