Struggles and Setbacks: The Quest for Muslim Political Empowerment in India

  

Struggles and Setbacks: The Quest for Muslim Political Empowerment in India

 

By Ahmed Noor Qureshi

 "Political power is the master key by which you can open all the doors of progress." 

—B.R. Ambedkar

 The political empowerment of Indian Muslims has been a subject of debate for decades, raising the question of whether the community needs its own political party or greater representation in Parliament and Assemblies to address its unique challenges.

Political power is seen as a tool to improve people's lives, but an imbalance in political power leads to economic inequality.

Historical Context and the Legacy of the Muslim League

Before India's independence, the All India Muslim League was established with the aim of securing political rights and empowerment for Muslims. However, the party's trajectory took a dramatic turn when it demanded the creation of Pakistan, leading to the partition of India in 1947. This event had profound implications for Muslims on both sides of the border, with Indian Muslims bearing the brunt of the division. After partition, the Muslim League was rebranded as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), but its influence has since been largely confined to Kerala. Despite internal divisions and leadership challenges, the IUML continues to hold some sway in Kerala, where it currently has three Members of Parliament (MPs) and 15 members in the state assembly.

Post-Independence Efforts: Regional and National Parties

Following independence, several attempts were made to create Muslim-centric political parties, but most of these efforts have remained regionally focused and have had limited impact on national politics. In 1989, the Insaf Party was founded by Syed Shahabuddin, but it was dissolved just a year later. In Uttar Pradesh, the Peace Party (PECP) and the Rashtriya Ulama Council emerged as regional entities, while the Welfare Party of India was established by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in 2011. However, these parties have not managed to gain significant traction beyond local and regional bodies.

In Jammu and Kashmir, parties like the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC), Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have maintained a stronghold in the state, reflecting the unique political dynamics of the region. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has established itself as a formidable force in Hyderabad, while the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has made inroads in Assam. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, along with Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, are other examples of regional Muslim parties.

 The Dwindling Representation of Muslims in Parliament

 Muslims are the largest minority group in India, constituting approximately 14% of the population, or around 183 million people. Despite this significant demographic presence, their representation in the Indian Parliament has remained below 5%. In the 2019 elections, political parties fielded 78 Muslim candidates, with 26 Muslims ultimately being elected.

Party Name	Number of MPs Elected
Congress Party	7
All India Trinamool Congress	5
Samajwadi Party	4
Indian Union Muslim League	3
National Conference (Jammu and Kashmir)	2
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen	1
Independent	2
Total	24

 

The Challenge of Muslim Political Empowerment.

 The peak of Muslim representation in the Lok Sabha came in 1980, with 49 MPs, but this number has been steadily declining. The rise of Hindu nationalism and the political dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have contributed to this decline, as many national parties have shied away from fielding Muslim candidates for fear of electoral backlash.

The BJP's rise to power has further complicated the prospects for Muslim political empowerment. The party's strategy of divisive politics has marginalized Muslim voices, making them increasingly "untouchable" for many secular parties. These parties, in turn, have become reluctant to nominate Muslim candidates, fearing it might hurt their electoral prospects.

 Despite this, Muslims have played a crucial role in certain electoral contexts, supporting secular parties such as the Yadav-Muslim (YM) alliance in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and the Maratha-Muslim-Dalit alliance in Maharashtra, which have managed to challenge the BJP's dominance.

 In 2024  the Lok Sabha elections showed that the community voted strategically to strengthen the INDIA bloc, ensuring its vote share was not diluted by other parties that are mostly spoilers.

However, the idea of a purely Muslim political party at the national level has struggled to gain traction. In many cases, these parties have ended up dividing the secular vote, inadvertently benefiting the BJP.

 Conclusion: A Fragmented Future

 The quest for Muslim political empowerment through the formation of dedicated Muslim parties has been fraught with challenges. While regional parties have achieved some success in areas with a significant Muslim population, the broader goal of national representation remains elusive. The declining representation of Muslims in Parliament underscores the need for a re-evaluation of strategies to ensure that the community's voices are heard in the corridors of power. As the political landscape evolves, the future of Muslim political representation in India remains uncertain, with the community facing the dual challenge of marginalization and the need for unity in an increasingly polarized environment.

 -Ahmed Noor Qureshi is a senior journalist. Email-  noorahmed2006@rediffmail.com