– Mohd.Naushad Khan
New Delhi : The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), the apex umbrella body of Muslim organisations founded in 1964, celebrated its 60th anniversary with a historic national convention at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on Saturday. The day-long event brought together prominent scholars, activists, policymakers, and community leaders to deliberate on the challenges confronting Indian Muslims and to chart a roadmap for empowerment.
The convention, spread across multiple sessions, was inaugurated under the chairmanship of Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, former member of the Planning Commission, and concluded with a session presided over by Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, President of the Zakat Foundation of India.
AIMMM President Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan traced the organisation’s journey since its inception in Lucknow in 1964, recalling how it was formed during a period of communal violence to safeguard peace, justice, and minority rights through dialogue with the state and society. Dr. Khan highlighted AIMMM’s contributions in advocacy, research, and outreach, while also acknowledging past setbacks due to internal conflicts between 2016 and 2020. With its re-registration in June 2024, the Mushawarat has since revived its activities, including issuing policy statements, creating state branches, and reforming its constitution. “The organisation has faced many challenges, but today’s call is for unity of all Muslim bodies on a Common Minimum Programme to defend rights, ensure justice, and build bridges with wider society,” he said.
The occasion also saw the release of Mushawarat Documents in English and Urdu, along with a special Souvenir chronicling six decades of AIMMM’s role in defending minority rights.
In a keynote analysis, Prof. Hilal Ahmed of CSDS examined political and economic shifts since liberalisation, stressing how welfare moved from rights-based entitlements to market-driven “beneficiary” schemes under the present government. He cautioned that Hindutva nationalism has displaced secular-communal debates, marginalising Muslims despite their 200 million-plus population.
Harsh Mander, human rights activist and former IAS officer, condemned false narratives of “demographic conspiracy” and discriminatory actions such as the detention of Rohingya refugees. He invoked memories of the anti-CAA protests as India’s largest people’s movement since independence, urging communities to resist hate politics with solidarity and inclusiveness.
Senior journalist Zia-us-Salam exposed the institutional bias of Indian media in criminalising Muslims while concealing religious identity in other crimes. He called for the establishment of independent media outlets in English and Hindi to amplify minority voices.
Policy analyst Jawed Alam Khan criticised the meagre 0.12% budget allocation for minorities, lamenting the closure of fellowships and scholarships. Similarly, Nadeem Khan of APCR highlighted the misuse of bulldozer demolitions against marginalised groups, presenting data of more than 1,500 cases nationwide.
Supreme Court lawyer M.R. Shamshad warned of legislative threats to Waqf institutions, stressing that attempts to weaken madrasas and mosques are part of a larger effort to erode community foundations. Former MP Mohammad Adeeb, in an emotional address, urged Muslims to shed fear and disunity, drawing lessons from Shaheen Bagh. “Muslims must stop waiting for saviours and rebuild their institutions with courage,” he said.
Closing the convention, Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood emphasized the need for Muslim youth to participate in governance. “Don’t oppose the bureaucracy—become the bureaucracy,” he said, encouraging aspirants to prepare not only for UPSC but also for state commissions, judiciary, and other public service examinations.
The Mushawarat’s 60th anniversary convention was more than a commemoration. It became a platform of reflection and resolve, where voices from diverse fields echoed a single message: Indian Muslims must embrace unity, resilience, and proactive engagement to safeguard constitutional values and secure a dignified place in India’s democratic fabric.
