As India marks over a decade under the Modi-Shah regime, the systematic marginalization of Muslims has emerged as a key element of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) political strategy. This article examines how policies, rhetoric, and actions reflect an intentional campaign to otherize this community, resulting in social exclusion, economic boycotts, and constitutional disparities.
Historical Context of Marginalization
The roots of contemporary communal tensions in India can be traced back centuries, often compounded by the legacy of caste and class divisions. The author, raised in a Namboodiri landlord family in Kerala’s only Muslim-majority district pre-independence, highlights a unique aspect of Kerala’s social fabric: while casteist norms afflicted Hindus, there was a relative ‘syncretism’ with Muslims and Christians. This context of religious coexistence contrasts starkly with the current climate, where marginalization is no longer just a social issue but a well-crafted political strategy.
Under the Modi regime, Hindu-Muslim animosity has been leveraged as a tool for consolidation of voter bases. For example, political discourse has transformed dramatically from inclusive statements like those from former BJP leaders, such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, towards openly fomenting communal divisiveness. The BJP’s current leadership has reportedly employed this tactic as a means to galvanize support.
Systematic Exclusion from Political Representation
One of the most telling signs of the exclusion faced by Indian Muslims is the lack of representation in political bodies. Despite significant Muslim populations in key states like Assam—where they constitute 38% of the population—none of the 102 newly elected BJP MLAs are Muslims. This systematic exclusion extends to the Modi government itself, which has not had a single Muslim minister or member of parliament in the last five years.
Political observers express concern over potential moves towards introducing separate electorates for minorities, further entrenching the ghettoization of Muslims in Indian politics. Hindutva groups actively support this administrative marginalization by exploiting cultural and religious festivals to incite communal tensions, leveraging differences to divert attention from social and economic issues prevalent across the broader society.
Encroachment on Religious Freedom and Cultural Rights
The prevailing atmosphere of discrimination manifests in multiple forms, including attempts to regulate religious expressions. Incidents during public celebrations—whether it be Eid or Diwali—have increasingly turned contentious, with BJP leaders and affiliated groups inciting protests against Muslim traditions. For instance, the Uttar Pradesh government has imposed restrictions on public prayers, particularly targeting namaz during Eid, citing “public order” as a justification.
In Maharashtra, local governments have curtailed traditional practices like goat sacrifice during Eid, heightening tensions on social and community levels. Furthermore, even without direct political intervention, social boycotts manifest in Hindu extremists targeting Muslim artisans and traders during significant religious festivals, which exacerbates financial strain on the community.
