Muslim Political Representation in Telangana (2014–2024)

Abstract

Creation of the Telangana state in 2014 coincided with an ascend to power of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that upholds Hindu nationalism. Within the recent decade, India has been witnessing the strengthening of hindutva and the rise of Hindu-Muslim controversies, while in Telangana communalism has begun to decline. As Telangana experience demonstrates, the alleviation of communalism can be achieved by means of symbolic concessions to minorities and by a dialog with their loyal representatives while keeping intact the de-facto domination of the majority in government. However, de-escalation of communal violence brings the “Muslim issue” to a new level: Muslims have put forward additional demands to the state government that go beyond security and include, among other things, the broadening of their political involvement. Muslim political representation at the state level is potentially implemented through one of three mechanisms: Muslims act as party representatives in power and governmental institutions; as an object of party politics which inspires a certain ‘Muslim discourse’; or as a collective subject that brings a party to power. The heterogeneity of Telangana’s Muslim community complicates an optimal combination of the above mechanisms within political parties and organisations. Nevertheless, the provision of political representation for Muslims is a critical task for any party aspiring to succeed in the state.