Contemporary ‘Pasmanda’ Leadership and the Hindutva Politics in Uttar Pradesh
| Published date | 01 June 2024 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/23210230241235355 |
| Author | Manjur Ali,Shilp Shikha Singh |
| Date | 01 June 2024 |
Contemporary ‘
Pasmanda
’
Leadership and the Hindutva
Politics in Uttar Pradesh
Manjur Ali1 and Shilp Shikha Singh1
Abstract
The article explores the positioning of the political elite of a marginalized minority community in the
state of Uttar Pradesh. The co-option of Pasmanda elites within the BJP has seemingly transformed
the nature of Pasmanda politics. The article argues that the non-ideological assertion of the Pasmanda
elites leaves little room for politics of autonomy. These elites are drawn from the newly-educated, self-
interested, middle class amongst the Pasmanda. They draw a distinction between the political, social
and cultural needs of the community. They attempt to invoke politics for developmental gains, keeping
aside the cultural and social predicaments of the Muslim community within the hegemonic Hindutva
politics of the BJP. The old agenda of democratizing Muslim politics has been replaced by promoting
the individual interest of the new Pasmanda elite. For the BJP, Pasmanda is a tool that enables inclusive
political posturing.
Keywords
Backward politics, BJP, Dalit Muslim, hegemony, Indian democracy, minority politics, Pasmanda, political
elite
Leaders play a significant role in social movement and democratic politics. They are the carriers of
democratic consciousness and channels of redistribution via institutions. They are also the gatekeepers
that define politics and determine its nature. The emergence of Pasmanda leaders within Muslim politics
was considered a positive development that democratized it and created space for politics of autonomy.
It changed the balance of power within the Muslim political elite, and Pasmanda leaders prioritized the
idea of social justice, followed by secularism, later on. The emergence of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)
and its hegemonic politics pushed aside the inter-community political differences within the Muslim
society for some time. They engaged in the politics of survival as a unified Muslim minority. Of late, we
see a re-emergence of Pasmanda politics within Muslims on the call of the BJP. The engagement of the
new Pasmanda elites with the BJP has transformed the nature of their assertion.
Original Article
Studies in Indian Politics
12(1) 33–47, 2024
© 2024 Lokniti, Centre for the
Study of Developing Societies
Article reuse guidelines:
in.sagepub.com/journals-permissions-india
DOI: 10.1177/23210230241235355
journals.sagepub.com/home/inp
1 Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Corresponding author:
Manjur Ali, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226024, India.
E-mail: manzoorali.ali@gmail.com
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