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The insidious return of separate electorates
The Assam State Assembly results are described as revealing a stark religious division, with a BJP-led ruling camp devoid of Muslim MLAs and an opposition that is predominantly Muslim. The article links this to the historical concept of separate electorates and warns against their revival.
Why It Matters
The piece argues that adopting or normalizing religious-based electorates could threaten India's pluralist political fabric and calls for voices from across parties.
Timeline
4 Events
Assam Assembly results reported: Hindu-dominated ruling camp, Muslim opposition
May 11, 2026
The Assam State Assembly results show a 102-member BJP-led ruling dispensation with no Muslim MLAs. In the Opposition, 22 MLAs are Muslims: Congress 18; Raijor Dal 1 (Raijor Dal has two members, of which one is Muslim); AIUDF 2; and one MLA from the Trinamool Congress. The article describes this as a stark, religion-based segregation in the Assembly.
Talks of forming a Constituent Assembly
1946
There were talks in 1946 of forming a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution as part of the broader process leading to independence.
1946 provincial elections and Muslim League sweep
1946
The 1946 provincial elections are described as crucial, with the Muslim League sweeping the Muslim seats, winning 87% of them, while the Congress—portrayed as a representative of non-Muslims—won 90% of the general non-Muslim seats.
Morley-Minto Reforms introduce communal electorates
1909
The article references the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, which introduced communal electorates by reserving seats on religious lines for elections. It notes that provincial elections continued under this framework until the formation of the Constituent Assembly.