PASMANDA MUSLIMS

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About

• ‘Pasmanda’ is a Persian word that denotes the ‘ones left behind’. The word is used to define the depressed classes among Muslims.
  • Backwards, Dalit and tribal Muslims use the word Pasmanda as an umbrella identity.
  • In 1998, “The term Pasmanda Muslim was first used by Ali Anwar Ansari when he founded the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz.
• While Islam does not allow the creation of social hierarchies, the existence of caste categories is a reality for Muslims across India.

Details

• Indian Muslim society can be broadly classified into;
  • Ashrafs (the “noble” elite or “honourable ones”)
  • Ajlafs (backwards Muslims)
  • Arzals (Dalit Muslims)
• Ashrafs claim to be the descendants of Muslims who migrated from the Islamic homelands of Arabia, Persia, Turkey, and Afghanistan, or of upper-caste converts from Hinduism.
• Ajlafs are the middle-caste converts who were involved in occupations that are considered ritually “clean”; weavers, tailors, vegetable sellers, etc.
• Azaleas belong to the lowest, “untouchable” castes — like the scavengers, washermen, barbers, butchers, beggars, etc.\
• The Rajinder Sachar Committee was formed in 2005 to study the social, economic and educational condition of Indian Muslims and highlighted 3 groups among Muslims:
  • Those without any social disabilities, the Ashrafs.
  • Those equivalents to Hindu OBCs, the Ajlafs.
  • Those are equivalent to Hindu SCs, the Arzals.
• The Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission stated that the caste system impacted all religious communities in India, including Muslims.
• In the absence of a caste census, no specific caste-based data are available.
  

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/how-to-understand-the-bjps-focus-on-pasmanda-muslims-8213374/

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