Dalit Muslim

Dalit Muslim is used to refer to Muslims in the Dalit group. Untouchables, also called 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, biraderis). 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