A day after the BJP’s electoral victory in Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a pointed critique of the Congress party, specifically targeting Rahul Gandhi for fostering divisions within Hindu society. Modi accused the Congress of strategically manipulating caste divisions to incite conflict among Hindus while simultaneously neglecting caste-related issues within the Muslim community. He asserted that Congress exploits caste dynamics within Hinduism for electoral gain while maintaining a deafening silence on casteism in Islam.
This critique aligns with the longstanding observations of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who, among the three Abrahamic faiths, was particularly vocal in his criticism of Islam. Ambedkar argued that much like Hinduism, the Muslim community in India is also stratified by caste-based hierarchies. However, this critical issue has often been sidelined for political reasons by secular parties that, prefer to focus on Hindu caste divisions. As a result, the nuanced reality of casteism within the Muslim community has largely remained unaddressed in the political discourse. In the following article, we will delve into the caste divisions in Muslims and the discrimination generated out of it.
PM Modi on casteism in Islam
Elaborating on Congress’ strategy, Modi stated, “Keep terrorising Muslims and convert them into a vote bank and consolidate it. No Congress leader has ever said that there are various castes among Muslims.” He further criticised Congress, saying, “They (Congress leaders) maintain silence over Muslim castes, but when it comes to Hindu society, Congress starts its conversation with castes. It is Congress policy to raise one Hindu caste against the other.”
He continued, “Congress knows the more the Hindus get divided, the more it will benefit. Congress wants to keep the fire ignited in Hindu society so that it can earn electoral brownie points.”
Dr Ambedkar on casteism in Islam
This is not the first time the prevalent casteism in Islam has been called out. Dr BR Ambedkar, among the three Abrahamic faiths, was particularly critical of Islam. It is a travesty that Ambedkar’s critiques of the caste system are often cited by ‘liberals’ to criticise Hinduism, while his incisive observations about Islam and the history of Muslims in India have largely been ignored.
In Pakistan or Partition of India, Ambedkar wrote, “Hinduism is said to divide people, and in contrast, Islam is said to bind people together. This is only a half-truth. For Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a close corporation, and the distinction that it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is a very real, very positive, and very alienating distinction. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is a brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only. There is a fraternity, but its benefit is confined to those within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation, there is nothing but contempt and enmity.”
Ambedkar further elaborated, “Take the caste system. Islam speaks of brotherhood. Everybody infers that Islam must be free from slavery and caste. Regarding slavery, nothing needs to be said. It stands abolished now by law. But while it existed, much of its support was derived from Islam and Islamic countries. But if slavery has gone, caste among Musalmans has remained. There can thus be no manner of doubt that the Muslim Society in India is afflicted by the same social evils as afflict the Hindu Society. Indeed, the Muslims have all the social evils of the Hindus and something more. That something more is the compulsory system of purdah for Muslim women.”
Caste in Muslims
Much like Hinduism, the Muslim community in India is divided by caste-based hierarchies, but this issue has often been sidelined for political reasons by secular parties. Indian Muslims are divided into three primary caste groups: Ashraf (upper caste, similar to Savarna Hindus), Ajlaf (comparable to OBC Hindus), and Arzal (comparable to SC Hindus).
Ashraf, who make up only about 15 per cent of the Muslim population, are considered “true Muslims” with foreign ancestry, such as Sayyeds, Mirza and Pathans. They hold social and political power, dominating the community’s leadership. Many Ashraf claim descent from Prophet Muhammad, which elevates their status within Muslim society.
Ajlaf consists of local converts, often from OBC backgrounds. They include groups like Qureshi, Ansari, and Julaha, who are regarded as “inferior” compared to Ashraf. Despite conversions, these Muslims still face hierarchical divisions.
Arzal, the most marginalised group, are Dalit converts to Islam. Their conversion promised equality, but they often remain excluded, facing discrimination similar to Hindu Dalits. They are the most economically and socially disadvantaged among Indian Muslims.
Collectively, Ajlaf and Arzal are termed Pasmanda Muslims, making up 85% of India’s Muslim population. Despite their large numbers, they are underrepresented in politics, education, and socio-economic power structures, which are dominated by the Ashraf elite.
The political exploitation of caste
Despite this entrenched casteism, political parties like Congress have historically avoided bringing caste divisions within Islam into the political discourse. Instead, Congress has focused on dividing the Hindu vote along caste lines for electoral gains while uniting Muslims under religious identity.
Ashraf Dominance in Politics: Between 1952 and 2004, out of 400 Muslim MPs elected to the Lok Sabha, 340 were from Ashraf backgrounds, further highlighting the political marginalisation of Pasmanda Muslims. The Ashraf minority continues to benefit from this system, with little political focus on the grievances of the Pasmanda community.
Congress’ strategy: Divide Hindus, unite Muslims
The Congress party’s strategy, as highlighted by various political commentators, has been clear: unite Muslims under a shared religious identity while dividing Hindus on caste lines. This approach has allowed Congress to consolidate Muslim votes while keeping intra-Muslim caste disparities hidden from public discourse.
For decades, the Congress ecosystem has discredited the caste system in Hinduism, labelling it as the root of social inequality, yet failed to address the caste issues plaguing Indian Muslims. Congress never targeted the Ashraf hegemony within the Muslim community, ensuring that the Muslim vote bank remained under the control of the Ashraf elite.
Casteism in the Muslim community remains a stark reality, but political strategies have kept this issue under wraps for decades. As India moves towards more inclusive political discussions, there is a growing call to acknowledge casteism within Islam, giving the marginalised Pasmanda Muslims a greater voice in both politics and society. The selective silence on this issue has resulted in disproportionate benefits for the Ashraf elite, while the majority, especially the Pasmanda community, remains sidelined.
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