On the occasion of Bakri Eid in 1947, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad delivered an iconic speech at Jama Masjid in Delhi, assuring Indian Muslims that they were integral to the nation’s future. “Muslims should have faith in India… The fundamental decisions about the country will remain incomplete without Muslims,” he said. These words shaped the decision of many Muslims to stay in India after the partition, hoping for an inclusive future. However, more than seven decades later, the community finds itself marginalised and excluded from the fruits of democracy, facing systemic neglect in political, social, economic, and educational spheres.
Despite comprising a significant portion of India’s population, Muslims continue to be side-lined in various aspects of national life. Their democratic representation, share in government employment, and inclusion in decision-making processes are all disproportionately low compared to other religious groups. India, a country founded on the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—”The world is one family”—has seen its Muslim population increasingly alienated, becoming the ‘black sheep’ of this family.
Rising Polarisation and the threat of majoritarianism
The rising tide of polarisation in India has created an environment where Muslims are often targets of discrimination and hate. Recently, Justice Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court made headlines when he referred to a locality in Bengaluru as “Pakistan,” simply due to its predominantly Muslim population. Such remarks, especially from someone holding a constitutional position, raise serious concerns about the impartiality of the judicial system. A judge with inherent biases against a community cannot be expected to dispense justice fairly, especially when those individuals face legal challenges. This not only undermines the trust in the judiciary but also jeopardises its integrity.
In a speech delivered by J. Sekhar Kumar Yadav during a VHP event, he declared that India should function only according to the “majority”—the Hindu community. He also used derogatory terms like “kathmulla” to refer to a section of Muslims, disparaging their religious practices. Such rhetoric plays a dangerous role in normalising hate and deepening societal divisions.
Polarisation is evident not only on the streets but even in the chambers of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to Muslims as “ghuspathiya” (infiltrators) and his statement that “Those who are creating violence can be identified by their clothes” reflects a deep-seated animosity towards the community. These inflammatory statements contribute to a culture of intolerance, further marginalizing Muslims in Indian society.
The Discrimination Muslims face
The systematic discrimination faced by Muslims in India has become all too visible. According to reports, 75% of hate speech incidents occur in BJP-ruled states, with 36% directly inciting violence against Muslims and 25% targeting Muslim places of worship. Approximately 46% of these incidents are organized by the RSS, while 15% are perpetrated by BJP leaders. The increase in hate crimes, particularly lynchings targeting Muslims, paints a bleak picture of the societal climate.
The imposition of a single culture, language, and religion by right-wing groups, what has been termed ‘Hinduisation’ or ‘Saffronisation’, has only exacerbated the situation. Muslims are frequently subjected to public humiliation, including being forced to chant religious slogans like “Jai Shree Ram” or “Vande Mataram,” under threat of violence. This not only violates their religious freedoms but also highlights the growing intolerance in India’s public life.
Ghettoization of Muslims: social, political, and religious marginalisation
As political, social, and religious ghettoization takes hold, Muslims have been pushed into isolated communities. As scholars Gayer and Jaffrelot have noted, Muslim-majority neighbourhoods have increasingly come to be referred to as “Muslim ghettos,” a term that underscores the growing segregation of Muslims in India. This process of ghettoization is reflected not only in their physical isolation but also in their lack of access to basic amenities like infrastructure, water, sanitation, and education.
Muslims who attempt to migrate to better areas often face discrimination in the housing market. A woman from Bengaluru revealed on social media that she was denied a rental home solely because of her Muslim identity. She expressed, “It’s ironic that I’m struggling to find a ‘home’ in my own country.” This is not an isolated incident. Similar discrimination is reported across India, from Gujarat to Maharashtra and Delhi. The barriers to mobility for Muslims—both social and economic—are stark, as they are often prevented from settling in more prosperous areas.
The community has also been unjustly scapegoated during moments of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Tablighi Jamaat were unfairly blamed for spreading the virus. They were labelled as “corona criminals” and “corona jihadis,” leading to calls for boycotts of Muslim vendors and the relocation of their businesses. Similarly, during the Kawar Yatra, many Muslim vendors were forcibly displaced.
Identity- based violence
Identity-based violence has become disturbingly normalized. One such incident occurred when a CRPF officer killed three Muslim men on a train, simply because of their religious identity. The officer reportedly said, “If you want to live in Hindustan, I am telling you, it’s only Modi and Yogi.” This justification of violence based on communal identity is a growing concern in a country that prides itself on its democratic values.
Muslim girls in India have faced protests and harassment for wearing the hijab. During protests in Karnataka, Hindu students appeared in large numbers with saffron scarves, targeting their Muslim peers and trying to humiliate them for their religious practices. Such incidents underscore the rising intolerance in educational institutions, and it becomes impossible for Muslims to expect justice from a system where judges like Justice Srishananda preside.
A disturbing trend emerged when an app called Bulli Bai was used to auction Muslim women online. This incident exposed the vulnerability of Muslim women to digital harassment, with many being targeted because of their religious identity.
Economic discrimination and exclusion
Muslims face significant economic challenges, both in terms of employment and entrepreneurship. The “India Discrimination Report 2022” by Oxfam India revealed that urban Muslims face 68.3% discrimination in employment, up from 59% in 2004-05. Non-Muslims earn, on average, 49% more than Muslims in regular employment. Self-employed non-Muslims also earn significantly more than their Muslim counterparts. Despite their overrepresentation in urban self-employment, Muslims face a disproportionate wage gap and limited opportunities for economic advancement. Moreover, only 2.67% of executives in BSE 500 companies are Muslims, highlighting their underrepresentation in corporate leadership.
International criticism and India’s response
While India’s government is vocal about defending the rights of Hindus in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, it is quick to dismiss international criticism regarding its treatment of minorities. The Ministry of External Affairs routinely responds to questions about minority rights in India by warning foreign nations and human rights organizations not to interfere in its internal affairs. This defensive stance reflects a lack of accountability for the systemic discrimination faced by Muslims and other minority communities.
A call for reflection
Sardar Patel, in the Constituent Assembly, highlighted the responsibility of the majority to ensure the protection of minorities. He argued that the minority’s survival in India depended on the majority’s willingness to abandon discriminatory practices. DR. B.R. Ambedkar also warned that minorities could become an explosive force if their rights were not protected. Today, the question remains: Have we as a society truly reflected on what it means to be a Muslim in India?
The silence around this issue is deafening. The time has come for the majority to recognize the discrimination faced by Muslims and take meaningful action to uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and equality that India was founded upon. Until then, the question of whether Muslims will continue to exist as an integral part of India’s social fabric remains unanswered.
(The authors are fourth-year B.A.LL.B. students at the Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh)
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author’s personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sabrangindia.
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