The en masse participation of Muslims in democratic protests — for justice, equality and well-being for all — will depend on the general public accepting them as fellow citizens.

Tashhar Mahmood

Havā mẽ hai jashn, fizā mẽ hai shor

Bhagvē raṅg mẽ liptā huā hai ye daur

Par sōchŏ zarā, dil se pūchhŏ ye bāt

Kyā vāqi’ āzād hai hamārī zāt

Kitābõ mẽ likhā hai hamārā deś āzād

Magar har taraf hai vahśat kā ik fasād

(

Celebration in the air, clamour in the atmosphere

These times, they are entwined in saffron

But think a bit, ask yourself this question,

Are our people really free?

Books tell us our country is free

Yet terrifying chaos engulfs all directions

)

India will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its Independence in a year but people, especially the country’s youth, are still demanding

azadi

(freedom), freedom from

punjiwad

, freedom from samantwad, freedom from

Manuwad

, freedom from

jatiwad

… Why? The answer is common knowledge, but very few people dare to spell it out. Education, employment, healthcare, transportation, good governance, justice and all other fields are afflicted with a serious disease, the disease of corruption, binary politics and the “othering” of Muslims. Many, especially those from lower- and middle-class families, are suffering because of rampant corruption, widespread inequality, and the lack of equal and fair opportunities. No wonder students across the country have been demanding that the government fix these problems; they have also been demanding the establishment of a just and accountable system. Their demonstrations reflect the concern of ordinary people, who want positive changes in society and better opportunities for future generations.

India won Independence from oppressive British rule in 1947, but many across the social divide have been asking whether we have been able to establish the rule of law even after almost 80 years of Independence. India is a democratic and secular country where the government, since it is elected by the people, is expected to work for the good of the people irrespective of their religion, caste, race and colour. Yet many believe the present government (central and states) has always accorded greater priority to political and religious issues than to everyday problems faced by the people. During elections, some political parties have been using religious and communal issues to influence the electorate while paying little or no attention to education, employment, healthcare, infrastructure development, social welfare and social justice. The growing focus of some political parties on divisive politics has led many, especially students and the youth, to wonder whether public policies are, at all, designed to meet the real needs of society.

Protest politics is not a post-Independence phenomenon in India. Its roots can be traced to British colonial rule. During colonial rule, people in India came together to raise their voice against every discriminatory and divisive policy, even though the British administration almost always brutally suppressed such protests. The British rulers arrested and tortured and, in some cases, killed the protesters. Despite this, people across the country continued to demand their rights and freedom. Students have always played a vital role in political movements in India. They have often been among the first to raise social and political issues, and demand justice, because universities and educational institutions, as is their wont, encourage free discussions and debates, and promote critical thinking. In fact, students played a key role in the Independence movement. And after independence, they have stood up for people’s democratic rights, demanded educational reforms and social justice, making significant contributions to political and social change.

Ever since the BJP came to power, students of institutions such as the Aligarh Muslim University and Jawaharlal Nehru University have been raising important issues, organizing protests, and demanding that these issues be resolved according to law. In 2019, they faced brutal state action for organizing constitutional protests. One of the major issues seven years ago was the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). These laws and measures triggered extensive protests across the country. Members of the Muslim community felt they were being unfairly targeted …