ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Rethinking Muslim Political Marginalisation in Contemporary India: Between Representation and Citizenship

The question of Muslim political marginalisation in contemporary India has gained renewed scholarly and political attention, particularly in the context of changing electoral dynamics and the rise of majoritarian politics. India’s constitutional framework emphasises equality, secularism, and inclusive representation; however, empirical realities indicate that Muslims, despite being the largest religious minority, remain significantly underrepresented in legislative institutions and continue to face persistent socio-economic disadvantages (Sachar Committee, 2006; Hasan, 2014). This article critically examines the nature and dimensions of Muslim political marginalisation by situating it within the broader theoretical framework of representation and citizenship. Drawing upon secondary data, government reports, and existing scholarly literature, the study analyses patterns of Muslim political representation, trends in electoral participation, and the structural constraints embedded in India’s first-past-the-post electoral system (Farooqui, 2020). It further explores how issues of identity, security, and minority citizenship intersect with political exclusion, particularly in the post-2014 political context marked by the consolidation of majoritarian narratives (Ahmed, 2019). The article argues that Muslim marginalisation cannot be understood solely in terms of numerical underrepresentation; rather, it reflects a deeper crisis of democratic inclusion and substantive citizenship. The decline in political representation, coupled with limited access to policy-making processes and institutional structures, reinforces existing inequalities and undermines the participatory foundations of Indian democracy. By moving beyond purely electoral metrics, this study highlights the need to reconceptualise minority citizenship and strengthen institutional mechanisms to ensure inclusive and equitable democratic representation in India.