Bihar is home to 17% of India’s Muslim population. Despite being a significant electoral demographic, the community continues to be manipulated by religious leaders and so-called secular political parties. This manipulation was most visible during the anti-CAA and NRC protests, where the students and youth who organically led the movement are now languishing in jails without trial for years. In contrast, those who hijacked the protests at the last moment—often with the backing of religious organisations—are now enjoying prominent posts in secular parties.
The Muslim community has forgotten the real heroes of the movement and left them to suffer alone. During the protests, religious organisations helped set up the stage with the support of student leaders and scholars from diverse backgrounds. These organisations invited leaders from secular political parties to amplify the protests, unaware that these very parties were using the stage to secure Muslim votes ahead of elections.
Muslims in turn, voted for these parties out of hope and loyalty. But what did they get in return? Silence in the face of lynchings, the demolition of homes, and communal riots—even in states ruled by these same secular parties. In exchange for offering their platforms, the heads of religious organisations were often rewarded with one or two seats in the Rajya Sabha or the Legislative Council—usually given to their sons, brothers, or other close relatives. A scholar once publicly warned the community about this exploitative arrangement, but that warning was ignored.
A similar strategy is now being repeated in the protests against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
On June 29, 2025, Imarat-e-Shariah organized a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Clerical brokers mobilized thousands of poor, illiterate, and deprived Muslims to join the demonstration. Many of them had little understanding of the concept of waqf in Islam or the political implications of the amendment. Yet, driven by psychological fear and religious obligation instilled by these clerics, they turned out in large numbers.
Once again, the stage was shared by leaders from Congress, RJD, and other so-called secular parties—parties that routinely silence Muslim issues in fear of losing non-Muslim votes. Leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar, who failed to speak up even for his own Muslim friend incarcerated without trial, were allowed to speak from the protest stage. This reveals the true nature of their motives: vote bank politics ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
This political hypocrisy becomes even more evident when compared to responses in other communities. In a recent case in Uttar Pradesh, members of the Yadav caste were beaten for performing bhajans in an upper-caste village. Yadav-dominated political parties across India held press conferences and tried to turn it into a national issue. But when similar, and often more brutal, atrocities happen to Muslims—lynchings, riots, home demolitions—these same political parties and religious leaders remain silent, not even issuing a single social media post in solidarity.
It is clear that religious organisations and clerical brokers are being used as instruments to consolidate votes for secular parties.At the same time, these clerics derive personal advantages, while the larger Muslim community is left to suffer marginalization, violence, and disregard.
Mohammad Hesham Atik is a student pursuing a degree in Psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Edited by : Omama Abu Talha
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed in the publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.
