Experts highlight India’s socio-political landscape, Muslims’ plight

Islamabad : A deeper and more systematic understanding of India's socio-political and cultural landscape, Hindustan Sanashi, is a prerequisite for shaping effective policies, as well as advocacy efforts for marginalised communities like Muslims in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

By broadening its scope to include serious academic study and curricular integration, and reaffirming the ideas surrounding Pakistan and Kashmir, a more comprehensive approach to regional issues can emerge. This expanded understanding should extend beyond media, entertainment, and major urban centres, offering hope and direction for future generations.

This was observed during the launch event of renowned journalist Iftikhar Gilani’s latest book ‘Ikkeeswi Sadi ka Bharat aur Musalman: Siyasat aur Samaaj kay Aeenay Mai’ (The 21st Century India and Muslims: Reflections in the Mirror of Politics and Society)” held by Institute of Policy Studies here on Sunday.

The book, published by IPS Press – the publishing arm of IPS, provides an in-depth exploration and record of the evolving dynamics between India’s Muslim minority and the state, and the impact of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh policies, which are reshaping India’s political and cultural identity with significant implications for Muslims and other minorities.

Former foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, who chaired the event, said "Hindustan Shanasi” went beyond academic curiosity; it was crucial for effective policy-making in Pakistan.

"A structured and deep study of India’s internal dynamics – addressing issues such as sectarianism, authoritarianism, and socioeconomic inequalities – can guide more informed decision-making," he said.

IPS chairman Khalid Rahman said that 'Ikkeeswi Sadi ka Bharat aur Musalman' was not merely a compilation of articles but a meaningful documentation of the evolving relationship between the Indian state and the Muslim minority.

He noted that much of the current discourse on India remained confined to media portrayals and major urban centres, failing to capture the complexities of India’s democracy, social structures, and shifting ideologies that, in turn, shaped India’s governance, economic disparities, and the challenges faced by minority communities.

Eminent scholar Prof Khurshid Ahmad emphasised the socio-political setbacks for Muslims and the decline of secular values in India, and called the book a crucial revelation of the harsh realities confronting the community.

Former senator Raja Zafarul Haq highlighted the growing influence of Hindutva and the systemic marginalisation of minorities in India and said Indian Muslims should defend their identity and rights. Pakistan's former high commissioner to India Abdul Basit lauded the book’s thorough analysis of policy impacts over three decades, framing it as essential for understanding the ongoing struggle for Muslim rights in India.