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Unity in diversity concept excludes Muslim identity, rues prof
Hilal Ahmed argues that substantive Muslim identity and the discourse about Muslim identity diverge, with current nationalist narratives increasingly excluding Muslim identity. The piece references a 2023 incident and a UP train study to illustrate how Muslim identity is visible in everyday life but not in formal nationalism.
Why It Matters
The timeline highlights how Muslim identity is becoming less visible in India's nationalist discourse, potentially shaping public perception and policy.
Timeline
4 Events
Experiment on trains in Uttar Pradesh on Muslim identity vs discourse
Unknown date
Ahmed and other researchers conducted experiments on trains in Uttar Pradesh to study when substantive Muslim identity, or 'grassroots Muslimness', began to emerge. They found that once substantive Muslim identity began to emerge, the image of Muslims that many Hindus had began to disappear, and the topic of discussion veered toward the shared problems both Hindus and Muslims faced.
Article reporting the talk published
May 3, 2026
The article 'Unity in diversity concept excludes Muslim identity, rues prof' was published, reporting Ahmed's remarks and providing context on the historical and current status of Muslim identity within Indian nationalism.
Talk in Mumbai on 'Muslim Identity and Nationalism' discusses invisibilisation in Unity in Diversity
May 2, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Mumbai, Hilal Ahmed spoke on 'Muslim Identity and Nationalism', noting a gap between substantive Muslim identity and discourse. He stated that Muslim identity is currently not featured in the concept of 'unity in diversity' and described this invisibilisation as part of a 'second political consensus' in the country.
RPF jawan shoots three Muslim passengers on Jaipur–Mumbai Express and delivers pro‑Modi/Yogi remark
July 2023
An RPF jawan shot three Muslim passengers on the Jaipur–Mumbai Superfast Express in July 2023 and then delivered a speech saying, "If you want to live in India, you have to say Yogi/Modi".