In Rampur, India, where over 50% of the population comprises Muslims, the city’s representative in Parliament strongly aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-centric policies.
In Hindu-majority India, where many anticipate a probable win for the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Prime Minister Modi in the upcoming general elections, the presence of Muslim candidates is often perceived as a potential factor for electoral loss. Despite Muslims constituting nearly 18% of India’s 1.4 billion population, their parliamentary representation has significantly reduced to less than 5% since the 1970s.
Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi, a confident candidate for re-election as MP for Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, stated that everyone desires a connection with the BJP. Lodhi, a Hindu, replaced the previous Muslim MP in a 2022 by-election, switching parties to join the BJP. This transition has raised concerns among Muslim leaders regarding their representation, as there were only 27 Muslim MPs in the 543-seat lower house of parliament, and none of them were among the BJP’s 310 lawmakers.
Ziya Us Salam, the author of a book discussing Muslims in India, asserts that for many years, followers of this faith have relied on secular political parties. This reliance has led to a significant “lack of Muslim leadership.” While today, a prominent Muslim leader might face accusations of fueling religious divisions, there is little critique when Modi advocates for India as a “Hindu Rashtra” or Hindu state. Salam said, “Modi is the leader of only Hindus”
‘Unable to vote’
Since 1952, Rampur has witnessed Muslim MPs being elected 15 out of 18 times. However, 71-year-old activist and writer Kanwal Bharti, a Rampur resident, believes that the BJP’s dominance makes it seem unlikely for a Muslim candidate to win in the future.
The last Muslim MP from Rampur was Mohammad Azam Khan, a seasoned politician, who resigned due to over 80 legal cases filed against him, including land grabbing and intimidating government officials. His supporters argue that many of these accusations were from years past and were only brought forth after the BJP’s victory in the 2017 state elections.
In 2023, Khan received a three-year imprisonment for expressing hate speech against BJP opponents. Previous elections faced accusations that security forces obstructed Muslims from voting.
A court case claiming manipulation of a 2022 parliamentary by-election in Muslim-majority areas, alleging “unconstitutional means” to suppress voters, was dismissed due to a technicality. Some Muslim residents in Rampur are concerned about voting in the upcoming election.
Mohammad Salam Khan, a 75-year-old, expressed his apprehension at his son’s electrical repair shop, stating, “If the conditions of the last election are repeated, I will again not be able to vote.”
‘Intimidation’ and ‘elimination’
Asaduddin Owaisi, a prominent lawmaker, highlights a broader trend, stating that secular parties often hesitate to nominate Muslim candidates due to concerns about their appeal to Hindu voters. Owaisi claims political parties, particularly the ruling party, contribute to fear against Muslims. He further emphasizes the difficulty Muslim candidates face in winning elections.
The BJP refutes accusations of “active discrimination” based on religion, arguing that representation depends on candidates’ electoral success. However, the party’s few Muslim candidates in recent national elections have not been successful, leading to allegations of disinterest in their campaigns. BJP spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon told AFP that the party aims to have representatives from all communities ideally.
Salam, the author, expresses concern that Muslims are being excluded from democratic participation. He mentions various tactics, such as not providing them with political tickets, redrawing constituencies, or preventing them from voting. According to Salam, this is not only about intimidation but also about actively removing their presence in the democratic process.
