By Syed Ali Mujtaba
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a special mention of the Pasmanda (Dalit and backward) Muslims when he spoke about them at the BJP national executive meeting in Hyderabad, the state capital of Telangana. The Prime Minister suggested that BJP should make efforts to gain the support of the Pasmanda Muslims as they are an economically backward and socially deprived section of the Muslim community.
The Prime Minister’s words gave the cue to an interesting study done on the Caste stratification among Muslims in Telangana. This is done by SK. Yousuf Baba a.k.a Sky Baba. The study sheds considerable light on the subject pointed out by the Prime Minister. Sky Baba’s study underlines the fact that caste census among the Muslim community is essential to make any meaningful intervention to uplift the community. The way forward suggested by the author can be replicated in the rest of the country and this will certainly change the status of the Muslims in India. Here are some take away from this study.
There are four categories of Muslims found in Telangana. In the first category are those converted from Hindu Schedule caste and are economically backward and much below those who enjoy reservation benefits. These are Dudekulas, who converted to Islam from the Malas and Padmashalis schedule caste- the weaving community known by several other names. In Nalgonda town, localities like Hyderkhan Guda, Manyanchelka, Jama Masjid, and Akkachelma are populated by Malas, and Madigas communities and they live alongside the Muslim community which makes it easy to trace those who converted to Islam and those who did not.
The second category of Muslims is those who converted from the nomadic tribes. These are Muslims who come to villages in Telangana with animals such as monkeys, bears, donkeys, and so on. There is a deer herding community in the Khammam district in Telangana. In the Kadapa district, at Vempalli, there is a juggling community (garadi). Then there are “Boriya wale” or basket and mat-making community called “Bontalollu” in Telugu. There is a ‘Ghodewale’ or horse-rearing community and there is ‘Lakdi Wale’ who gets firewood from the forest and sells them for a living. These are converts to Islam from Hindu Schedule Tribe and their economic status is much below those who enjoy reservation.
The third category comprises Muslims who are identified on the basis of occupational caste. These are dhobis (washing community), Hajjam (barber), Kasab (butcher), sugar (goldsmith), Badhai (carpenter), and blacksmiths who cast iron. There is a separate occupational community called ‘beggars’ in Telangana. Among them, there is a group called ‘ganta fakirolla goodem,’ who ring the bell while begging and are found near Koppal in the Nalgonda district. In the same Nalgonda district, there are villages of Patharphod, the stone-crushing community, who are found in other places like Kashivarigudem and Kasaram. According to sources, Muslims continue to work in more than 60 tribal-Dalit Bahujan jobs in Telangana.
There are several castes among the Muslim community who are included in Telangana State’s BC “E” list. They are; Achchukattalavandlu, Singali, Singamvallu, Achupanivallu, Achukattuvaru, Attar Saibulu, Attarollu, Dobi Muslim, Muslim Dobi, Dhobi Musliman, Turka Chakali, Turka Chakala, Turka Sakali, Turkala Vannan, Chakala, Sakala, Chakala, Muslim Rajakulu, Fakir, Fakir Budbudki, Ganti Fakir, Ganta Fakir, Turaka Budbudki, Darvesh Fakir, Juggling Muslim, juggling Saibs, Snake charmers, Jugglers, Gosangi Muslim, Pakirusaibs, Guddi Eluguvallu, Elugu Bantuvallu, Musalman Keelu Gurralavallu, Hajam, Nai, Nai Muslim, Naveed Labby, Labbai, Labban, Labba, Pakiria, Borewale, Dera fakirs, bontollu, Qureshi, Khasab, Marathi Khasab, Katika Muslim, Muslim Katika, Shaikh, Sheikh, Siddhi, Yaba, Habshi, Jasi, Turaka kasha, Kukkukotte deer saibulu, Chukki takanevale, Thirugudu guntalavaru, Thirugatiganta, Rolla kakku kottevaru, Butter podulu, Chakkatakare.
The fourth category of Muslims is those who do not fall under BC ‘B’ or BC ‘E’ castes/reservations category and they are bunched together in the OC category. They are Syed / Sayyed, Mushek, Mughal, Pathan/Khan, Irani, Momin, Ansar, Bohra Shia, Ismaili Shia, Kutchi Memon, Jamayat, and Navayat.
Before the advent of Nizam’s rule in Telangana, many Muslims worked in caste-related jobs and did farming as well. During Nizam’s rule, some Muslims gave up their caste-based professions and migrated to urban areas to do some menial salaried jobs. When they settled in the urban localities, they lost both their caste occupation as well their land in the village, and as a result their economic status did not improve in the urban areas.
Today, the majority of the Muslims in the urban areas are engaged in selling fruit on carts. They are auto mechanics at the roadside shops. Some repair bicycles, run puncture repairing shops, tailors, watchmakers, mall wagons, pepper carts, chai stalls, small sandal shops, tent houses, retail bargainers, and auto, car, jeep-lorry drivers, they are all Muslims. These Muslims earn their living doing menial jobs and their economic status is quite low.
Challenges in identifying Muslim converts
It is very difficult to identify Muslim converts from other caste and communities because there is a complete change in their identity, starting with names, religious practices, customs, lifestyle,s etc. There is no sign in the Muslim converts of their previous caste and religious identity and this loss of identity poses a huge challenge in identifying the Muslims, who have converted to Islam.
However, the silver lining is the economic status of most of these Muslims has not changed even after their conversion. This may help in navigation because the vast majority of Muslims are converting from scheduled castes and tribes or belonging to occupational caste among the Hindu community. For instance, bore-walls, the basket-maker community is the occupation pursued by the Yerukala Tribe which means Muslims who are engaged in this profession are converted from the Yerukala tribe.
Similarly, to identify Muslims who have converted from Dalits, one might consider their place of residence, their respective occupations, and particular cultural practices. For example, Dudekulas, Laddafs, and Pinjaris are possibly converted from the Mala and Padmashali, the handloom weaving community that is now categorized as schedule caste.
Since there is huge diversity among the Muslim community, an in-depth research is required to understand their background. Some studies about the Muslim community have been done in states like Telangana but are totally absent in other parts of the country. This can only happen by first doing the caste census and then delving deep into their origins to scrutinize Muslims who have converted to Islam from other caste categories of the Hindu religion.
Reservation and the Muslims
Muslims are not favored when it comes to reservation even though the Constitution gives the fundamental right to freedom of religion but Muslims who have converted to Islam from the Hindu Dalit community are denied reservation. This is because they have changed their religious faith but that’s against constitutional previsions. Strictly speaking as per the constitution they are entitled to reservation in the same manner on par with the Dalit Hindus. After all change of religion has not changed the Dalit’s status. They too need reservations like their counterparts but that’s an old demand which is unlikely to get fulfilled.
A few Muslim groups, such as the Dudekula, Laddaf, and Pinjari, are given reservations and included in the B.C. “B” category but their economic condition is too low in comparison to their Hindu religious counterparts.
Some Muslim communities like Syed and Pathan who are believed to be forward caste are excluded from the 4 percent reservation but in reality, they are also low in the economic index of development. Their surnames do not have any connection with their economic position and are in need of reservation
The way forward
The best approach to assist the Muslim community in their development is to first identify who they are and then categorize them into different categories. Those who converted to Islam from their SCs Hindu brethren they should be placed under the category and considered for similar reservation given to the SCs. Similarly, those who converted from the tribe communities should also be placed on par with ST and be considered for reservation. Muslim converts from the occupational caste should be placed under “service” communities and be given reservations best fit for such category taking into account their economic status. Other Muslims should also be considered for reservation based on their socio-economic status.
In sum, this process must begin in the entire country because such kind of categorization can alone make the way forward for any making any meaningful intervention to uplift the Muslim community. The first step in this is to do a caste census of the Muslim community and then provide governmental support to them based on their socio-economic status. This is the work of the government and its intervention is necessary if the Muslim community is needed to be uplifted from its current situation. The Prime Minister’s words of concern about Pasmanda Muslims give a ray of light in an otherwise dark tunnel in the discourse about the development of the Muslim community in India.
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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com
Bjp will not do anything concrete for muslims… because it is antimuslim
Let me try to understand this: Give up the caste to become a Muslim; yet demand privileges of caste!
Asalamualaikum. The Researcher has done his job well.
Sky Baba is a ‘convert’/ Rivert if so from which community.
All Muslims in the world are Coverts the first being Maa Qudeja RA first wife of Prophet SWS.
Once a person recites the Kalima S/he becomes a Muslim and later would be a Momin.
Members of different communities embrace Islam to get rid of the kufur and be a proud muslim. We need not even question the reason.Allah SWT has guided them.
We Muslims in India have three certificates one from Allah SWT, kind attention Ayath 110 of Al a Imran one from Congress as Backward class/ other Backward class and the last that of Justice Sachar who placed us below rat eating Tribe. Now it is for us to use which
certificate we want to use. The Muslim Intelligensia who are misleaders want every Muslim to use Justice Sachar Certificate to reap the benefits given by Government robbing the real Backward communities. By begging for Reservation in Educational and Employment we are actually preventing our community toppers losing the seats/job as average muslims are getting the benifit and life long have to suffer as Backward Class.
Members from different communities wish to embrace Islam to escape from iltreatment from so called Forward Class. We by. Encouraging these people to show their previous community card is to push them back we are trying to divide our own community for petty gains.
The Research Report is very good and would be useful for Ruling BJP and its front and back organisations to approach these muslims and force them for Ghar wapsi.
Please be reminded that the prophet SWS had said that every child is
botn as muslim…
Bacwardnes is defined as socially backward/ educationally backward, we Muslims are not socially Backward. Just because we are not members if social clubs,Drink wine,gamble,have an affair with neighbours wife dance to the music take and give loans on interest and commi frauds we are considered as Backward Once a Muslim Recutes the Kalima and undergoes the basic education at home or in Maktab of the Mosque that education is complete to live a life of a good citizen. Poverty is not Backwardness. The poorest if the poor was our most respected Huzur Mohammad SWD
Well Said .. but Muslim community is more interested in free money?!
Assalamualaikum! Syed Ali Mujtaba sir, this article is of mine and Sk. Yousuf sir. I’m researcher who has authored, edited the original article and translated it to English. U failed to mention my name.
The PM’s statement should not be taken seriously. The statement has given in the political context to address the concern of the international community. After the removing of Naqvi, the lone “Muslim” face from the government, the ruling party’s image of ignoring the second largest religious community has been reinforced. That is main reason behind it.
” If the basis of discrimination is religious based , then why not the reservation be religion based “.
The reservation for ST & OBC is religion free . Even Muslims & Christians converts can be ST & OBC as per lndian law . But , SC could be only Hindu by SC reservation order , 1950. Later on due political pressure from Sikhs, few Sikh castes were also included as SC ( Mazhabi-Sikh, Ravidasia-Sikh etc. ). Later on V.P. Singh’s government included Neo-Buddhists ( Nav-Baudh) converts into SC list . Interesting fact is that Buddhism and Sikhism don’t believe in caste system. Dalit-Christians were to be included into SC list followed by Dalit-Muslims. It is worth mentioning that during British Raj period Muslim citizens among SCs were included in SC category. But , Congress government in 1950 issued an executive order called SC reservation order, 1950 mentioning only Hindu members as SCs. Muslim Khatik organization of Maharashtra approached Supreme Court of lndia for declaring them SC as they were converts from Hindu Khatik SCs long ago before lndian Independence . National Commission for SCs & STs , National Commission for Human rights & National Commission for Minorities have already declared Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians as SCs . Supreme Court of lndia instead of declaring Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians as SCs asked Central government of BJP if Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians be declared as SCs or not as it is not a Constitutional matter but a policy matter of (central ) government whether or not government of lndia wants to extend SC status to Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians too , like previously done in cases of Sikh-dalits and Buddhist-dalits based on past caste based atrocities and discriminations faced by both communities in the past ( despite the fact that both Sikhism and Buddhism totally rejects caste based society or any caste based discrimination or untouchablity in their Gurudwaras and Baudh-sthanaks . Then , Central government of BJP postponed the matter in Supreme Court by submitting that in near future there is no policy of Central government to grant SC status to Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians. However, Dalit-Muslims & Dalit-Christians are adjusted and included into OBC lists of various lndian states , and Muslim & Christian tribals are allowed to use ST status . ST & OBC status is irrespective of religion ( Hindu , Muslim, Christian etc. any religion person can apply to obtain ST & OBC certificate & reservation if he/she comes into the tribe-name or class-name ( biradari name ). Full form of OBC is ” Other Backward Classes ” but not Other Backward Castes ( though both caste , biradari, community , occupational group , tribe can be called as a CLASS ).