Abstract

Despite their significant presence, Muslims in India have never enjoyed the fruits of democracy in proportion to their share of population like other religious groups. The Sachar Committee report, Cabinet Committee, Government of India, New Delhi, 2006) highlighted the plight of the Muslim community in India. Widespread illiteracy, low income, irregular employment, high incidence of poverty, so on and so forth, reflect the poor socio-economic condition of Indian Muslims. The Indian Muslims’ ability to feel physically and emotionally safe and their equal progress with another mainstream society are a test for the country’s democracy. This chapter deals with the aspects of security, employment, urban housing and political representation of Indian Muslims. It is argued that a complex configuration of Indo-Islamic identity seems to determine the aspirations, anxieties and expectations of a highly diversified Muslim community of India and that of Muslims in Telangana State.