Muslim Representation in Indian Politics

Since 1947
Nisar A. Malik
Abdul Majid

Almost 60 % of the Muslims of the world live in countries where

they form the majority of population with their own governments.
Thus most of the academic works by and about Muslims have
tended to concentrate on issues facing the Muslim majorities. A
little academic attention, however, has been given to the Muslim
minorities across the world living under various political systems.
One such minority group is that of Indian Muslims, whose
political problems have not yet been probed academically. The
Indian Muslims' political problems need to be investigated
scholarly.

Introduction
Indian Muslims constitute the second largest religious group after the
Hindus with the status of the largest minority amongst the minorities dwelling in
Indian Union. They, however, are scattered across the country having majority
only in Jammu &Kashmir and a Union Territory of Lakshadweep 78% and 96%
respectively. It would be instructive to note here that prior to partition of India,
Muslims constituted almost 24% of total Indian population. Of course, the creation
of Pakistan separating the Muslim majority areas from India, the proportion of
Muslim population decreased. Now, in accordance with the 2011 census report, the
Muslims constituted nearly 14.1% officially, however certain unofficial sources
maintain that the figures shown in 2011 census were not correct. They believe that
the Muslims population was almost 20 to 25% of total Indian population. Despite,
the Muslim political representation in Indian political institutions the Upper as well
as the Lower Houses (Lok Sabah & Rajyia Sabah) and State Assemblies is very
low as compared to their population proportion. This study is an attempt to
highlight the Muslim political deprivation in Indian decision making bodies and
problems they are facing in Indian political process under five subheadings.
1. Muslim Politics in India _pre-partition
2. Muslims in Indian political process _post partition
3. Muslims' expectations with the Congress
4. Indian Muslims under Hindutva Politics
5. Political Deprivation of the Indian Muslims since 1947
500 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Muslim Politics----- Pre- Partition

Following the failure of the war of independence 1857, a constitutional

movement had initiated by the British Indian government introducing Council's
Act 1961.Therfore, limited political activities were allowed to the natives. In this
regard Mr A.O Hume a retired bureaucrat, after hectic task formed the Indian
National Congress (INC) in 1885, in order to take local (Hindu and Muslim)
political leadership in confidence. But Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan, a Muslim
reformist advised the Muslims not to join the Congress, thinking that time was not
ripe for them to take part in politics as British rulers had annoyed against the
Muslims holding them sole responsible for mutiny of 1857(Mirza , 1997, 25).
As the Muslim rule in India witnessed a state of decline that
coupled with a crisis of leadership. During the period of decline, it seems that the
Muslim mothers had ceased to born babies with the quality of leadership with
some exemptions. Particularly, while the British were ruling, the Muslims were
completely a mob without any leader. On the contrary, the Hindu community was,
however, enjoying with sane and capable leadership getting developed politically
in the same period. The Hindu leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy founder of
Brahamo Samaj (1828), Sawami Dayanand Sraswati the founder of Arya Samaj
(1875), Keshab Chandersen the founding father of Prathana Samaj (1867) and Dr.
Keshave Baliram Hedgewer the founder of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (1925)
rife with the sense of Hindu Nationalism (Mallick,chapter,1). However, ironically
in Muslim fold not a single person was there with such stature except Sir Sayed
Ahmad Khan (1817_1898). In the mid of nineteenth century Sir Sayed came
forward in this age of darkness taking the responsibility to lead the Muslims of
Subcontinent politically as well as educationally (Mirza,1997,31). This was the
time the Muslims were under the British oppression considering them the rebels
and responsible of mutiny of 1857 (Riaz, 1982, 30). Therefore, Sir Sayed devised a
strategy of reconciliation with the British and uplift of the Muslims in the fields of
politics and education so as to they could be able to stand their own feet and face
hardships .In this regard Sir Sayed strived hard to bridge the gap between the rulers
and the Muslims, convincing both the sides for co -existence.

Sir Sayed's services, he rendered for political uplift of the Muslims of

Subcontinent never be forgotten. He led the Muslim community dexterously
whether it be the issue of Urdu-Hindi (1867) or the establishment of the I.N.C
(1885). When he was appointed as the member of the Imperial Legislative Council
he strived his best to save the political interests of the Muslims. While addressing
the annual session of Muhammadan Educational Conference at Lucknow he
demanded separate electorate for the Muslims and prior to that at the time of Urdu-
Hindi conflict he also expressed his views maintaining that it seems both the
nations (Hindus and Muslims) would never join wholeheartedly in anything
(Mirza, 1997, 32).Therefore he was rightly entitled as the founding father of Two
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 501

Nation Theory.

After the death of Sir Sayed (1898), the Muslims were forced to take part
in Indian politics under certain political measures taken by the British Indian
Government. i.e the division of Bengal(1905)and the Hindus' reaction against it .In
the same year the British govt demonstrated its resolve to have certain political
reforms to make the political system even more affective and beneficial to the
people of India. In these circumstances the Muslims had decided to shun their
political inactiveness as Hasan Riaz rightly portrayed the Muslims' political
situation in these words,
Therefore, the Muslim leaders decided to meet the Viceroy to safeguard
Muslim political interests. In this regard the Muslims constituted a delegation in
1905 under the leadership of Sir Agha Khan. The Muslim delegation met with
Lord Minto at Simla with their demands, the principal of them was the separate
electorate for Muslims. As for as Viceroy's reply is concerned, responding
affirmatively, encouraged the delegation to have their own political party and such
demands ought to be presented through its platform.(Riaz,1987,52-53)

The success of Simla Deputation encouraged the Muslims to frame their

own political party, hence, All India Muslim League came into being in 1906.Both
the events proved to be a turning point towards the Muslim politics in
India.(Qureshi,1987,29-30)In upcoming years the All India Muslim League
became the sole political representative party of Muslims. From the very inception
of its establishment it succeeded to have acceptance of separate electorate from the
British government in 1909 and then from the Congress in 1916 under Lucknow
Pact.It can be said, that upcoming years witnessed the separate electorate provided
the basis of Two Nation Theory the very foundations to create Pakistan in
1947.(Riaz,1987,56)
Lucknow Pact and Khilafat Movement caused to bring close the Hindus
and the Muslims however, following the end of Khilafat Movement, cleavage of
distrust between both the communities emerged once again. Thus, the communal
riots erupted in different areas claiming innocent lives.(Riaz,1987,150-151)
Henceforth, the Hindus and the Muslims split their political paths for ever
emerging a situation of action and re-action. As one political party presented a
formula to settle the political differences the other rejected it forthwith. In this
regard ,Nehru Report 1928, Jinnah's Fourteen Points 1929 were the principal
precedents. Other political incidents of great significance were Alama Iqbal's(a
great philosopher and poet) annual address to the Muslim League at Allahabad in
1930 with outlines of a separate homeland for the Muslims of Subcontinent, the
502 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Round Tables Conferences held in London(1930-1932)with no solution of India's

political problems.(Qureshi,1987,378-379)
It would be worthwhile to describe here that from the mid of nineteenth
century to his death, Sir Syed with leadership qualities and dynamic personality
,successfully led Muslim Community for almost 40 years. However, with the start
of 20th century, the Muslim India witnessed another dynamic as well as energetic
political personality of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Mr Jinnah emerged on the Indian
political scenario in 1906 joining the Congress, however, he came into the fold of
the Muslim League in 1913. He was then a great proponent of Hindu- Muslim
unity, therefore , he succeeded to have Lucknow Pact in 1916 under which the
Congress agreed with Muslim demand of separate electorate. It was a great
political success, Mr Jinnah, so for achieved. With the acceptance of the right of
separate electorate, the Two Nation Theory, strongly got embed in Indian Muslim
politics. With the passage of time the very tow nation theory provided the
foundations of Pakistan. Finally, it could be said that the Hindu and Muslim
politics with the end of Khilafat Movement(1922) became poles apart and parallel.
The Muslim leadership, under the fear of Hindu majority was demanding certain
Constitutional political safeguards in order to keep intact Muslim political interests
as well as Muslim identity. On the other hand, the majority community, the
Hindus, denying the Muslim demands obstinately ,was of the view that special
political rights to a specific political group were out of question. Political analysts
analyse that it was the principal bottleneck, caused to enhance the cleavage of
political distrust between both the communities leading to the partition of
Subcontinent eventually.

Muslims in Indian Political Process___ Post -partition

Following the partition of India a reasonable Muslim population had to
remain in India under various circumstances , specially the Muslims belonging to
provinces with Muslim minority as Muslims majority provinces became Pakistan.
The Muslims remained in India had to re-adjust themselves politically as well as
socially under new environment. However, the circumstances were not conducive
at large as they were seen responsible of the division of motherland, therefore not
enough trustworthy. (Ausaf,1993,40)
After independence, the Muslims were kept deprive of their right to
separate electorate constitutionally for which they had fought for long
wholeheartedly before partition and eventually attained it in 1909.
Notwithstanding, the Congress, too accepted it under Lucknow Pact(1916)with
weightage/Passing formula. According to which the Muslims in Punjab and Bengal
became majority to minority causing unrest in certain Muslim political
circles.(Khalique-ul-zaman,1961,37)Amazingly ,the number of Muslim members
were 31 out of a total 235 in Indian constituent assembly ,did not raise their voice
forcefully in favour of separate electorate except tow Muslim members,
Muhammad Ismail and B.Pokar Sahib stanchly opposed the move tabled to abolish
the separate electorate, however the motion was approved by overwhelming
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 503

majority of 53 to 2 .(Muslim India July 1994)The representation in Indian

democratic institutions witnessed a gradual decline in Independent India thanks to
abolishing of their right to separate franchise. In this regard only fragile and
meagre protest was exhibited by the Muslim members ,ironically, a Muslim female
member of constituent assembly gave her favour to joint electorate ,regretfully,
Abu-ul- Kalam Azad and Maulana Hafiz-ul-Rehman kept mum without giving
their opinion for or against the reservation of seats for Muslims in Assemblies
(central or States Assemblies)as had been reserved for under-privileged Classes
within Hindus on the basis of economic as well as educational backwardness.
While the Indian Muslims were even more backward than that of Hindu backward
classes. This was the political havoc the Hindu political leaders played with the
Indian Muslims politically marginalizing ,however having in a position of
Kingmaker.( Muslim India ,July,199
Regretfully, Hindu scheduled castes and backward tribes were awarded
with reserved 116 parliamentary seats in Lok Sabah and 485 seats in State
Assemblies not considering for such political concession to Indian Muslims being
even more deserving. Therefore a sharp decline in Muslims' representation in
Indian decision making bodies can be witnessed after independence. The table
below shows the Muslim representation in Indian lower house (Lok Sabah) 1947to
2004.
Year Total Seats No of Muslim Members
1947 235 31

1952 489 21
1957 494 24
1962 494 23
1967 520 29
1971 518 30
1977 542 34
1980 529 49
1984 542 46
1989 529 33
1991 534 28
1996 543 28
1998 543 29
1999 543 32
2004 543 36
(Ansari,2006,64)

Owing to repeal of separate electorate or the introduction of joint

electorate, the Muslims have to undergo a decline in political representation in
State Assemblies as well. Certain State Assemblies with reasonable Muslim
population demonstrate even further bleak and dreary picture, for instance , Assam,
504 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Behar, Kairala, Karanatka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP and West Bengal had large
population according to the census held in 1991 but representation was low.
Table showing Indian States with reasonable Muslim population(1991)

Name of States Muslim population(Percent)

Assam 28.43

Behar 14.81

Kairla 23.23
Karnatka 11.64

Maharashtra 9.67

Rajasthan 8.01

UP 17.33
West Bengal 33.61

(Muslim India ,New Delhi, 1995,344-345)

Despite having been a substantial part of population of above said States

the Muslim proportion of elected members was very low, for example, out of 3487
States Assemblies seats of various States, the elected Muslim members were only
182 in 1967 Assemblies elections.(Gauba,1976,236) The causes and reasons of
Muslims' exclusion from the Indian politics and Muslims' dropout in general
elections of Lok Sabah and State Assemblies are numerous in nature. As Prof.
Javaid Alam says that" Muslim politics has disappeared from India after
independence". He, further called Muslim a single community in terms of religion,
however, Muslim in India are not a single entity, language and religion are their
separate features. Explaining, he describes that the Muslim politics in UP is
different from Bengal. (EPW,january,2008) Asghar Ali Engineer analyses the
Muslim under representation in Indian politics with these worlds that" exclusion of
Muslims from Indian politics was a result of the religious prejudices. Muslims and
Christians have been doubly excluded from Socio-economic and political
process."(Engineer,Oct15,2007)

Muslims' Expectations with the Congress

Immediately following the partition of India the Muslims who had
decided to remain in India had to victimize unexpected political as well as social
hostile situation. Their political party during pre-partition era, the Muslim League
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 505

with its political leaders claimant of guardian of their interests had fled to Pakistan
disappearing from the scene. They, While leaving them on the mercy of majority,
the Hindus, advised them to remain faithful to their government. Some Muslim
leaders who had decided to make India as their home found busy in reparation for
their old sins, showing their political loyalties to their new political masters i.e. the
Congress leadership. The principal hardships and bottlenecks the Indian Muslims
were encountering during that period were mass bloodshed, massacre and mass
immigration. The Muslims were actually in a state of great shock, unable to forge
their future political plan.(Asari,1989:67)
The Muslims' political leadership did believe that after partition
their political future was linked with the Congress having a secular character. In
this regard Maulana Abu -ul Kalam Azad had presented guidelines while speaking
in a convention at Lucknow. Smelling the gravity of the situation they decided to
extend their political support to Congress and refrain to have any exclusive Muslim
political party on that critical juncture. Hence , they were of the view that the
Muslim should vote to Congress and did the same in 1952,1957 and 1962
elections. Jahawarlal Nehru, a versatile personality with robust faith upon
socialism and secularism had great attraction for the Muslims. It would be
pertinent to note here that the Muslims had no other alternative except to depend
upon the Congress with the Muslim League dissolved after partition and its leaders
drained off to Pakistan, the Jama'yat Ulemai Hind the proponent of nationalist
Muslim politics in the pre-partition era, too had to withdraw the Indian politics and
decided to work in future, mainly in cultural as well as religious arenas. Similarly,
Jamat-e-Islami exhibited its indifference to politics as well.(EPW, Jan ,2-9,
1993:43) Thus, the Muslims had no alternative, except to join the Congress.
In the first three elections held in 1952, 1957 and in 1962,Indian Muslims
wholeheartedly supported and voted to Congress. In the first general elections held
in 1952,of the total Muslim legislators 145 belonged to the Indian National
Congress(INC). While during the second elections the Muslims obtained 131 seats
using platform of the Congress, the majority of the Muslim members came from
UP. The Muslim support to the Congress was evident from the number of votes
polled in the first three elections in three states with reasonable Muslim population.
See table below:
State 1952 1957 1962
UP 72.09 57.97 42.27
W/Bengal 56.10 50.63 51.73

Source: Gopal krishna, Framework of Politics in Minority Crises, a

Symposium published in seminar 106 June 1968:34.

A gradual decline in Muslims' vote to the Congress could be observed in

above stated data. with the passage of time the Indian Muslims had lost their faith
in this political party as it did nothing to meet the Muslims' expectations they had.
506 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Their principal expectations were: safety and security of their lives and properties
and a proportional share in govt jobs, education, economics and representation in
political institutions, however were shattered. They, therefore initiated to ponder
upon the other alternatives.(Khalidu,1995:177)
In 1959 certain measures were taken to revive the Indian Muslim League
but proved fruitless, however prior to this ,Indian Union Muslim League managed
to elect one Muslim member to the Lok Sabah in 1957 and in 1962. It was the first
ever Muslim endeavour proved to be succeeded exclusively. Some regional
political organizations like Ittehad-ul-Muslimeem did attain some successes in
State elections, but could not extend its influence outside of Hyderabad
city(Akhter,1996:28) The Indian Muslims' disillusionment with
the Congress emerged during communal riots erupted in 1963 caused great lose to
the Muslims in terms of life and property. Therefore, the Muslims did consider that
the Congress had betrayed their trust doing nothing to protect their lives and
properties having political dominance at national level despite unconditional
political support to the Congress. They were also of the view that the Congress had
failed to address their grievances in terms of low representation in central as well
as in state assemblies, education backwardness as compared to other communities
discrimination in govt jobs i.e. administrative services, police and
army.(Kalidi,1995:176) Under above stated grievances, the Congress had
deliberately ignored, the Muslim leadership was compelled to review its
continuing dependence on it, therefore they decided to take apart to the Congress.
It was evident from results came out in 1967 elections, most of the Muslims in
these elections did not vote to Congress in West Bengal, UP and Bihar. The
Muslim leaders felt that it was the need of the day to have their own separate and
exclusive political party which could provide a political platform, so that they
could elect their own political representatives to safeguard not only their political
interests but prove to be a tool to address their other socio- economic and
educational problems.(Khalidi,1995:177)
In this regard, the Muslim Majlis-i-Mushawarat(Muslim Consultative
Committee or MMM) a band of different Muslim Organizations was set up in 1964
in Lucknow, devising a new strategy to articulate Muslim hardships, in 1967
published a people's manifesto under which Muslim demands and grievances were
outlined.(Khalidi, 1995:177) Despite mass expectations the MMM failed to deliver
in 1967 elections at national level ,notwithstanding, it succeeded to some extent in
UP and Bihar, successfully raising the political awareness among Muslim masses.
The failure of MMM led to revival of Majlis -i- ittehad -al Muslimeen(MIM)
founded in 1927 in Andhra Pradesh. The MIM's performance was satisfactory as
compared to MMM, as it won three assembly seats in 1967.Since then it improved
its performance winning one Lok Sabah seat in 1984, in 1989 and then 1991.
However, despite better output till 1991,it had to undergo humiliating defeat in
1994 general elections thanks to split in party folds and Majlis-Bachao-Tehreek
(MBT) a move to save the Majlis was set up by Amanullah Khan.(Muslim
India,1995:7) It would be safe to say, although the Muslims had politically split
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 507

themselves from the Congress's bandwagon, however they could not do anything
of significance politically, while economic and educational problems of the
Muslims remained stand still as yet, Himalaya like task has yet to be done to bring
the Indian Muslims at par with other communities residing in India, in every
sphere of life.

Indian Muslims Under Hindutva Politics

Since independence, the Indian Muslims are living in a state of fear of

assimilation by majority community, particularly its revivalist and fundamentalist
elements. With the passage of time the Muslim dread of absorption became all the
more real with communalizing both the Indian society and politics. In this respect
Hindus' religio-political organizations such as RSS,BD,VHP,JS, Hindu
Mahasabah, Bahartya Mazdoor Sangh and BJP are playing havoc with Muslims,
socially they are scorned and politically they have marginalized under Hindutva
doctrine .What is Hindutva?. Simply, its means Hinduness or Hinduizing the
Indian society and politics replacing secularism and pluralism. Certain details, in
this regard are as under;
According to Gowalkar, a supreme ideologue of Hinduism and chief of
RSS until his death(1973)"India is a land of Hindus and in the land of Hindus lives
and should live Hindu Nation."(India Today, New Delhi, Feb 15,1993) Gowalkar
was the founding father of "Hindutva Ideology" and set parameters for "Sangh
Parivar" the ( Hindu brotherhood)in 1951 following lifting of ban the Indian govt
had imposed thanks to the assassination of M.K. Gandhi by a RSS activist in 1948.
Sangh Parivar is an association of various Hindu revivalist bands ,the names of
these groups already have states above. All these Hindu militant organizations
have one point agenda to have revive Hinduism(Hindutva) in India. BJP the
currently ruling party in India essentially is a political wing of RSS strongly
opponent of the partition of India, however following the partition, its leadership
forged a strategy to establish Hindu Rashtra. In this regard M.S. Golwalkar devised
a new concept of "nationlizing" the non- Hindus(Muslims) in independent India.
He maintained that non-Hindus should "adopt the Hindu culture and language, in
order to become a part of mainstream of Indian society, they must glorify the
Hindu race and withdraw their separate identity to amalgamate themselves in
Hindu society.(Graham,1990:18)Hindutva philosophy is essentially a move to
make India a Hindu Rashtra under the supremacy of Hinduism. According to
Hindutva ideology a person cannot be a Hindu unless he declares with firm faith
that India is a holy land. Similarly, Hindu philosophy does hold that the non-
Hindus are internal threat to Indian(Hindu) society, particularly the Muslims.

During post-partition era, Hindutva ideology caused abhorrence among

various communities living in India and the cleavage of distrust between the
Hindus and the Muslims escalated as the Muslims were considered alien, unwanted
element, were advised to total subordination to Hindus or should be expelled to the
508 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

areas from where they entered into India.(Candra,1984:348) In this regard Bal
Thackeray, a prominent Hindu revivalist while interviewing in 1984 asked the
Muslims to" prove their bona fide, their credibility, their spirit" he further
questioned "whether they are Muslim in India or Muslim of India. If they are
Muslim in India then their place in Pakistan". During the interview he further
maintained that" if I came to power, I will give them 48 hours to prove that they
belong to this country".(Illustrated Weekly of India,Bombay,Feb19,1984) This is
the revivalist Hindu leadership with adverse mindset against their countrymen
having divers faith, the Muslims. The first
demonstration of Hindutva belligerence appeared on the eve of partition of India in
1947,claiming almost one million innocent lives mostly the Muslims. In the
upcoming years, the gravity of Hindutva belligrence even more intensified in the
form of anti-Muslim riots. According to some reliable sources, almost 47000
communal(anti-Muslim) riots have took place so for, claiming hundred of
thousand Muslim lives.(Spotlight, 1994:11)
Indian politics has steadily communalized as all political parties exploit
communalism in order to muster political gains in one way or the other. The
decade of 1980 witnessed a sharp communalization in Indian politics. Nearly 500
organizations having communal nature with militant wings had set up, working
for different political parties to get political leverage. In this regard the Congress,
champion of secularism, was not next to non, after the death of Nehru, contributed
for the politicization of religion to accumulate the Hindu vote, Indra Gandhi and
Rajiv Gandhi, the former was daughter and the letter was grandson of Nehru,( the
hero of Indian secularism) played with the Hindu religious sentiments to garner
Hindu vote during 1980s'. Hindu communalism touched its heights in December
1992 with razing the historical Babri Masque by Hindutva belligerents under the
leadership of L.K Advani a BJP Leader latter became home minister of Vajpaie
government(1998-2004). It was as open secret to the Indian Muslim that they as
well as their places of worship under severe Hindutva threat.(Spotlight,1994:11)
Babri Masque episode proved to be first step for BJPs' Political success as in 1998
it formed Union govt in India after winning the elections and then a land slide
victory in 2014 elections under Modi.

Political Deprivation of Muslims

Indian democracy operates under multiparty system with dozens of

political parties on national as well as regional level having varied manifestos,
some have secular posture while some have communal agenda such as the
Congress and BJP. The Indian National Congress, Indian Union Muslim League,
BJP and Communist Party of India are national level parties while National
Conference, Telegu Desham, DMK etc are regional level parties.

As for as Muslim political participation and voting trend is concerned a

number of theories are there with analysis whether Indian Muslims vote en block
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 509

to assist any political party or vice versa. It is, observed that Indian Muslims
always go with national mood as the election results in 1967,1971 and 1977
confirm the statement. A bitter reality, notwithstanding regarding Muslims'
winning of parliamentary seats is, in every election very few Muslim candidates
get elected themselves under existing political process as the separate electorate
had withdrawn from the very inception and reserved seats were not granted to the
Muslims as have been specified for scheduled casts and other backward classes.
Therefore, the Muslims have deliberately been kept under represented since
independence. In 1984 elections the total Lok Sabha seats were 544 the Muslims
captured only 46 seats while it must be 62 proportionally. See table below;
State wise Muslim members of Parliament,1984

Name of state Lok Sabha Rajya Sabha Total

AP 1/42 2/18 3/60

Bihar 4/54 2/22 6/76
Gujarat 1/26 1/11 3/37
J&K 2/6 3/4 5/10
Kerala 3/20 2/9 5/29
Maharashtra 3/47 3/19 6/66
Rajasthan 0/25 2/10 2/35
Tamil Nadu 1/39 1/18 2/57
UP 17/85 6/34 23/119
W/Bengal 7/42 1/16 8/58
Lakshadweep 1/1 - 1/1
Assam 0/7 0/2 0/9
Himachal Pradesh 0/4 0/3 0/7
Manipur 0/4 0/1 0/5
Nagaland 0/1 0/1 0/2
Meghalaya 0/2 0/1 0/3
Orissa 0/21 0/10 0/31
Punjab 0/13 0/7 0/20
Sikkim 0/1 0/1 0/2
Tripura 0/2 0/1 0/3
Other Union Territories 0/17 0/6 0/27

(Ausaf,1993:28) Table above manifests that Muslim

representation in parliament abysmally low as compared to their population, owing
to communalization of Indian society. So much so ,almost thirteen States with no
Muslim representation. In 1994,Muslim political deprivation even more
aggrandized. Table below portrays the real situation;
510 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

State wise Muslim representation, June,1994

State Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha
Total Muslim %age Total Muslim %age
AP(8.75) 18 02 11.11 42 - 7.14
Assam 07 - - 14 01
7.14
Bihar(14.13) 22 02 9.09 54
06 11.11
Gujarat(8.53) 11 01 9.09 26 -
Haryana(4.05) 05 - - 10 -
J&K(64.19) 04 - - NA
NA -
Karnataka(11.05) 12 01 8.33 28
03 10.71
Kerala(21.25) 09 01 11.11 20
01 05
MP(4.80) 16 01 6.25 40 -
-
Maharashtra(9.25)19 19 02 10.52 48
01 2.08
Manipur(6.99) 01 - - -
NA NA
Orissa 10 - - 21 -
-
Rajasthan(7.28) 10 - - 25
01 4.00
Tamil Nadu(5.21) 18 01 5.56 39
01 2.56
Tripura(6.75) 01 - - NA
NA -
UP(15.53) 34 06 17.65 85
03 3.52
W/Bengal(21.51) 16 01 06.25 42
05 11.90
Delhi(7.75) 03 02 66.67 07 -
-
Source: Muslim India ,New Delhi July 1994:294.

State wise Muslim representation had suffered a blow of communalism

during the decades of 1980 and 1990 with Masjid -Minder controversy, caused a
gulf between Hindus and Muslims, resultantly Muslims could win only 27/544
Lok Sabha seats in 1994 elections as compared to 46/544 seats in 1984 elections.
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 511

Under communal influence all the political parties do not extend their political
support to Muslim candidates to get elected. Let alone other political parties, the
Congress, having secular stance never wholeheartedly supported Muslim
candidates in elections ,even party tickets to contest election, are not issued to
Muslims in accordance with their population proportion under growing
extremism.(Ausaf,1993:29)

Table below elaborates the situation;

Name of Party Average Nomination Ratio Elected to
Nomination
INC 6.72 1:2

BJP 0.82 1:10

CPI 4.24 1:9

CPI(M) 9.34 1:2

Janta Party 6.8 1:5

Janta Dal 9.04 1:4

Samajwadi Party 18.02 1:7

BSP 10.53 1:7

(Ansari,2006:99-102) Table above exhibits that Muslim

nomination for contesting election by large political parties is very low as against
the small parties. Almost 17 general elections have been held in India over the last
67 years of independence, however Muslim political deprivation has gradually
widened with 31 Muslim members of parliament in 1947 out of 235 while in 2004
elections the Muslim parliamentarians were only 36 out of 543
(13.1%to6.6%respectivlly).See table below;

Year Total Members Muslims Expected Deprivation in %

1947 235 31 ____ ___
1952 489 21 49 57.14
1957 494 24 49 51.02
1962 494 23 53 56.60
1967 520 29 56 48.21
1971 518 30 58 48.28
1977 542 34 61 44.26
1980 529 49 59 16.95
1984 542 46 62 25.81
512 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

1989 529 33 60 45.00

1991 534 28 65 56.00
1996 543 28 66 57.56
1998 543 29 66 56.06
1999 543 32 66 51.52
2004 543 36 66 45.45

(Ansari,2006:64)

Muslim representation in Indian parliament even more reduced in 2009

and 2014 elections particularly in 2014 general elections only 22Lok Sabah seats
won by Muslims as communal extremism, bigotry and prejudiced behaviour of
majority community towards Muslims was on full swing during election campaign
the BJP leadership had initiated.

Conclusion

John Stuart Mill, a great political philosopher had once said that " the first
principle of democracy is representation in proportion to members". In Indian
political process, Muslims are facing political deprivation with low political
representation to their population proportion since independence. It is widely
believed, however that India is a biggest and largest democracy in the world with
second largest population after China. In this regard Indians are proud of being
worlds' biggest democratic secular state gaining political as well as economic fruits
globally. But democracy and secularism do not bring any fundamental change in
every walk of life of Indian Muslims be it education ,economy or politics. Their
miserable plight speaks the volume against political leadership, repeatedly harping
and claiming that all segments of the Indian society including Muslims are getting
developed alike. However, conversely, with figures of various studies(Gopal Singh
Report,1983,Sachar Report,2006, Ranganath Report, 2007, NSSOs) tell other side
of the story. For instance, Indian Muslims constitute almost 15% of the total Indian
population according to 2011 census report, however unofficial sources do believe
that the actual Muslim population in India is in between 20% to 25% but their
share in education and in economy is hardly 3% while the political participation
was only 4.94% in 1994.While their participation was only 4.04% with 22 Lok
sabah seats in 2014 elections. Omer Khalidi, a well
known Indian writer, suggesting to overcome the political deprivation advised the
Muslims;
a) they can join one of the parties sympathetic to them with secular orientation,
b)they can work as pressure group with non-partisan posture and party affiliation,
or
c)they can set up their own political party and try to be a part of coalition
Muslim Representation in Indian Politics Since 1947 513

government to take political advantages.

Indian Muslims have tried all these approaches with no desired results.
This is largely owing to their scattered population throughout India, and abolishing
of separate electorate in 1950 without reserving of parliamentary seats for Muslims
leaving them on the mercy of majority community. Under the presence of politics
of hate, pseudo democracy and communalized political system, Muslim political
deprivation could never be addressed, unless or until meaningful electoral reforms
are not introduced in electoral system and Indian society is not purged of
communalism. At least either proportional electorate or parliamentary seats to be
reserved for Muslims as have been reserved for scheduled casts and other
backward classes(OBCs).
514 Pakistan Vision Vol. 21 No. 1

Notes andReferences

1 Ahmad, Aufas (1993)Indian Muslims, New Delhi, Khama Publishers.

2 Akhtar,Shaheen (1996) The State of Muslims in India, Islamabad, Institute of
Regional Studies.
3 Graham.B.D(1990)Hindu Nationalism and Indian Politics,Cambridge.
4 Spotlight on Regional Affairs (1994) Communal Violence in India,Islamabad.
5 Khalidi,Omar (1995) Indian Muslims Since Independence, New Delhi, Vikas
Publishing House.
6 Mallick,Shazana(1994) Hindu Revivalism and the Indian Muslims, Karachi,
Royal Book Company.
7 Mirza Sarfraz Hussain(1997) Hindu Muslim Conflict in South Asia (712_1947)
Lahore, Centre for South Asian Studies,Pu.
8 Ansari,Iqbal.A (1998) The Muslim Situation in India, New Delhi, Sterling
Publishers.
9 ____________(2006) Political Representation of Muslims in India, New Delhi,
Manak Publishers.
10 Engineer,Asghar Ali (2006) Muslims and India,New Delhi, Gyan Publishers.
11 _________________ (2008) Muslim Minority, Continuity and Change, New
Delhi, Gyan Publishers.
12 Illustrated Weekly of India,Bombay,Feb19, 1984.
13 Muslim India ,New Delhi,July,1994.