India’s nomadic Muslims seek affirmative action, economic support
Marginalized Muslim communities in state of Telangana seek dedicated welfare funding, employment assistance and protection of traditional livelihoods
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Members of nomadic Muslim communities in India’s southern state of Telangana staged a hunger strike outside a government office in Karimnagar, demanding affirmative action benefits, financial assistance and protection of traditional livelihoods amid persistent economic and educational marginalization.
The peaceful protest, organized by the Telangana State Nomadic Muslim Tribes Organization, called for the establishment of a dedicated government finance corporation to provide loans, subsidies and development assistance to some of the state’s most disadvantaged Muslim communities.
Addressing demonstrators, Waseem Ahmed, a coordinator of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), said Telangana’s recent caste census had identified nomadic Muslims among the most socially and economically disadvantaged groups within the state’s Backward Classes classification.
India’s affirmative action system provides certain historically marginalized communities with access to reserved places in education and government employment, alongside targeted welfare programs. However, protesters said nomadic Muslims continue to face inadequate representation and limited access to government support.
Ahmed criticized the state government for establishing dedicated financial institutions for other disadvantaged communities while failing to create a similar body for nomadic Muslims.
He demanded immediate establishment of a finance corporation with adequate funding and implementation of a previously promised annual allocation of 10 billion Indian rupees ($106 million) to help families who have lost their traditional occupations.
The protesters also sought implementation of commitments under the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Ta’lim Scheme, an educational welfare initiative, to improve access to schooling and educational opportunities.
Another major demand concerned Muslim communities whose traditional occupations have been affected by restrictions under India’s forest and wildlife protection laws.
Demonstrators called for the withdrawal of criminal cases registered under forest laws against Gardi Muslims and communities historically engaged in snake charming.
They also demanded fully subsidized loans of up to 1 million rupees ($10,600) for families deprived of their traditional livelihoods, alongside monthly unemployment assistance of at least 15,000 rupees ($160).
The organization urged authorities to allow Nai Muslims, traditionally associated with barbering and related occupations, to continue their livelihoods without restrictions.
Other demands included constructing a community development center, recovering illegally occupied Waqf properties — religious endowments established under Islamic law — and using their resources to support impoverished Muslim families.
The protesters also called for nomadic Muslim communities to receive appropriate recognition under India’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) affirmative action framework.
Community leaders, including organization president Sher Ali and working president MD Shabbir, warned that demonstrations would intensify unless the Telangana government addressed their demands.
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