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Saturday, January 3, 2026
TopicPasmanda

Topic: Pasmanda

In Mohammed Siraj, the Pasmanda Muslims have a hero

There’s a subtle radicalism in a name like Siraj being spoken with national pride. His success is read as proof that someone from a working-class, Pasmanda background can achieve this status.

Citing Bihar caste survey, ex-MP highlights Pasmanda Muslims’ marginalisation, slams BJP

Modi should stop shedding 'crocodile tears' for the community, says Ali Anwar Ansari. It was after PM's signal in July 2022 that Pasmanda became a buzzword in Indian politics.

73% Muslims in Bihar ‘backward’ — state survey sparks debate on caste in Islam, BJP alleges ‘appeasement’

Ex-MP & Pasmanda activist Ali Anwar says impact of quota for backward-class Muslims already visible in Bihar politics. BJP says quota 'depriving' Hindu backward castes of their due.

UCC will prevent the ‘Ashraafisation’ of Islam and give Pasmandas a seat at the table

UCC doesn't only regulate or reform women’s rights, it can be a significant tool to prevent further marginalisation of the marginalised within minority communities.

Urdu literature has ignored Dalit Muslims. Pasmandas must own the language

Ashraaf Muslims never truly included Pasmandas in Urdu literature. It's still the language of the elite.

On Camera

Indian bureaucracy should be given incentives and rewards: MH Mody

Is there a place for a counter-bureaucracy, or a separate and competing bureaucracy to counterbalance the force of the executive’s bureaucracy, asked author MH Mody in 1980.

India’s urban co-op banks are turning the page—crisis to cautious revival, one metric at a time

With bad loans shrinking & capital buffers stronger, urban co-op banks’ new umbrella body NUCFDC is now prioritising rollout of digital transformation.

Greece looking at TATA’s WhAP infantry combat vehicle for army procurement

If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.