The stark reality of caste-based discrimination within the Muslim community in Bharat has once again come to light, with shocking disparities in burial rights. If a kabristan (graveyard) is under government control, Pasmanda Muslims can be buried there without issue. However, if the same kabristan falls under the Waqf Board’s jurisdiction, Pasmanda Muslims are often denied burial rights, exposing the entrenched social hierarchy within the community.
Pasmanda Muslims, who form the majority of the Muslim population in Bharat, are systematically excluded from religious and social institutions dominated by Ashraf Muslims (upper-caste Muslims). This exclusion extends even to death, where Waqf Board-controlled burial spaces frequently refuse Pasmanda Muslims, citing historical caste-based segregation.
This deeply ingrained discrimination has sparked an outcry from Pasmanda activists and reformists. Vinod Agnihotri in podcast with Dr Faizi, a scholar on Islamic social structures of Pasmanda Muslims, challenged has challenged the widespread claim that caste divisions among Muslims in Bharat stem solely from Hindu influence. He highlights how tribal hierarchies in early Islamic history shaped leadership and power dynamics within the Muslim world, reinforcing social divisions.
While Islam professes equality, historical events suggest that social divisions existed from its inception. The appointment of Caliphs—specifically the contest between Abu Bakr and Ali—was not just a matter of religious leadership but also of tribal supremacy. This early struggle reflected an inherent preference for lineage-based hierarchies, a practice that later translated into caste-like discrimination among Muslim societies worldwide.
In Bharat, the problem was further exacerbated post-Islamic expansion. Many converts, particularly those from lower occupational castes, remained bound to their traditional roles despite embracing Islam. The Ashraf (elite) Muslims, who trace their lineage to foreign origins such as Persian, Arab, or Central Asian ancestry, have long maintained their dominance, relegating Pasmanda Muslims—comprising backward castes and Dalit Muslims—to a subjugated status.
One of the most blatant manifestations of this caste-based discrimination is the refusal to allow Pasmanda Muslims to bury their dead in Waqf Board cemeteries. These cemeteries, often controlled by Ashraf clerics and organisations, enforce an unofficial apartheid, segregating burial spaces based on caste. This practice contradicts the Islamic principle of universal brotherhood and equality before Allah.
Denial of burial rights is part of a larger pattern of exclusion that extends to religious leadership, education, and economic opportunities. While kabristans under direct government control are open to all Muslims, Waqf-controlled graveyards rigidly enforce caste barriers, forcing Pasmanda families to seek burial grounds in distant locations, adding to their grief and struggles.
The political awakening of Pasmanda Muslims has seen progress in states like Bihar, where reservations for backward Muslim castes have been introduced. However, awareness about these rights remains low, and implementation faces resistance from dominant Muslim groups.
Reports from several states indicate that Pasmanda Muslims often face resistance when trying to bury their deceased in Waqf-controlled kabristans. In cities like Lucknow, Patna, and Kolkata, multiple incidents have occurred where Pasmanda Muslims were denied burial plots, leading to protests and legal battles. In rural areas, attempts to bury their dead in Waqf-managed graveyards have led to graves being desecrated or bodies being exhumed, underscoring an unspoken apartheid within the community.
PM Modi’s push for Pasmanda Muslim welfare
Recognising the historical marginalisation of Pasmanda Muslims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to bring them into the mainstream through targeted welfare schemes. Under his leadership, initiatives such as scholarships, economic empowerment programs, and housing benefits have been introduced to uplift backward Muslim communities.
The BJP has also made a concerted effort to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims, ensuring their voices are heard in policymaking and development agendas. By highlighting their unique socio-economic challenges, PM Modi has sought to challenge the dominance of Ashraf elites and promote inclusivity in governance.
