Opinion | Muslims in India: Claims, Facts and Real Picture

Recently, a new debate has sparked across the national discourse, this time focusing on Indian Muslims, sparked by statements made by Maulana Arshad Madani, the Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband and President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind as his statements paints a grim picture of Muslim life in India. According to him, Muslims in the country face deliberate institutional barriers that prevent them from rising to positions of authority. He contrasts India with Western democracies where Muslims have become mayors of global cities, while claiming that in India even a university vice-chancellorship is out of reach for Muslims. To Madani, every high-profile case involving a Muslim from Azam Khan’s lawsuits to the Al-Falah University arrests is part of a larger pattern of political targeting.

As the news gained media attention, a respected Muslim scholar Imam Ahmed Umer Ilyasi, Chief of the All-India Imam Organisation stepped forward with a much-needed statement, highlighting the proud and active contribution of Indian Muslims to India’s success story. According to Ilyasi, Madani’s words are irresponsible and damaging, not just for Muslims but for India’s social fabric. He argues that Muslims have grown, securing civil service positions, accessing welfare schemes, and participating fully in national development. His strongest charge; security scanner put on Al Falah university is essential for national security and cannot be compromised, he also implied that Madani’s comments indirectly give strength to those facing allegations in the Al-Falah case.

Standing in complete contradiction. Where one sees discrimination, the other sees progress. Where one sees political targeting, other sees national security action., where one frames Muslims as victims of systematic discrimination and the state as the chief architect of their suppression the other lights Muslims as builders of India. And where one speaks of fear, the other accuses him of creating fear for political mileage. Let us examine and review this claim of Muslims being weak or under-represented in India by looking at real facts, real names and real achievements.

In politics, India has had Muslim Presidents and vice Presidents like Dr. Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Union ministers like Mufti Mohd. Syed (Home Minister) Salman Khurshid, Najma Heptulla, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi governors like Arif Muhammad Khan and Fathima Beevi, parliamentarians and mayors of major cities like Bengaluru and Kolkata.

In the UPSC, 25–35 Muslims qualify almost every year. Notable examples include Shah Faesal, the 2010 IAS topper, Athar Amin, IAS 2015 2nd topper, Junaid Ahmad, Aamir Suhail, Faiz Aqmal, Inam Ghani, and Syed Wazir. In the Indian Police Service, Muslims have risen to senior leadership roles through performance. Officers like Syed Asif Ibrahim, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Aftab Ahmed Khan, known for anti-terror operation. Across states, Muslim IPS officers lead crime branches, anti-terror units, traffic police, training academies and state police forces. In IFS officers like Syed Akbaruddin, Salman Haider and many have held key position in foreign related affairs over time from UN to embassies.

In the judiciary, Muslims have served at the highest levels. Justice M. Hidayatullah and Altamas Kabir served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice President. Justice A. M. Ahmadi also became Chief Justice, guiding the Supreme Court on major constitutional matters. Many other Muslim judges served in High Courts across the country, including M. Fathima Beevi, S. Abdul Nazeer, and Najmi Waziri.

In science and research, contributions are significant. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (Missile man of India) remains an iconic example. Salim Ali Dr. Syed (Bird man of India) a renowned ornithologist, Zahoor Qasim led India’s first Antarctic expeditions. Scientists in ISRO, DRDO, CSIR and BARC, including Dr. M. O. Farooqui, Dr. S. M. Yusuf, and Dr. Aslam Pervez, along with professors in IITs and central universities, show the strong presence of Muslims in national science.

Muslims also serve with distinction in national security. Thousands work in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB and ITBP. Officers and jawans are selected and promoted based on discipline and performance. Captain Hanifuddin, a Kargil hero. Many Muslim officers serve in elite units like Para (SF), Garud and NSG. Colonel Sofia Qureshi a Muslim woman army officer who handled the media briefing during operation Sindoor. I have personally seen Muslim officers in Kashmir holding a high rank and managing important responsibilities.

In language and culture, Urdu widely spoken by Muslims remains one of the 22 constitutionally recognised languages. India has hundreds of thousands of mosques and historic Islamic architecture like Jama Masjids in Delhi, Qutub Minar and historic Imambaras. Sufi order and Muslim saints are widely entertained in country for their spiritual influence Marking presence of Muslim faith and architecture in the country. India is also home to prominent Muslim institutions of learning. Universities like Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia have produced scholars, civil servants, scientists and writers. Traditional institutions like Darul Uloom Deoband, Nadwatul Ulama and numerous madrasas continue to teach Islamic studies.

In music and entertainment, Muslims have shaped India’s culture. Classical musicians like Ustad Bismillah Khan and Zakir Hussain, playback legends like Mohammad Rafi, contemporary stars like A. R. Rahman show deep contribution. Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan are global icons. Artists from abroad like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, Imran Abbas and Fawad Khan are widely appreciated.

In business, Muslims have played a major role. Azim Premji transformed Wipro into a global IT company and became a leading philanthropist. Entrepreneurs run successful businesses in textiles, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, real estate, retail and technology across India.

In sports, Muslims have left a lasting mark. Cricket tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup reflect early contributions and how they are honoured. Players like Mohammad Azharuddin former Muslim captain of Indian cricket team, Zaheer Khan Para Cricketer Amir Hussain and Irfan Pathan are national heroes and. In tennis, Akhtar Ali and Zeeshan Ali contributed as players and coaches. MMA fighter Owais Yakoob represents India internationally.

As far as direct state involvement is concerned, welfare schemes have been fully accessible to Muslims ranging from universal programmes like PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to minority-focused initiatives such as Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means scholarships, the Maulana Azad National Fellowship, Naya Savera and Nai Udaan coaching schemes, PM-VIKAS and NMDFC programmes for economic upliftment, and Nai Roshni for leadership development. Additionally, the J&K PMSSS continues to record the highest share of Muslim beneficiaries due to the region’s demographic profile. And not to mention subsidy on Hajj pilgrimage to make hajj affordable to all Muslims of the country.

These examples are only a small sample. I have seen schools mostly staffed by Hindu teachers still employing many Muslim teachers from different states. In one school all teachers were Hindu but the principal was a Muslim. In my college, a key department was led by a Muslim woman and a Muslim student served as class representative. These everyday experiences show that ability determines positions. All these names and facts clearly show that Muslims are an integral part of India’s working and social landscape. Indian Muslims have contributed significantly to the country’s progress in every major field politics, sports, education, science and technology, arts, administration, entrepreneurship, and day-to-day business. Here in Kashmir too, we see countless institutions, public projects, and landmarks named after prominent Muslims parks, airports, libraries, colleges, cultural centres which reflects not just representation but the thriving presence and legacy of Muslims in the region. All of this underscores a simple truth: Muslims continue to play a vital role in shaping India’s success story. A country with nearly 80% Hindu population has had Muslim President, Vice President, Chief Justices of India, Chief Election Commissioner, and many others in top constitutional and administrative positions and Muslims have been recipients of many national awards of the country for their contributions. This reflects the recognition of merit, competence, and democratic values rather than religion. On the other hand, neighbouring Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or several others have rarely seen religious minorities rise to such high constitutional offices. This contrast highlights how India’s institutional framework allows space for diversity and equal opportunity in a way that many of its neighbours have not.

All this does not mean there are no problems. Studies and reporting point to socio-economic gaps, disparities, and areas where representation remains low. For Muslims in India, additional challenges include lower access to quality education, underrepresentation in government services and private sectors, economic disparity, limited access to formal credit and employment opportunities, and occasional communal discrimination or social exclusion. Many Muslim-majority areas also face inadequate infrastructure, lower healthcare access, and limited public investment, which perpetuate cycles of disadvantage. These are real problems that need policy attention, targeted education and economic programmes, welfare schemes, and social reforms. The correct response is therefore twofold. One, acknowledge and address the structural deficits and local problems with data-driven policies. Two, avoid sweeping claims that deny visible progress and the many examples of individual and collective success, including rising educational attainment, entrepreneurial growth, and increasing participation in public life. The government, however, has taken concrete steps to overcome such issues, including setting up dedicated bodies such as the Sachar Committee and the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), implementing targeted welfare schemes, and improving access to education, skill development, and financial inclusion programmes.

The claims that Muslims are being marginalized by the government and national institutions are proven to be baseless. Those whose voices hold influence should refrain from making such assertions, as they can negatively impact the social fabric of the country. History and the current situation demonstrate that Muslims are present and contributing in every sphere of life, including sports, arts, music, administration, and education. While challenges remain, the government remains steadfast in its efforts to overcome them through targeted policies, welfare schemes, and inclusive development programmes.

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