Muslim Clergy's Declining Political Sway Highlights Leaderless Community's Marginalization
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The Muslim clergy (ulema) once had credibility and influence in the political sphere, but this has declined over time due to their failure to protect Muslims' interests.
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Though the "Muslim votebank" myth persists, the ulema have limited ability to sway Muslim votes. Their influence comes more from ground-level whisper campaigns.
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Key events like the Shah Bano case, Babri Masjid demolition, and triple talaq ruling exposed limitations of the ulema and discredited them.
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Hindutva politics has further marginalized the ulema, but parties still discreetly rely on them to canvass Muslim votes without public association.
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Muslim politics is now leaderless. The ulema are no longer seen as representing the community, which has impacted their standing. But some Muslim groups are warming up to BJP's outreach.