Some Muslim leaders are questioning the use of the word “minority” to refer to Muslims in political speeches and official statements. They feel that this euphemism is unpleasant and avoid the use of the word “Muslim”. The issue was raised by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) at a recent event in New Delhi, with concerns about how political parties refer to Muslims as “minority” while other religious groups are mentioned by their religious identity. This practice has led to Muslim leaders feeling marginalized and overlooked in the political discourse.
Muslim leaders argue that the avoidance of the word “Muslim” is a strategy by opposition parties to avoid polarizing Hindu voters in favor of the ruling party, BJP. They believe that the BJP relies on polarizing voters along religious lines, and mentioning Muslims frequently in political speeches could benefit the BJP at the expense of secular opposition parties.
However, Muslim leaders in secular parties emphasize the importance of not overemphasizing religious identity in public settings. They point to examples like the Shaheen Bagh movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act- (CAA), 2019, where constitutional language was used effectively to counter anti-Muslim sentiments.
The sentiment among Muslim leaders is that displaying religious identity too overtly can backfire in elections where Muslims are in the minority. Secular parties like Congress have been successful in countering divisive politics by the BJP, but Muslim leaders are cautious about demanding overt recognition of their religious identity in political discourse.
Instead, Muslim leaders are advocating for a focus on demanding better opportunities for the community, such as jobs, education, and business prospects. They believe that forming pressure groups and advocating for economic empowerment will be more beneficial in the long run.
In conclusion, the debate around the use of the term “Muslim” in political discourse reflects the complex dynamics of identity politics in India. Muslim leaders are grappling with how to balance their religious identity with political pragmatism, seeking to navigate a landscape where communal tensions are high. The focus is on advocating for tangible benefits for the community rather than symbolic gestures around religious identity, to ensure long-term progress and empowerment for Muslims in India.
Source: indiatomorrow.net
Post Managed by: Shajiya Shaon, Moderator, World Sufi Media Dot Com
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