In Maharashtra, Muslims bitter but see few options beyond Cong

Muslims constitute only 2.2 per cent of the state’s graduates and their representation in government jobs is 4.4 per cent.

Muslims form 10.6 per cent of Maharashtra’s population and may hold the key in 14 constituencies, including those in Mumbai where they make up between 14 and 20 per cent, but the community is upest that no major party in the state has put up Muslim candidates, except for the Congress that has one lone candidate in Hidayat Patel from Akola.

“For Muslims, Congress and BJP are like bricks and stones. The choice is how you get beaten — with bricks or with stones,” said 43-year-old Shabbir Masiullah, sitting inside his grubby battery repair shop in a bylane in Malegaon. For five years, Masiullah had survived weekly beatings inside Arthur Road Jail on charges of being the main conspirator of the Malegaon blasts of 2006, before being released after the role of Hindu extremists came to light.

Lack of political representation isn’t the only concern. While 17 per cent of Maharashtra’s population live below the poverty line (according to the Planning Commission), over 58 per cent of Muslims in the state are BPL, according to the Mehmood-ur-Rahman committee set up by the state government. The literacy rate of Muslims too is lower than the state average. Muslims constitute only 2.2 per cent of the state’s graduates and their representation in government jobs is 4.4 per cent.

“One of the major achievements of the UPA has been institutions such as the Sachar Committee for minorities. However, the UPA could not effectively monitor these institutions and the implementation of their polices. There has been a significant gap between the community’s expectations and what they actually got,” says Prof. Abdul Shaban, deputy director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Muslims are also unhappy about the way in which the state has “illegally detained” youngsters in terror cases. Rauf Patel, whose 17-year-old son Saud Patel was among the six Muslims allegedly shot in the back by the Dhule police in January 2013, says, “What right does the Congress have to ask for our votes when they did not institute even nominal action against these policemen?” He has moved the Supreme Court requesting that cases be filed against the policemen.

In Malegaon, Abdul Rahim Ansari, 65, alleges that in 2003 he was detained and stripped in a Mumbai police station to extract a confession from his son, 37-year-old engineer Muzammil Ansari, who had been picked up for his alleged involvement in blasts in Ghatkopar, Vile Parle and Mumbai Central. “All others picked up have been let off on bail. The Congress government has ruined the lives of many Muslim youths. How can they ask us for our support now?”

It’s this disillusionment that has got some Muslims to look elsewhere, especially at the Aam Aadmi Party that has nominated four Muslims, the highest by any party in Maharashtra. “Muslims cannot afford to wait on the sidelines. There is a need for the community to associate itself with this new entity as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP,” says Javed Azmi, an activist from Bhiwandi.

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But it’s a difficult choice. “The Congress has failed miserably… there is a groundswell of discontent but many will still back the Congress because the other alternative is far more scary for the community,” says Ilhajuddin Farooqui, state president of the All India Urdu Teachers Association.

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More