Background

Historically, Muslims have lived in India for centuries and were among its earliest and most influential rulers. The partition of India in 1947 was a significant turning point for Muslims, as it led to the creation of Pakistan and resulted in the mass migration of millions of Muslims to the newly formed state, while thirty-five million of them remained in India. The partition left tragedy and despair in its wake, with both parties paying a hefty price for independence. In a post-partition world, Indian Muslims were perceived as anti-national, as being Muslim was associated with being Pakistani, an enemy state.

The state of Muslims in India has deteriorated significantly in recent times, with many now facing widespread discrimination in their own country. Legally, Muslims are recognized as a notable minority in India, comprising approximately 14.2% of the population. Despite their substantial numbers, Indian Muslims not only encounter persistent socio-economic and political challenges but are also strikingly underrepresented in legislative bodies, civil services, and institutes of higher education.

Current Situation in India

India is a secular state, meaning it has no state religion and freedom of religion is entirely guaranteed. Despite this secularity, Muslims have experienced discrimination in areas including employment, education, and housing. They are often subject to barriers when seeking justice, or even healthcare and fundamental services. A 2019 report by Common Cause revealed that upon surveying police, half of them harbored anti-Muslim bias, making them less likely to prioritize crimes against Muslims. Analysts have observed widespread impunity for those attacking Muslims, with state and national courts and government bodies occasionally overturning convictions or dropping cases against individuals involved in violence against Muslims. Additionally, Indian states have begun passing laws that restrict Muslims’ religious freedoms, including anti-conversion laws and bans on wearing headscarves in school.

More recently, with Narendra Modi’s BJP party coming into power in 2014, the plight of Indian Muslims has only exacerbated. Hindu vigilante mobs have lynched suspected cow traders, as they believe cows to be sacred. According to a 2019 Human Rights Watch report, at least forty-four people have been killed by these mobs. Petitions have been filed against mosques, and small Muslim-owned businesses have been targeted and destroyed. Internet trolls have orchestrated online “auctions” of Muslim women. Hate speech and acts of violence have become alarmingly frequent, with law enforcement failing to take adequate action. This climate of fear and hostility undermines the secular principles of the Indian constitution and threatens the safety of millions of Muslims across the country.

Underrepresentation and Discrimination

In terms of underrepresentation, Muslim representation in parliament has stagnated after the 2019 election, leaving Muslims holding only 5% of seats. According to a recent Al Jazeera article, Muslim representation in the legislature has been low, but it has declined since the rise of the BJP party in the 1990s. In the outgoing parliament, 27 MPs were Muslim, which is still more than the incoming parliament that is projected to have 24 Muslim MPs.

Muslims in India have had to prove their loyalty to their country, as their faith automatically renders them enemies of the state. For countless years, they have endured loss and injustice in their own home, torn between their Muslim and Indian identities. The anti-Muslim violence and surge in Islamophobia has instilled fear and insecurity in the Muslim population. Not only are they looked down upon and targeted, but they are also stripped of educational and employment opportunities. Their access to justice is frequently obstructed, and their contributions to society are often overlooked. Muslims have long been an integral part of the Indian nation, and it is time they are treated as such.

Contribution by Ayesha Hassan, Hikma Intern