Dalit Muslim Explained

Dalit Muslim is used to refer to Muslims in the Dalit group. Untouchables, also called Dalits, who have converted to Islam.^[1] In theory, converting to Islam takes converts out of the bounds of earlier caste system, but in practice they are often still treated as Dalits.^{[2] [3]}

Background

Aftab Alam, a political scientist, states:

"But caste and untouchability is a lived reality for Muslims living in India and South Asia, and untouchability is the community's worst-kept secret."

Even though Islam is egalitarian in its social ethics,^[4] Indian Muslim society is characterised by caste-like features, consisting of several caste-like groups (jatis, biraderis). Despite the conversion to Islam, the social and economic conditions of the Muslims in each caste hardly changed, and they remained tied down to their traditional occupations.^{[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

Reservation

Most of the people claiming Dalit muslim status are already getting reservation as OBC.^[10]

See also

• Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, the political movement involving Dalit Muslims
• Caste system among South Asian Muslims

External links

• Dalit Muslims of India, Al Jazeera Documentary

Notes and References

1. Web site: Why are many Indian Muslims seen as untouchable? . . Soutik Biswas . 10 May 2016 . 18 July 2016.
2. Web site: Dalit Muslims . . 20 June 2002 . 18 July 2016.
3. Web site: Dalit Muslims of India . . 4 September 2015 . 18 July 2016 . 30 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160730123142/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2015/09/dalit-muslims-india-150902080746653.html . dead .
4. Web site: Islam And Caste Inequality Among Indian Muslims. September 7, 2009. Indian Dalit Muslims Voice. September 13, 2021.
5. Book: Taylor, David. Islam in South Asia. Volume III (Critical Concept in islamic studies). Routledge. 2011. 978-0415554725. New York. 298.
6. Web site: Backward Muslims protest denial of burial . . 6 March 2003 . 18 July 2016.
7. Web site: The ‘Dalit Muslims’ And The All-India Backward Muslim Morcha . Counter Currents . Yoginder Sikand . 20 September 2003 . 18 July 2016.
8. Book: Santosh Bhartiya. Dalit And Minority Empowerment. 18 July 2016. 1 September 2008. Rajkamal Prakashan. 978-81-267-1599-2. 326–.
9. Web site: India's Dalit Muslims, marginalised historically and in the present day, find scant mention in mainstream discourse . . Shafey Anwarul Haque and Bhawesh Pant . 8 October 2021 . 17 June 2022.
10. Web site: SC status for Dalit Muslims, Dalit Christians favoured . The Hindu . 5 April 2008 . 18 July 2016.