PASMANDA MUSLIMS | IAS GYAN

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About

‘Pasmanda’ is a Persian word that denotes the ‘ones left behind’. The word is used to define the depressed classes among Muslims.
- Backwards, Dalit and tribal Muslims use the word Pasmanda as an umbrella identity.
- In 1998, “The term Pasmanda Muslim was first used by Ali Anwar Ansari when he founded the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz.
While Islam does not allow the creation of social hierarchies, the existence of caste categories is a reality for Muslims across India.

Details

Indian Muslim society can be broadly classified into;
- Ashrafs (the “noble” elite or “honourable ones”)
- Ajlafs (backwards Muslims)
- Arzals (Dalit Muslims)
Ashrafs claim to be the descendants of Muslims who migrated from the Islamic homelands of Arabia, Persia, Turkey, and Afghanistan, or of upper-caste converts from Hinduism.
Ajlafs are the middle-caste converts who were involved in occupations that are considered ritually “clean”; weavers, tailors, vegetable sellers, etc.
Azaleas belong to the lowest, “untouchable” castes — like the scavengers, washermen, barbers, butchers, beggars, etc.\
The Rajinder Sachar Committee was formed in 2005 to study the social, economic and educational condition of Indian Muslims and highlighted 3 groups among Muslims:
- Those without any social disabilities, the Ashrafs.
- Those equivalents to Hindu OBCs, the Ajlafs.
- Those are equivalent to Hindu SCs, the Arzals.
The Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission stated that the caste system impacted all religious communities in India, including Muslims.
In the absence of a caste census, no specific caste-based data are available.