Parties Take Muslim Votes, But Deny Representation | Author & Former IPS Officer Abdur Rahman

In this episode of Nous Network, journalist Asad Ashraf speaks with former IPS officer and author Abdur Rahman, whose books Denial and Deprivation and Absent in Politics and Power explore the marginalization of Indian Muslims. The discussion focuses on the political exclusion of Muslims in India, with a special emphasis on the Bihar elections, a state once seen as the epicentre of social justice politics. Abdur Rahman sheds light on how political parties that rely on Muslim votes often under-nominate Muslim candidates, leading to their declining presence in legislative bodies. The conversation also examines the broader patterns of exclusion, where Muslims, OBCs, and Dalits—though forming the majority—remain under-represented in politics and power structures, while upper castes continue to dominate. This dialogue offers a sharp reflection on the state of Indian democracy, representation, and the fading promise of social justice.