Why is Dalit-Muslim unity a farce?
In the Indian context, social hierarchies are based on the caste, class, and religious distinctions which act as primary indicators for recognition and reservation. Though Constitutional provisions foster social equality by denouncing segregation and pervasive elements like caste-based discriminations, it continues to prevail and shows resilience. Caste is the most significant derivate of the Indian society, as well as of the Muslims community in India. The disproportionate hierarchical collation makes visible the absorption and concentration of social authority and political power with the incentivised Muslim caste groups.
Muslims from an institutional position deprecate the existence of caste and tend to define Muslims as socially homogenous and a monolithic entity. Nevertheless, the caste divisions in the Indian Muslim community are an unavoidable social reality. The Indian Muslim community in contradiction to homogeneity and monolithic claims is sharply categorised into three exclusivist hierarchical sections- Ashraf, Ajlaf and Arzal. In political context, Ashrafs belong to forward caste group, the Ajlafs and Arzals are the backwards and dalits. The Ajlaf and Arzal together are known as Pasmanda Muslims. However, separately, every one of these categories has further subdivisions like that of ‘occupational’ and ‘biradaris’, which are mainly endogamous. The caste equation among Muslims is still in a stagnant position as the process of transition has not yet started; however, once it starts the power equation would also change.