The controversial victory of the BJP in the recent elections in West Bengal has once again raised serious questions about the political, social, and economic status of Muslims in India. A country that calls itself the world’s largest democracy now appears to be a place where Muslims feel insecure, politically isolated, and socially pressured within their own homeland.
The statistics from the recent elections show that the political representation of Muslims in Indian politics is continuously being reduced. The policies of the ruling party have deepened the perception that political space for Muslims in India is shrinking. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even described the elections as fraudulent and refused to accept the BJP’s victory.
For a long time, West Bengal’s politics carried a secular identity, but in recent years the aggressive Hindutva politics of Narendra Modi and the BJP have transformed the political atmosphere of the state. In the 2026 elections, the BJP did not give a single ticket to a Muslim candidate. This is being viewed not merely as an electoral strategy, but as a clear political message.According to figures published in Indian media, the BJP did not field even one Muslim candidate in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, while Congress gave tickets to approximately 78 Muslim candidates. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress fielded 47 Muslim candidates, while left-wing parties collectively nominated between 26 and 42 Muslim candidates.
The dangers that Muhammad Ali Jinnah foresaw while demanding a separate homeland appear, in the eyes of many, to be increasingly validated by the present conditions in India.
These figures are not just about political representation; they point toward the reality that India’s largest ruling party is effectively pushing Muslims to the margins instead of including them in the political process. Interestingly, the BJP had fielded three Muslim candidates in 2016 and eight in 2021, but its complete decline to zero is being viewed as a major ideological shift. India’s Muslim population exceeds 200 million people, making up nearly 14 percent of the country’s total population. Despite this, their parliamentary and provincial representation remains extremely limited.
After the recent elections, only 104 Muslim members succeeded in winning seats across the assemblies of five states, despite the total number of seats being 824. This means Muslim representation stood at approximately 12.6 percent, which is still below their share in the population. Most notably, not a single Muslim representative from the BJP was elected because the party did not field any Muslim candidates at all. This situation is creating a deep sense of deprivation among Indian Muslims.
During the rule of Narendra Modi, anti-Muslim rhetoric has become stronger. Mob lynchings in the name of cow protection, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the NRC, the Babri Mosque verdict, debates around a Uniform Civil Code, the hijab controversy, pressure on madrassas, and “bulldozer politics” have all created fear and uncertainty among Muslims. Various human rights organizations and observers have repeatedly pointed out that religious minorities, especially Muslims, are under pressure in India.
A similar trend was seen in Assam, where the BJP reportedly adopted a strategy of not fielding candidates in Muslim-majority areas. This style of politics has strengthened the perception that Muslims are being treated merely as a vote bank or a political issue, rather than equal citizens. Following the BJP’s success in West Bengal, concerns among Muslims have increased because the state was previously considered relatively safe. There are fears that if this trend continues, Indian politics may become completely dominated by majoritarian religious nationalism, leaving minorities with an even weaker political voice.
The difficulties faced by Indian Muslims are not limited to politics alone. Economically as well, Muslims continue to suffer from backwardness. Their representation in government jobs, educational institutions, and the state structure is steadily declining. Reports published in Indian media have repeatedly shown that Muslims are among the most deprived communities in India. Yet instead of resolving their problems, they are often turned into targets of political propaganda.
Hindutva politics has deepened religious divisions within Indian society. Hate-filled language against Muslims is increasingly becoming common in election rallies, media debates, and social media campaigns. This environment has left ordinary Muslims feeling fearful and insecure. In many cities, Muslim businesses have suffered, religious freedoms have been restricted in certain places, and sectarian tensions have increased.
Today, the biggest question facing Indian Muslims is whether the world’s largest democracy truly considers all citizens equal. If a party governing at the center cannot find even one person among 200 million Muslims worthy of an assembly ticket, then this is not merely an electoral tactic; it sends a deep political and social message that a large minority’s right to participate is being undermined.
India was once known around the world as a “secular democracy,” where people of different religions, languages, and cultures lived together. However, the politics of Narendra Modi and the Hindutva ideology have severely damaged this image in recent years. Today, India is increasingly viewed globally through the lens of religious extremism, hostility toward minorities, and a shrinking space for Muslims.
The growing influence of Hindu extremist organizations and what critics describe as state patronage have made life increasingly difficult for Muslims. The BJP’s neglect of Muslim candidates also reflects the mindset that Indian politics is being confined to a specific religious identity. This situation is not only against India’s constitutional claims, but is also considered dangerous for peace and stability in South Asia.
In such circumstances, the importance of Pakistan becomes more apparent. Pakistan emerges as a great blessing for the Muslims of the subcontinent and as an independent Islamic state where Muslims can live freely with their religious identity, worship, and culture. The dangers that Muhammad Ali Jinnah foresaw while demanding a separate homeland appear, in the eyes of many, to be increasingly validated by the present conditions in India.
The writer is an old Aitchisonian who believes in freedom of expression, a freelance columnist, entrepreneur and social activist.