Dalit Muslim

Dalit Muslim is a term used to refer to Muslims in the Dalit group, i.e. the social group called Untouchables or Dalits, who have converted to Islam.^[1] In theory, converting to Islam takes converts out of the bounds of earlier caste system, but in practice they are often still treated as Dalits.^[2][3]

Background

Aftab Alam, a political scientist, states:

"But caste and untouchability is a lived reality for Muslims living in India and South Asia, and untouchability is the community's worst-kept secret."^[1]

Even though Islam is egalitarian in its social ethics,^[4] Indian Muslim society is characterised by caste-like features, consisting of several caste-like groups (jatis). Despite the conversion to Islam, the social and economic conditions of the Muslims in each caste hardly changed, and they remained tied down to their traditional occupations.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Reservation

Most of the people claiming Dalit Muslim status are already getting reservation as OBC.^[10]

See also

• Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, the political movement involving Dalit Muslims
• Caste system among South Asian Muslims