During the turbulent months of Ramadan in 1974, the northern city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, India, was a powder keg of communal tension. In an era when Shia-Sunni clashes threatened to tear apart the fabric of society, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna—then the newly appointed chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and a stalwart of the Indian National Congress—took a bold step to forge peace. With communal tensions at a peak during a sacred period meant for reflection and unity, Bahuguna extended an olive branch to the Shia community by inviting Shia leader Ashraf Hussain to break his fast at his residence. Though Hussain initially declined due to religious obligations, Bahuguna’s insistence led him to accept the invitation, and the resulting iftar meal became a turning point in quelling the riots.
This early instance of using iftars as a tool for communal reconciliation left an indelible mark on Indian politics. Over the ensuing decades, iftar parties hosted by political leaders evolved into a symbol of secular outreach—a means to signal inclusiveness and to promote peace between communities. For many, these gatherings represented the very essence of Indian secularism, showcasing a commitment to unity even in the face of deep-seated differences.
The Transformation of Iftar Politics
Over the past 50 years, political iftars have grown from spontaneous acts of peacemaking into meticulously planned events. Once a tool used in moments of crisis to halt riots and soothe communal tensions, iftar parties have become a staple of the Indian political calendar. They are now seen as a means for political parties and leaders to court the Muslim community—a demographic that, in the post-partition era, largely supported the Congress party as a guarantor of their rights and security.
READ MORE: Liberal Leader Seeks Demotion Amid ‘Support for Basil’
The legacy of these events is complex. On one hand, iftars have been celebrated as a legacy of India’s secular tradition, wherein leaders like Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna and Indira Gandhi used the occasion to bridge cultural and religious divides. As sociologist Shiv Visvanathan once remarked, “Iftar reflected a certain notion of plurality, an idea of celebrating differences in commonality.” This inclusiveness was a cornerstone of the Congress party’s narrative for decades, projecting an image of a nation where differences were not only tolerated but celebrated.
A Shift in Political Strategy
In recent years, however, the nature of political iftars appears to have shifted. Critics argue that these gatherings are increasingly seen not as genuine acts of reconciliation but as calculated political stunts aimed at wooing elite Muslims for votes. Political iftars today are often highly choreographed events with carefully curated guest lists. As political analyst Rasheed Kidwai puts it, “Political iftar was not a creation of the Muslims; it was envisaged by non-Muslim political actors. The Muslims were just the showpieces.”
This criticism points to a worrying trend. Instead of fostering authentic dialogue and unity, iftars have sometimes devolved into performative displays designed to curry favor with influential members of the community. The carefully selected guest lists, which often include top-tier Muslim diplomats, bureaucrats, and influential social figures, signal an attempt to project a veneer of inclusiveness without necessarily addressing the systemic issues faced by ordinary Muslims in India.
The Politics of Patronage and Pander
The evolution of political iftars can be seen as a microcosm of broader shifts in Indian politics. In the 1970s, under leaders like Indira Gandhi, iftars were used as a means to mend fractured communal relations during times of crisis. But even then, there were tensions. Indira Gandhi’s lavish iftars, for instance, were viewed by some as an outreach program aimed at reviving her support among Muslim voters—a strategy that ultimately did not prevent the loss of support in the 1977 elections.
Since then, the political landscape in India has shifted dramatically, particularly with the rise of Hindu nationalism under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Unlike their predecessors, BJP leaders have largely distanced themselves from the tradition of hosting iftars. The absence of iftars in Modi’s political strategy underscores a significant transformation in the country’s political discourse. Whereas earlier political iftars symbolized a commitment to secularism and inclusivity, the current trend reflects an environment where such gestures are viewed with suspicion, and where the fear of alienating a major vote bank has altered traditional practices.
Criticism and Controversy
Critics of modern political iftars argue that they are little more than “theatrical” displays that distract from more pressing issues facing the Muslim community. As political scientist Asim Ali observes, “These iftars are a kind of religious outreach programme designed by the political class, with a rigid and problematic form of secularism. They are a curated display intended to win votes rather than address the genuine needs of the people.”
The controversy extends to the symbolism of the iftar itself. Once a time-honored tradition symbolizing communal unity and shared values, today’s iftars are sometimes seen as a tool for political patronage. For instance, during the mid-1970s, Indira Gandhi used iftar parties to court elite Muslims, inviting a select group of influential figures to her gatherings in an effort to project an image of inclusiveness. Critics argue that this selective approach not only alienated many ordinary Muslims but also turned iftars into events that were more about image management than meaningful engagement.
Furthermore, these events have occasionally been marred by issues of exclusivity and class segregation. Prominent political iftars have been criticized for their opulent settings and luxurious presentations, which starkly contrast with the economic realities of many in the Muslim community. As one analyst noted, “Iftar parties thrown by politicians are a vulgar display of material wealth and power, and they do little to address the real issues affecting common Muslims.”
The Changing Political Landscape
The transformation in the nature of political iftars mirrors broader changes in India’s political landscape. During the post-independence era, the Congress party, under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, championed secularism as a core principle. Their iftars were seen as genuine gestures of goodwill and efforts to integrate a diverse society. Over time, however, as political dynamics shifted with the rise of the BJP and a more majoritarian discourse, the practice of hosting iftars has become increasingly politicized.
Today, while some regional parties and leaders still organize iftar events, the practice is not as widespread as it once was. Many contemporary political actors view such events as outdated or as potential liabilities in a political environment dominated by Hindu nationalism. This shift has sparked debate about the role of iftars in modern Indian politics—whether they are still a viable means of promoting communal harmony or merely relics of a bygone era that now serve as tools for political pander.
The Legacy of Political Iftars
Despite the criticism, the tradition of political iftars has left an enduring legacy in Indian politics. For decades, these gatherings were instrumental in bridging divides and fostering dialogue between communities. They symbolized a time when the political elite made a concerted effort to include and celebrate diversity, even amid deep-seated conflicts.
Political iftars also provided a platform for influential voices within the Muslim community to engage with the broader political discourse. Leaders like Ashraf Hussain and Abdullah Bukhari used these events to highlight the concerns of their communities and to negotiate on issues ranging from economic opportunities to social justice. The legacy of these iftars is a reminder of the potential for political actions to transcend partisanship and promote unity.
A Reflection on the Present
Today, as debates over political iftars intensify, it is clear that the practice is at a crossroads. On one hand, they are seen by some as vestiges of India’s secular past—a symbol of inclusivity and mutual respect. On the other hand, many view them as corrupted by political opportunism, serving more as a means to secure votes among elite sections of the Muslim community than as genuine efforts to address systemic issues.
The contemporary perspective on political iftars is influenced by several factors. The rise of digital media and widespread scrutiny have amplified every political gesture, making it harder for leaders to hide behind symbolic acts. Moreover, the socio-political environment in India has become increasingly polarized, with political narratives often shaped by concerns over identity, representation, and power. In this context, even well-intentioned iftars can be viewed as performative and superficial.
Conclusion: Between Legacy and Political Pander
The phenomenon of political iftars in India is a complex and multifaceted one. Once a tool for fostering peace and unity during times of communal strife, these gatherings have, over time, evolved into high-profile events that reflect both the legacy of Indian secularism and the contemporary realities of political opportunism. Critics argue that modern iftars are little more than carefully curated stunts aimed at wooing elite Muslims for votes, a tactic that ultimately undermines the promise of genuine communal harmony.
Yet, for many, the memory of political iftars also carries a sense of nostalgia—a reminder of a time when the political class made a genuine effort to bridge divides and celebrate diversity. As India continues to navigate its complex socio-political landscape, the role of political iftars remains a contentious issue, emblematic of the broader struggle between secular ideals and political pragmatism.
Whether viewed as a relic of a more inclusive past or as a symptom of political rot, political iftars are unlikely to disappear entirely. Instead, they will continue to evolve, reflecting the shifting dynamics of Indian politics. For now, they serve as both a legacy of historical efforts to maintain communal harmony and a mirror of the contemporary challenges that come with catering to diverse electoral bases in a rapidly changing nation.
In a country where over 200 million Muslims constitute one of the largest minority communities in the world, the way political leaders engage with this demographic will continue to be a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. As India’s political narrative unfolds, the iftar parties of the past and present offer valuable insights into how secularism, identity, and political strategy intersect—a conversation that remains as relevant today as it was half a century ago.
