The glaring omission of Muslims in the new Indian cabinet serves as a critical reminder of the importance of political representation and inclusivity in a diverse and democratic society
By Iftikhar Gilani
On a serene Sunday evening, Narendra Modi took his oath as Prime Minister of India for the third time. It, however, became clear that the largest minority group which is the Muslim community would not find any place in his 71-member jumbo council of ministers.
The exclusion of Muslims from Modi’s council of ministers has sparked a significant debate about the inclusion and representation of minorities under his rule.
Since India gained independence in 1947, Muslim representation in the union cabinets has been a common practice.
Over the decades, 43 Muslims have served in various cabinets under different prime ministers.
Modi’s previous terms were no exception, with prominent Muslim figures like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Najma Heptulla, and M J Akbar holding key positions.
Naqvi, who served as the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, retired in 2022 after his term in the Rajya Sabha ended and was not nominated for re-election. Since his retirement, there has been no Muslim presence in the cabinet.
The current absence of Muslim ministers marks a significant departure from tradition. Even in the BJP-led governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Muslims like Shahnawaz Hussain and Omar Abdullah held important positions.
This complete absence is raising concerns about the political representation of the Muslim community, which numbers over 200 million.
The BJP’s approach to the 2024 general elections further highlights this issue.
The party fielded only one Muslim candidate in Malappuram, Kerala, who subsequently lost.
Out of 78 Muslim candidates, who were fielded by various political parties, 24 were elected. In the past Muslims held a more significant share of parliamentary seats, with 9% representation in the mid-1980s when they made up 11% of the population.
Today, despite constituting 14% of the population, their representation has dwindled to less than 5%.
This declining trend is evident in the composition of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha, where there are no Muslim MPs.
The only Muslim MP from the NDA in the last parliament, Mahboob Ali Qaisar from Bihar’s ally Lok Janshakti Party, was not appointed as a minister. This exclusion from ministerial positions highlights the broader issue of inadequate political representation for Muslims in the current administration.
Contrastingly, the new cabinet does include members from other minority communities, though they are fewer in number compared to Muslims.
Sikh and Christian communities, represented by Hardeep Singh Puri, Ravneet Singh Bittu, George Kurien, and Kiren Rijiju, have secured positions in the cabinet.
Notably, Sikhs and Christians make up 1.72% and 2.3% of India’s population, respectively.
Bittu’s inclusion, despite losing his seat, and Kurien’s appointment without contesting the election, further underlines the selective treatment of minorities.
The cabinet’s composition also reflects an emphasis on caste-based representation, with 10 Dalits, 27 members from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), 21 from ‘upper’ castes, and five from tribal groups.
This detailed representation underscores a strategic approach to addressing caste dynamics within the political landscape.
For instance, Bihar, a critical state for the BJP, now has eight ministers, representing a balanced mix of OBCs, upper castes, and Dalits. This move is seen as a strategic effort ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.
Similarly, states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh have witnessed careful consideration in the appointment of ministers.
In Haryana, influential leaders from the Ahir and Gurjar communities have been included, while in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has endeavoured to balance representation among different caste groups.
Critics argue that the exclusion of Muslims is a deliberate strategy by the BJP to marginalize the community.
This exclusion raises significant questions about Modi’s commitment to inclusive governance and the broader implications for Indian democracy.
As the nation progresses, the glaring omission of Muslims in the cabinet serves as a critical reminder of the importance of political representation and inclusivity in a diverse and democratic society.
