Discrimination Faced by Pasmanda Muslims and Their Continuous Struggles

By Abdullah Mansoor, New Age Islam 9 October 2024 Book Details: • Title: Sachaai Ke Haq Mein Pasmanda Paksh • Author: Dr. Iqbal Ansari • Publication Year: 2024, Ghazipur • Price: ₹150 ------ Dr. Iqbal Ansari's book Sachaai Ke Haq Mein Pasmanda Paksh is an essential contribution that sheds light on the socio-economic and political conditions of the Pasmanda community within the Indian Muslim society. The book delves deep into the discrimination faced by Pasmanda Muslims and their continuous struggles. As a marginalized group within the Muslim community, the Pasmandas have long been oppressed by the dominance of the Ashraf class. Through this book, Dr. Ansari provides a thorough analysis of this inequality and suggests several concrete steps for its resolution. He emphasizes how Pasmanda Muslims face hurdles in education, employment, and political representation. The history of the Pasmanda movement is linked to India's freedom struggle, a time when voices against caste-based inequalities began to emerge. Dr. Ansari elaborates on the efforts of key Pasmanda leaders such as Ali Anwar and Ejaz Ali, who have been at the forefront of the fight for the rights of this community. The book emphasizes how Pasmanda Muslims have been marginalized within the social, economic, and political spheres, calling for immediate and necessary efforts to secure justice and equality for them. Born in 1959 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Iqbal Ansari is a medical professional by training who later dedicated himself to social service, advocating for the rights of Pasmanda Muslims. Over the years, he has been actively involved with organizations such as the Indian People’s Front and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). His deep commitment to the cause of Pasmanda Muslims is also evident in his work as the editor of Pasmanda Pehal, a magazine that focuses on the issues facing marginalized Muslim communities. His involvement in the Pasmanda movement is central to his identity, and this social commitment is reflected throughout his writing. Through his pen, Dr. Ansari aims to raise awareness about the real conditions of Pasmanda Muslims and encourage society to work towards their upliftment. One of the central themes in Dr. Ansari’s work is the religious and social discrimination faced by Pasmanda Muslims. He asserts that religious institutions like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the Deobandi, and the Barelvi sects have also played a part in perpetuating this discrimination. Pasmanda Muslims, often coming from laboring and economically deprived backgrounds, continue to struggle for basic necessities while the Ashraf Muslims monopolize religious and social leadership. The author highlights this disparity and explains how the Ashraf Muslims, under the guise of religious leadership, have obstructed the social and economic progress of Pasmanda Muslims. In his analysis, Dr. Ansari discusses how Pasmanda Muslims have been subjected to a form of "religious slavery." While the Ashraf Muslims live in comfort and enjoy privileges, the Pasmanda Muslims, deprived of resources, turn to religious institutions like shrines in a desperate quest for liberation. They suffer from poverty, hunger, and underdevelopment. Meanwhile, institutions such as the Muslim Personal Law Board, the Deobandi seminaries, and the Barelvi groups remain dominated by Ashraf Muslims. Dr. Ansari vividly captures this injustice: while Ashraf Muslims occupy leadership positions, the Pasmanda Muslims, impoverished and disenfranchised, are left clapping for emotional speeches that promise rewards in the afterlife, all while being unable to meet their basic needs in the present. He further delves into how indigenous people who converted to Islam were branded as "inferior" by the Ashraf class, who subsequently trapped them in a cycle of religious dependency. These Pasmanda converts were taught religious rituals like fasting, prayer, and charity, but were denied access to secular education, which is crucial for their material advancement. Dr. Ansari argues that this deliberate lack of educational access has resulted in the current widespread poverty and disenfranchisement of Pasmanda Muslims. The primary goal of the Pasmanda movement, as outlined in the book, is not just social and economic equality but also political representation. Dr. Ansari discusses how the Pasmanda community, despite constituting nearly 85% of the Indian Muslim population, remains vastly underrepresented in politics. This political marginalization has led to a continuous deterioration in their living standards and their exclusion from the corridors of power. In the book, the author critiques the policies of major political parties, which have largely failed to address the grievances of the Pasmanda Muslims. He also draws attention to the neglect faced by Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians, arguing that their exclusion from affirmative action policies, such as reservations, has been one of the greatest obstacles to their social mobility. This continued neglect, he notes, has deepened the crises faced by the Pasmanda community. Dr. Ansari recounts a personal incident where his wife ran for the chairperson of the Municipal Council. In this case, a prominent Ashraf Muslim family conspired with local authorities to manipulate the electoral process, leading to her defeat. This incident is indicative of the recurring pattern of exclusion and manipulation that keeps Pasmanda Muslims away from political power. Towards the end of the book, Dr. Ansari offers a clear vision for the future of the Pasmanda movement. He believes that the upliftment of the Pasmanda community is only possible when they are given equitable social and economic opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of spreading education, creating employment opportunities, and raising political awareness. In his view, if Pasmanda Muslims organize and unite in their struggle for their rights, the future could indeed be an era of social justice. Dr. Ansari draws inspiration from the ideas of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, particularly his famous call: "Educate, Organize, Agitate." He argues that for Pasmanda Muslims to break free from social discrimination and religious subjugation, they must adopt Ambedkar's message in their everyday lives. Education and organization, he asserts, are the key tools that can help them gain political and social empowerment. In his conclusion, Dr. Ansari stresses that the Pasmanda Muslims must build a united and dedicated group of activists to advance their movement. The time has come, he says, for Pasmanda Muslims to raise their voices for social, economic, and political justice. The future holds the promise of a new era of equality and justice for Pasmanda Muslims, but only if they remain steadfast in their struggle, informed by education and political awareness. Dr. Ansari’s writing style is simple and direct. His arguments are logical, making the book accessible to readers across different strata of society. His use of facts and figures strengthens his message and gives the narrative an authoritative tone. The most significant strength of the book is its realistic perspective. By sharing personal experiences and incorporating interviews from various members of the Pasmanda community, Dr. Ansari brings a deeply human touch to the problems facing Pasmanda Muslims. The references and quotes sprinkled throughout the book reflect the author's extensive knowledge and research on the subject. One of the book’s key features is that each chapter offers new and thoughtful insights, touching the heart of the reader and encouraging them to reflect. The combination of a humane approach and rational discourse makes the book a compelling read. Every chapter contains at least one statement that challenges the reader to think and re-evaluate their understanding of the socio-political realities faced by Pasmanda Muslims. Dr. Iqbal Ansari’s Sachaai Ke Haq Mein Pasmanda Paksh is a thought-provoking work that highlights the entrenched discrimination faced by Pasmanda Muslims and the urgent need for social, economic, and political reform. It is a call to action for not only Pasmanda Muslims but also for the broader Indian society to recognize and rectify the systemic injustices that continue to plague a large section of the population. The book is a significant contribution to the discourse on caste and religion, offering a well-researched and compelling argument for the upliftment of marginalized Muslim communities. ----- Abdullah Mansoor is a teacher and runs a YouTube channel named Pasmanda Democracy. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/discrimination-pasmanda-muslims-struggles/d/133393 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism