Indian Muslims: Between Secularism & Majoritarianism | In Conversation with Prof. Mujibur Rehman

In this insightful episode of the Nous Network Podcast, we sit down with Prof. Mujibur Rehman to discuss the challenges, identity, and future of Indian Muslims as discussed in his book Shikwa-e-Hind. He examines their engagement in pre-partition politics, the debate around their role in the demand for partition, and how their identity was shaped under the secularism project. The conversation delves into the delegitimisation of secularism as Muslim appeasement under Hindutva and secularism's broader failure in global politics in protecting minority rights.

Prof. Rehman also unpacks the complexities of Muslims as a minority in India, analysing the "Muslim Question" within the Hindu-Muslim framework and its intersections with caste. He discusses the role of upper castes in shaping secularism and whether their support for it was conditional. The conversation further explores the question of equality in the context of caste and Hindutva, as well as the indifference of dominant castes toward the question of Indian Muslims. Finally, he reflects on why Indian Muslims have struggled to secure political space and what this means for their political future in India's democracy.

Join us for this deep dive into history, identity, and politics with Prof. Mujibur Rehman.