Muslim Identity and the Politics of Law in India | Nizamuddin Ahmad Siddiqui

In this compelling podcast, Nizamuddin Ahmad Siddiqqui, Assistant Professor of Law at Jindal Global Law School explores the intricate intersections of politics and law, and the struggle of Indian Muslim identity.

He has previously taught in West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Aliah University and Aligarh Muslim University. With him while examining Muslim issues through the lens of politics and law we delve deep into the struggles of constitutional interpretation, including transformative constitutionalism and constitutional originalism.

How the divergence between Sharia law and personal laws has diluted cultural and religious identities, the rise of Hindutva and the withering away of constitutional logic, and the complexities of personal laws and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

We also discuss the challenges faced by minority institutions, the slow decline of madrassas, and the ongoing controversy over hijab being interpreted as “not” a symbol of freedom of religion or expression.

Furthermore, we analyze the blurred lines between rule of law and rule by law, and how Indian Muslims can navigate the theater of law and politics while grappling with issues like the Places of Worship Act and the Waqf Amendment Bill and so on.

This engaging discussion offers insights into contemporary challenges at the intersection of identity, politics and legal frameworks.

Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most pressing conversations of our times!



00:00 - Teaser
2:11 - Introduction of the host
3:26 - Muslim issues from the perspective of “Politics” and “Law”
7:30 - Why SC’s guideline on Bulldozer action doesn't make sense?
14:07 - Transformative Constitutionalism and Constitutional originalism: the struggle of Muslim identity.
22:39 - How deversion b/w Sharia Law and Personal Laws leads to dilution of Muslim’s cultural identity and religious identity.
39:24 - The rise of Hindutva and withering-away of the Constitutional logic.
43:45 - How Constitutional logic turns communal when used by Muslims?
56:50 - What led to the assimilation of Muslim identity with illegal migrants?
1:06:48 - Personal laws vs UCC
1:25:27 - Difference b/w codification and legal pluralism?
1:28:24 - The need for minority institution and the slow death of the Madrassas
1:45:29 - Politics of law in “not” defining hijab as freedom of religion or expression
1:52:49 - Struggle of Muslim as religious identity and Muslim as cultural identity
2:00:04 - Politics of law: How the judiciary and legislature work together?
2:12:14 - Politics of application: Places of Worship Act & Waqf Amendment bill
2:16:40 - Blurring the line: Rule of Law and Rule by Law
2:21:57 - In the theater of politics and law how Indian Muslims should negotiate?


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