Muslims in India: Identity And Security Issues
By Isha Khan • Feb 16th, 2009 • Category: Politics • 26 CommentsOur great nation— India was freed on 15th August 1947 after 190 years of fight against British tyranny, beginning from the battle of Plassey in July 1757 between Nawab Siraj-ud Daulah and East India Company. Year 1857 has been the hallmark of Indian’s ‘unity in diversity’ culture when all Indians with their religious, linguistic and cultural identities launched the ‘first united war for freedom of India’ under the last Mogul king Bahadur Shah Zafar. In the building of modern India every community and every caste has equally offered their share— thus India is for all Indians.
On 26th November 1949 India adopted the new constitution, framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, which two months later on 26th January 1950 was enforced assuring all the citizens equality, justice and security. Similarly the leaders of our freedom struggle like Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan and their devote companions had dreamt of an India where men and women would be judged not on the class, creed or religions they belong to but on the content of their character and merit they personally possess. But the scene in the post- independent India portrays a dismal condition all-around– prejudice, injustice, corruption, insecurity and lawlessness swirling all over India’s social, political, bureaucratic and law enforcing sectors endangering the very foundations of the Indian state.
No doubt, India is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. And we Indians do like the “Incredible India,” slogan– as global ad campaign by the government of Indian. On the contrary, a government of India report reads and acknowledges that Muslims in India have become “backward.” “Fearing for their security,” the report said, “Muslims are increasingly resorting to living in ghettos around the country.” Branding of Muslims as anti-national, intolerant and terrorists “has a depressing effect on their psyche,” the report said, noting Muslims live in “a sense of despair and suspicion.”
According to the report, produced by a committee led by a former chief justice of our country, Rajender Sachar, Muslims are now worse off than the Dalits, or those once called untouchables by the Brahmins. Some 52% of Muslim men are unemployed, compared with 47% of Dalit men. Among Muslim women, 91% are unemployed, compared with 77% of Dalit women. Almost half of Muslims over the age of 46 can’t read or write. While making up nearly 14% of the total population of the country, Muslims account for 40% of India’s prison population. They hold only 4.9 percent of government jobs and only 3.2 percent of the jobs in the country’s security agencies, thus creating a new set of ‘untouchable Indians’ in the modern democratic republic of India.
Indian Muslims’ ability to feel physically and emotionally safe; and their equal progress with other mainstream society is a test of the country’s democracy and of its hopes for becoming a First World economic power. A body cannot find relief leaving one of its sides squeezing in pain. Similarly our country cannot taste the progress leaving one of her wings— Muslims lagging behind. Though India’s nearly 150 million Muslims are a minority at home, they represent the second-largest Muslim population in the world, behind Indonesia (190 million) and just ahead of Pakistan (about 140 million). The numbers of Muslims in India is larger than the entire population of Arab Muslims (about 140 million).
The Sachar committee report recommended creating a commission to remedy the systemic discrimination and promote affirmative-action programms. So far, very few of the recommendations have been put in place.Indian Muslims have, as per my findings, four principal problems. And these problems are the real obstacles in all educational, economic and socio-political perspirations of the Muslim community at large.
The firstproblem is the absence of true Muslim leadership in the post-Partition period until this day. The present Muslim political leadership is either puppets of the leading parties or they have no sense of the problems Muslims community is actually facing in India. It has been an irony in the post 1947 India that majority of the Muslim politicians have been proven ineffective in regards to the community which has voted them to the power.
The second problem of Indian Muslims is lack of security. Riots, communal violence have become a sad reality of India’s life and the majority of the victims of riots in India are Muslims. The bloody massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in late February 2002 that led to the death of over 2000 Muslims is a ghastly reminder of an organized violence with tacit support by the ruling authorities.
Mumbai based writer late ‘Mr. Rafiq Zakaria’ has written with anguish about communal riots in India. According to him, they reached genocidal proportions in Gujarat in 2002.
The political milieu just after the partition was such that made Muslims feel so demoralized that they could not dare ask the question as to why the doors of defence forces were barred to them after the independence. The Muslim civil servants similarly were not to be appointed on sensitive posts and extra caution had to be used for issuing even passports to them. The strength of Muslims in the police and state paramilitary forces was deliberately reduced to the extent that in some States including U.P., Delhi and West Bengal their representation is very low.
The third principal problem of Muslim community is its low income. Although the economic and social situation of Muslims is not the same throughout India, one cannot deny the fact that poverty and lack of genuine financial recourses are hampering socio- educational development of the community at every step.
Official data is, at least, enough to figure out that in the post independent India Muslim community remained downwards economically in comparison to all other majority or minority communities. And with authentic findings in hand as we have now through National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) and the Sachar Committee Report (SCR) about the profile of second religious majority group of India, official policy can - if any government wants to - easily identify the groups most in need of state intervention, support and special care. It is typical of India’s political and social ethos that this fact of gross under representation of a significant religious minority is not allowed to become an issue. Any such discussion would be rather viewed as ‘communal’ which is taken to be anti-secular.
The fourth and most painful problem of Muslim Indians is the discriminatory attitudes of the majority community towards them. In this paper it is not possible, nor is it necessary, to give an exhaustive account of how Muslims have been hauled under various draconian laws in Independent India and how intolerant and discriminatory attitudes towards them have adversely affected their rights as equal citizens in the common domain and their collective right to distinct religious, cultural and linguistic identity. What is being attempted here is to present a sampling of state of things to illustrate how institutional discrimination and extreme intolerance against Muslims have made them periodically feel insecure, marginalized and educationally deprived.
There are Muslims’ cultural and identity crises, including those fear-psycho cases among Muslims themselves and the factual ones like the recent Aftab Ansari case of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who wanted to grow religiously prescribed beard but has been dismissed from the job itself. From physical look, dress code, religious practices and even language like Urdu (which was wrongly taken to be Muslim exclusive) there appears a confrontation among majority and minority communities in the country. There is also the more sinister danger of actual history being changed or important chapters being omitted and Muslim culture, period of rule being depicted in official textbooks as barbaric and communal.
We learn of the most compelling stories of injustice and brutality as Muslims struggle for self-dignity and identity. A few of the images that are shown on television and the reports in the press confirm for us the plight of the Muslims in our country.
There has always been a big difference between the theory and practice in India. Indian constitution, no doubt, is one of the best in the world. It is truly secular and it was more so even before the word ’secular’ was added to it in 1975.
Equal rights and justice for all — religious and linguistic minorities, freedom of expression and religious propagation, and punishment against any kind of discrimination are wisely enshrined in our constitution. But what practically on the screen for last few years is what it is called ‘chaos’ and collapse of justice system. The 1984 riots against Sikhs, 1992 Babri masjid demolition, 2002 Gujarat pogrom and recent Orissa and Karnataka riots against Christians are vistas which would surely find a mention in the future anthropological analyses of India along with underlined references of administrative lapses and state involvement as party in the dispute.
Plainly speaking, permanent steps should be taken that can restore the confidence of minority communities in India’s security and justice system and prevent further riots. Police must be made responsible for the riots and made them pay for their criminal inactions in the past.
Generally speaking, in all communal violence, in post independent Indian, affected people did not get justice. Muslim Indians have very few demands now– make justice visible rather than providing relief or promise of an enquiry, provide us with a feeling of actual security and see how we ourselves can make genuine progress.
We need an India where the combined, revolutionary and reformist ideologies of Shah Waliullah, Chattrapati Shivaji, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar are practically enshrined. There can be no democracy where there are no values. It is criminal to justify politics based on corruption and injustice. Democracy is where if one person is victimized the entire society stands up. Democracy based on public conscience is real. The new structure of the new era must thus evolve to a truly democratic and equal society in India.
A paper presentation at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Pune on Thursday 29th January 2009
M. Burhanuddin Qasmi is editor of Eastern Crescent and director of the Mumbai based Markazul Ma’arif Education and Research Centre.
Source: Asian Tribune
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Isha,
Good post, it gives a lot of details about the situation and the Muslim people are going through. To a extent the politicians and government is responsible for the scene. Also the people of the community have did a bit of it for themselves.
When the things that have happened currently, like the Gujarat riots and things like that, but the people from the community have not come forward and made statements openly to slam the politicians and make positive statements. In the recent times when the country was ripped by bomb blasts and the people claiming for the act were found to be Muslims, no one came forward to slam these kinds of things as nonreligious and things like that.
These things have made people to look at every person from Muslim community look bad. Also at the same time, people should also understand that one should not keep religion as the first thing, but the work that they are doing.
Help me understand this point, I am a Hindu Brahmin, if I try to follow all the things that are prescribed for me as per the religion it will create a bad atmosphere were I work and people will not be happy with me and my behavior. Same way people from the community should also try to think on those lines.
I have friends who are Muslims, but out of them few people I found were so into the religion and things like that, it makes people feel insecure to be with them. Like when I was trying to understand why women wear scarf, at a point it came down the person questioning on religious beliefs and bombarding on his views about others religion, which is not good.
I strongly belief that following a particular religion is a personal thing for every individual, and it should not be a topic of discussion in open forums, or trying to make a point that in ones religion things like that are followed in this pattern or in this way.
When people will understand that when you come out of your house for work you have to keep your religious identity at home and come to work as Individuals, things will change and for the betterment of everybody.
Also people from this community needs to be vocal about their problems, currently it is seen as a vote bank. They should not just stick to one party who represent their community, but they should stick to or follow that party who can change things for them and help in changing things for them.
Your views Isha.
Mohib Ahmad has written it THE OUTLOOK .
India is not a secular country. India does not treat all its religions equally. For example:
* India allows Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis to manage their civil affairs according to their respective religious laws. But it places restrictions upon how Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains can manage theirs. Indian Parliament even overturned a Supreme Court ruling to appease Muslims.
* The Indian government annually subsidizes — to the tune of Rs 413 Crore — the annual Haj journey for Muslims to go to Saudi Arabia.
@@@NOTE: Pakistan OVERCHARGES HAJ pilgrims. India SUBSIDIZES or CHARGE LESS haj pilgrims.
* Andhra Pradesh government sponsors a Rs 2 Crore religious junket for Christians to Bethlehem.
* Aligarh Muslim University is allocated an annual budget — Rs 245 Crore((((((50 MILLION US DOLLARS)))) — that is one of the highest for any university in India. However it still allows the central university to retain its distinct Muslim character. All dining halls serve halal meat and no space is available for Hindu religious congregation. Same goes for Jamia Millia Islamia.
@@@ NOTE: 50% seat RESERVED for muslims. NO RESERVATION FOR HINDUS in Benaras Hindu University
* Indian Muslims can have multiple wives but people belonging to other religions can’t unless they convert to Islam. Indian Muslims can utter talaq three times and get over with it whereas others need to go through tedious court proceedings.
One could go on and on in similar vein.
All the statements listed above are true. Therefore, I conclude that India is not a secular country — rather it is, in fact, a defender of monotheistic religions, particularly Islam.
Author writes:
“”"”"”"‘The recent Aftab Ansari case of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who wanted to grow religiously prescribed beard but has been dismissed from the job itself.”"”"”"”"”"””
Indian armed forces are a secular organisation.
Except sikhs no other group is allowed to grow beards.
Author CONVENIENTLY FORGETS thats hindus too will be dismissed if found growing beards.
India OBSESSED ISHA KHAN is doing nothing but IMF FUNDED PAK PROPAGANDA.
Indian Psychological Warfare is clearly having its effects.
>>>>>>>>India OBSESSED ISHA KHAN is doing nothing but IMF FUNDED PAK PROPAGANDA.
??????????
now isha khan after anatulay is a Pak agent!!!
Lol !
why is it that when anyone say something that Indians dont like to hear he is either call a pak agent (if indian) or it is said what eles would you expect from a paki educated in paki schools (if a pakistani)
if the indians dont have patience to hear what their own country men have to say how can they claim to be secluar or a democarcy
>>>>>>>>>Indian Psychological Warfare is clearly having its effects.
yes it is having its effects but unfortuantely its the Indian’s war on its own people. and the effectees are also indians (indian minorities), even if India wins this war , its minorities will lose
A look at the TRACK RECORD of Isha Khan says that VAST MAJORITY of his articles are INDIA RELATED.
by the way, You dont have to worry abt Indian Minorities.
Should i remind you what pakis have done to THEIR MINORITIES???????????
5 AHMADIS are ARRESTED UNDER FALSE CHARGES OF BLASPHEMY ……..recently.
If you want more…….just ask………..
“”"”"”"”"‘Indian Psychological Warfare is clearly having its effects”"”"”"”"””
Absolutely RIGHT!
There are HUNDREDS OF ANTI-INDIA websites by ‘GOOD FOR NOTHING’ PAKI no-brainers throughout the INTERNET.
Kindly visit indian blogging forums and see how many articles are written abt pak???
India has infiltrated the HEARTS AND MINDS of pakistan and others…….all these websites are a NATURAL REACTION by pakis.
anatulay……….was NEVER called a pak agent.
He was simply removed from his post.
Should i REMIND YOU about the number of pakistani intellectuals who have been BRANDED AS ‘INDIAN AGENTS????????
7 out of his 10 articles in TPS is anti-india/india related.
Isha
the problems you are linking with indian muslims are actually now a universal problem .You can not put all blame to India ’s management that always opt secular mode in their governanace.I discuss as per your points
If India lacks in muslim leadership then where you place abdul kalam azad , johar brothers sir syed ahmed like people,Their efforts are still part of Indian history and taught in schools.Now come to muslim world,Have you seen any kind of strong leadership after 1970′ time of bhutto, shah faisal ,qaddafi etc , who could be seen on top that can protect muslims’ identity on international forum.Recent mass killing of Palestanian by tiny Isreal is a clear example of impotency of muslim leadership.In this war on terror three big muslim countries have lost their identity, man power, resources and dignity on international level.In this era did any super power dare to point fingures toward Indian muslim,Here inidan govt have given full protection to their muslim citizens living everywhere in the world better than any muslim country.
2)you are crying for security problems of Indian muslims.What about daily life threats of muslims living in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan.Not only within boundaries but they are also facing expulsion/confinement in western and muslim countries too and their muslim govts are disowning their citizenship too. Have you gotten the figures of mass kilings of muslims or victims of suicidal bombing in their muslim origin land.You looks quite unaware what are happeneing to muslims of somalia, sudan, algeria and now in Asian countries too.
3)In the time of division, mostly rich and feudal opted to migrate from India as per their own choice because at that time horrific environment was created on religious hatred, so previliged people preferred to move after seeing the concentration of their ethnic identification.Hundreds of rich including hindus and christains also left big cities of Pakistan, leaving the unpreviliged on their places as they had no other options.So in Pakistan you would found majority ofchristains and hindus too in very low category jobs and we muslim as holding the majority consider them as lower caste.So same mentality is applied there.For latest example you can consider the example of Iraq and Pakistan, that in state of war rich have moved to other destinations like saudia, morocco, UAE and enjoying all perks of other countries while others are left behind who cant not avail this fleeing opportunity.
4)You have seen the pain of indiscrimnatry attitude of Indian govt toward muslim community but you havnt see what is happening between shia and sunni community in all over pakistan.Ahmedis, whose existence is a reality are under death threats.Why sect column is required to be filled in our educational institute.Why balochi muslims are deprived of proper system of governance as compared to people living on other provinces.They are bearer of our largest natural resources but they are provided by least facilites and privileges by our all govts.What is happening to muslim women living in our rural areas and northen areas is surely part of indiscrimantion in a muslim state.
So more you dig within your system, more yours hand become filthy.We should first clean mess from our side rather than cursng others for what that we are still unable to achieve in our pure muslim state.
Adi
muslim women in scarf is not a big mystery you need only little study behind this head covering issue and its justification. In Islamic history even at the time of Holy Prophet , women didnt bother about head covering,.It was implemented at the time of Hazrat Omer when some muslim women seriously complained of some non muslim men, found passing comments on them when they were gone out for their daily requirements.When case was presented in qazi court and these men were called, they said that they were unaware that these women were muslims .So that idea of head covering was floated and implemented to all muslim women in those Arab states where muslims were living with non muslims .So this head covering with a simple mince cloth is used as symbol of respectable muslim women an identification of muslim community.
I talked to many muslim women and also some Imams of mosques who never allowed muslim women to enter in mosque premises without head covering, about this background of scarf but you are right people dont agree with you on such tiny matters.I myself not allowed to enter in King hussan moseque in Casblanca as I had no scarf at that moment but women with miniskirt and sleeveless blouse having a tiny scarf were being permitted to enter in mosque.
DEAR NAZIA,
“”http://submission.org/dress.html”"
Read and analyze.
By Incredible Indian.
Dear Nazia and others
Copy the above link into the address bar and read.
Nazia,
That was the topic of discussion between people as I wanted to understand why and what of it, but it went out of control and people started questioning each others religious belief and things got out of control.
What I am trying to say they are needed by people when they are entering the mosque or religious places but not when you are going to your office. They can surely manage these things right and days have changed a lot now. Women can take of themselves and also the case that you mentioned have also reduced. People have grown up (meaning more maturity). I believe when you are at home you don’t have to wear the scarf, but while going to a mosque you have to wear it.
These subtle things sometimes can change thinking of people. Today when we are looking at progressing and world becoming smaller, one needs to change to a extent I am not saying that don’t follow your religion or the things that it says a person to do, but surely certain things can be done which needs to be done.
Isha,
As you have mentioned about the article that was written on Indian Muslims why don’t you do some research and find or write an article on things that Hindus go through in Muslim countries lets start with Pakistan.
Dear Adi,
Not only hindus, BUT ALSO ahmadi,shias, and EVERYONE ELSE.
Same pakis after KILLING THEIR MINORITIES talk abt indian minorities………
same on such DOUBLE STANDARDS.
Correction: The comments were going into moderation due to “http://” but Amdin rather than allowing then was deleting them. Obviously as it did not place Pakistan in good light. Also Amdin blocked my last user names Amir.
A note to Admin and other Pakistanis: Try to fix problems in Pakistan especially with reference to Ahmadis. You just can’t censor it if even human rights commission of Pakistan is complaining about it.
Mr.Umar,
Pakistanis COMPLAINING more than Indian Muslims.
HYPOCRISY of pakis are amazing. They kill their minorities then CRY OVER INDIAN MINORITIES.
Keep visiting this website UMAR.
Admin has blocked me again, just for telling the truth re: Pakistan.