Is representation of Muslims in politics solely dependent on Muslim leaders? This question is often overlooked in discussions about the declining number of Muslim MPs and MLAs in India. Media coverage tends to highlight the numerical underrepresentation of Muslims, reinforcing narratives of political marginalization.
Academic studies, on the other hand, frequently rely on statistical data to validate concerns about Muslim underrepresentation. They often adhere to the outdated notion of “descriptive representation,” which suggests that legislative bodies should mirror the country’s socio-religious diversity.
A common perspective asserts that the collective interests of the Muslim community can only be safeguarded by Muslim legislators. However, this simplistic view does not fully address the complexity of Muslim political identity. To understand this better, three fundamental issues need to be examined: the constitution of Muslims as a political community, the collective interests of Muslim voters, and the role of Muslim leaders in addressing these concerns.
Community Identity
In my recent book, A Brief History of the Present: Muslims in New India (Penguin-Random House, 2024), I differentiate between two aspects of Muslim identity: substantive Muslimness and the discourse of Muslimness.
Substantive Muslimness reflects the lived experiences of Muslims at regional and local levels. Factors such as caste, language, economic conditions, sect, and geography play a critical role in shaping Muslim identity and political engagement.
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The discourse of Muslimness, on the other hand, is shaped by how Muslims are perceived and discussed in broader society. This includes legal categorizations as a minority, demographic representations in census data, historical depictions of Islamic rule, and media narratives on global issues like radicalization. These external narratives influence both public perceptions and Muslim self-identification.
The interplay between these two dimensions dictates how Muslim identity is represented in India. It swings between the broader discourse of Muslimness and the localized socio-cultural realities that shape substantive Muslimness.
Community Interests
The CSDS-Lokniti Pre-poll Survey 2024, conducted across 19 states with 10,019 respondents, provides key insights into the concerns of Muslim voters. Contrary to the assumption that Muslim political interests are solely identity-based, the survey reveals a strong emphasis on socio-economic issues.
- Employment and Economy: 67% of Muslims cite difficulty in securing jobs as a major concern.
- Inflation: 76% are worried about rising prices and economic disparities.
- Affirmative Action: 76% support the inclusion of Dalit Muslims in the Scheduled Caste list, challenging the legal assumption that caste-based discrimination does not exist in Islam.
These findings indicate that Muslim voters prioritize economic and social well-being over religious identity in political discourse. However, this does not mean that their collective religious identity is irrelevant. The increasing dominance of Hindutva politics has heightened anxieties about Muslim safety and their place in Indian society.
The Sciences-Po-CSDS-Lokniti survey on Muslim Leadership 2024 further reveals that:
- 43% of Muslim respondents believe that they are treated unfairly by state authorities.
- 54% feel they are not as safe as other communities, with 11% stating they feel completely unsafe.
These concerns suggest that Muslims have adapted to a political environment where their issues are often sidelined. Instead of open confrontation, many have sought ways to engage with government institutions as a survival strategy, aiming to secure their rights through negotiation rather than conflict.
Leadership and Representation
Muslim participation in elections remains strong, with 62% turnout in 2024. More than 51% of Muslims believe their votes make a difference. This engagement raises three crucial questions:
- Does a candidate’s religious identity influence Muslim voting behavior?
- If so, does this influence vary across different elections (Lok Sabha, state assembly, or local bodies)?
- Do Muslims trust Muslim leaders to represent them effectively?
Muslim leadership takes three main forms:
- Professional Muslim Politicians: These figures act as intermediaries between political parties and Muslim communities.
- Muslim Elites: Individuals with social, educational, or religious influence who shape internal community dynamics.
- Muslim Activists/Influencers: Public figures who engage in media debates and represent Muslim concerns in national discourse.
Survey findings indicate that 50% of Muslim voters do not consider a candidate’s religion as a decisive factor. However, 30% believe that only a Muslim leader can effectively represent their interests. This diversity in opinion reflects the heterogeneous nature of Muslim voting patterns.
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Interestingly, while 64% of respondents believe that Muslims have honest and committed leaders, an equal percentage argue that better, more articulate leadership is needed. This paradox highlights a growing dissatisfaction with existing Muslim leadership and a demand for more effective representation.
The Complexity of Representation
Muslim political identity in India operates on multiple levels:
- Legislative Representation: Muslim voters prioritize candidates based on policies rather than religion.
- Institutional Inclusion: There is a strong demand for social and economic reforms, such as affirmative action for marginalized Muslim groups.
- Cultural and Political Visibility: In an environment where anti-Muslim propaganda is widespread, representation is also sought to counter negative narratives and reclaim space in national discourse.
Conclusion
The notion that Muslims must be represented only by Muslim leaders is overly simplistic. While there is recognition of the need for Muslim representation, voting trends indicate a pragmatic approach that prioritizes economic, social, and political stability over religious identity alone.
Muslim voters in India define themselves as secular citizens while maintaining their collective religious identity. They seek fair representation, not just through Muslim leaders but through policies and governance that address their real-life concerns. As India’s political landscape evolves, Muslim political engagement is likely to continue shaping electoral outcomes, challenging rigid notions of representation in the process.
“This report was originally written by Hilal Ahmed, Associate Professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi, India, and a CASI Fall 2024 Visiting Scholar.
Originally published on Scroll.in – Link.