No development without inclusion: The case for Muslim empowerment.

India’s Development Is Incomplete Without the Development of Muslims

By Tajjamul Aly:

India, the world’s largest democracy, often celebrates its rich diversity, but this celebration falls short when we examine the socio-economic exclusion of Indian Muslims, who comprise over 200 million citizens. They are the third-largest Muslim population globally, and yet they remain among the most economically and educationally marginalised groups in the country.

The idea of a developed India is a compelling vision, but it remains incomplete and hollow if such a large and vital segment of the population is held back by prejudice, denied equal opportunity, or excluded from the national narrative. India’s rise on the global stage demands that every Indian rises with it, regardless of religion.

A History of Contribution, A Present of Marginalisation

Indian Muslims have always been integral to the making of India, not just culturally, but politically, scientifically, and spiritually. From the literary genius of Mirza Ghalib to the scientific brilliance of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam; from freedom fighters like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan to icons like Abdul Hamid who laid down his life in the 1965 war—Muslims have bled, built, and dreamed for India.

Yet, today, the Muslim community finds itself increasingly marginalised, othered, and mistrusted. Housing discrimination, communal profiling, exclusion from public discourse, and under-representation in governance systems are no longer isolated issues, they are symptoms of a deep-seated systemic imbalance.

The Sachar Committee Report (2006) exposed these fault lines in cold, hard data. It revealed that Muslims had lower literacy levels, poorer access to health and infrastructure, and disproportionately low representation in jobs, universities, and governance.

This isn’t merely a case of socio-economic disparity, it is institutional neglect.

The Rise of Hatred and the Politics of Division

In recent years, an alarming trend of communal polarisation has emerged. Hate crimes, lynchings, exclusionary citizenship narratives, and calls for social and economic boycotts of Muslims have created an atmosphere of fear and alienation. This trend undermines the constitutional idea of India, one built on the pillars of secularism, justice, equality, and fraternity.

It is often falsely alleged by fringe voices that Indian Muslims don’t consider this country their own. This myth is not just historically inaccurate but morally bankrupt. Patriotism runs deep in Indian Muslims. They have defended India’s borders, upheld its democracy, and strengthened its cultural richness for centuries.

The wrongdoing of one person or even a group, can never be used to tarnish an entire community. Such generalisation is the seed of prejudice, not justice. Judging over 200 million citizens based on isolated incidents is not only intellectually dishonest but damaging to national unity.

India Cannot Afford to Leave Muslims Behind

India’s growth cannot be sustainable or inclusive if nearly one-fifth of its population is economically and politically sidelined. Any true vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) must include equitable development for its Muslim citizens.

Economic Argument: Integrating Muslims into the economic mainstream can yield massive gains. Artisans, entrepreneurs, and service providers from Muslim communities form the backbone of many regional economies. Yet they face limited access to credit, skill development, or market linkages.

Social Harmony: Peace and development go hand in hand. Communal distrust not only weakens social fabric but also scares away investment, disrupts governance, and wastes human capital.

Political Maturity: A nation must rise above vote-bank politics and recognize that inclusive development is not appeasement—it is empowerment.

As Mahatma Gandhi once stated, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

The Way Forward: Inclusive Growth as National Duty

It is time India sheds its prejudices and insecurities, and acknowledges that Muslims are as Indian as any other citizen. National development demands national unity and unity cannot be built on exclusion.

1. Equal Access to Education: Quality schools, scholarships, digital infrastructure, and affirmative action must reach Muslim-majority areas.

2. Empowering Youth: Vocational training, entrepreneurship funding, and access to jobs must be guaranteed without bias.

3. Representation and Voice: Muslims must be proportionally represented in policymaking, bureaucracy, and public platforms.

4. Narrative Shift: National leaders, media, and civil society must consciously fight the ‘us vs. them’ narrative. India’s soul lies in “we the people”—not “some of the people.”

Conclusion: One Nation, One Future

India must rise not just in GDP rankings, but in moral, social, and constitutional commitment to equality. A truly developed India is one where every child, whether born in Lucknow or Lalbagh, Malegaon or Meerut, Hindu or Muslim—has equal chance to learn, grow, and contribute.

Let us not measure loyalty by religion, but by contribution, compassion, and shared dreams. The time has come to reject hate and reclaim hope, to embrace every citizen as a co-author of India’s success.

For a house divided cannot stand, and a nation divided cannot lead.

India will be truly developed only when every Muslim believes and is made to feel that they are not a guest in this country. They are the very foundation of it.

Tajjamul Aly