Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : The representation of Muslims in Indian politics and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
THE letter, “Middle East politics: democracy or tyranny”, by Ebrahim Essa, the POST, March 11 –15, refers.
He claims there is “not a single Muslim minister in the Indian government”.
But in the 2024 parliamentary elections, the BJP fielded a Muslim candidate who had joined the party in 2019. Dr Abdul Salam was fielded to contest from the Malappuram constituency in Kerala. He is a former vice-chancellor of Calicut University. He lost. To be in parliament, people have to join the party, and win elections.
In the past, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was nominated to serve as the minister of minority affairs in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
This time round, Smirti Irani was nominated: there were outcries from other minorities – pointing out they were minorities too, not only Muslims.
Muslims not only in India, but in many countries including South Africa, seek a “ Pan Islamic identity”: they have been becoming less Indian, but more Arab, Iranian, Turks and a whole lot other things.
Those who are Indians first, are either threatened, despised or reviled.
Even the late great former president of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who proudly proclaimed he was Indian first and later that he was 200% Indian, was contemptuously dismissed by some Muslims asking: “what was Muslim about him?”
Ask actor Salman Khan what happened when he said: “I am Indian first and Muslim second.”
Even BJP spokesman Shezad Poonawala or spokeswoman Shazia Ilmi, both outstanding at their jobs, have been abused
The recent death of highly-respected, greatly-loved and fiercely-patriotic Muslim, Maroof Raza, drew some questionable remarks in that part of the world from certain Muslims.
In contrast, why was there such overwhelming grief in India for the late Khamenei of Iran?
An Indian Muslim, Professor Muddassir Quamar, said Iran’s Supreme Leader’s position carried influence far beyond Iran.
“Twelver Shias across Arab and Islamic world including in South Asia consider him as a spiritual and political leader, and look up to the Supreme Leader to lead the Shiite and Islamic world.”
So that reveals volume about loyalty, patriotism, politics of some in India. Also most Muslims prefer to vote for Muslim parties. And there are seven Muslim parties in India or eight if you include the Congress which has said many times it is a Muslim party.
KAMINI PRAKASH
uMhlanga