Mariyam Usmani, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: The entry of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections has brought the issues of civil liberties, religious freedom and communal hatred back to the forefront of electoral discourse. As the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its primary opponent, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), remain ensnared in Hindutva politics and electoral machinations, AIMIM candidates Shifaur Rehman Khan from Okhla and Tahir Hussain from Mustafabad have shifted the conversation toward minority rights, social justice and the overlooked concerns of the Muslim community.
Incarcerated under stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA for allegedly conspiring the 2020 riots in the national capital, both candidates have been languishing in jail for the past five years. They have been granted custody parol for campaigning. The duo along with their family members have infused the campaign with a fresh energy.
A Pervasive Concern
In Okhla, the decade-long rule of the AAP seems to have not only eroded the public’s faith in developmental promises but has also stifled discussions on identity, security and dignity.
Shifa’s wife Nooreen Fatima talked about alleged political failures and emphasised that “corruption, injustice and deception” are the true challenges facing the community. “The arrest of activists on fabricated charges is a battle we must fight,” she said and pointed to the broader issue of “political prisoners” and the “decline of activism under a regime that favors middlemen over genuine leaders”.
As the president of the Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI) and a social activist, Shifa has apparently emerged as a figure of hope for the youth in Okhla. His promise to address communal security issues and speak out against alleged systemic injustice seemingly resonates with a public weary of “unfulfilled” promises.
“Our rivals may fear our commitment because they understand we challenge their authority,” Nooreen added, while underscoring the difference between AIMIM’s “transparency” and the “political maneuvering” of its opponents.
Despite the alleged prevalence of “vote mafias” and “corrupt tactics”, there seems to be a growing resilience among voters, a determination to support leaders who have stood by them in times of crisis. The youth argue that activists like Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Gulfisha Fatima, who have been incarcerated for years on the same charges, now find hope in the “grassroot” campaigns led by Shifa and Tahir.
Support for the AIMIM campaign is seemingly growing, especially among students and youth from Jamia Millia Islamia, who, like Safoora Zargar, were detained during the anti-CAA protests of 2020.
Nooreen criticised major political parties for allegedly perpetuating “hopeless narratives that portray Muslims as broken and oppressed, serving only to further their own agendas”. “AAP’s lack of defense for their own MLA, Amanatullah Khan, is a clear sign that Muslims are being marginalised under their rule,” she alleged and called for a politics that addresses the real needs of the community.
From Riots to Reclamation
In Mustafabad, the scars of the 2020 riots still run deep. The AIMIM’s presence in the area because of Tahir’s candidacy has become a symbol of resistance against the communal violence that has plagued the region. Tahir has always maintained his innocence, and his family continues to fight for justice in a system they feel has been rigged against them.
His brother-in-law, Usmani, emphasised that Tahir was “unjustly targeted” for his identity as a Muslim. “If the public supports us, we will raise our voice for everyone who has been victimised for their Muslim identity,” he alleged.
His accusation reflects broader sentiment of the Muslim community in the Trans Yamuna region. Deen Mohammad, a riot victim and fruit wholesaler, described the devastation caused by the mobs that targeted Muslim-owned businesses. “It was like a nightmare. They came from Bhajanpura, set fire to our shops and destroyed everything,” he recalled.
The scars of that day are still fresh, but Tahir’s campaign seemingly offers them a platform to voice their suffering and demand accountability.
Another local resident, Kausar Begum, another survivor of the riots, now stand firmly behind the AIMIM candidate. “We want someone from our community to stand up for us,” she said, while recalling the horrors of those days.
Tahir’s wife, Shama Anjum, has also become a prominent face in the campaign. She talks about the losses she suffered during the riots.
The ‘Unmet’ Promise
While the emotional weight of the campaign cannot be understated, AIMIM’s candidates have also placed a strong emphasis on developmental issues, which have been neglected by the ruling parties. In Okhla, the deteriorating state of infrastructure, education and healthcare is a central theme of Shifa’s campaign. “We will not make fake promises,” he vowed, highlighting the poor conditions of streets, educational facilities and healthcare services in the area.
In Mustafabad, Usman echoed this sentiment and criticised the alleged failure of AAP’s policies. “We already have the public’s confidence from our work as municipal councilor,” he said. “When Tahir becomes MLA, we will address the basic needs of water, electricity and street infrastructure. The AAP has failed to deliver on even the simplest services, like Mohalla clinics.”
‘No Compensation for Loss’
As the election season heats up, the personal tragedies and communal tensions of the past have become inextricably linked to the political campaigns.
“Nothing can fill this gap — the little gestures of happiness, our Eids, Ramzans, birthdays and anniversaries that we missed. Nobody can compensate for that,” said Nooreen.Yet, she believes that her husband’s entry into politics has clarified many things and brought a sense of hope. “What we seek is a ‘love-token’ from the public for standing up for everyone,” she said.
This election marks a rare moment where personal loss has been transformed into political activism, as women like Nooreen and Shama balance their emotional struggles with political clarity. Their stories add a deeply human dimension to the Delhi elections and offer a stark contrast to the often-impersonal nature of mainstream politics.
Community Awakening?
The campaigns of Shifa and Tahir are resonating deeply with the public, especially in Okhla and Mustafabad, where communities have long felt marginalised and oppressed. The lack of visible candidates from the Congress and the BJP in these constituencies has allowed the AIMIM to fill the vacuum, with the community now turning to them for leadership.
In Mustafabad, the mood is one of cautious optimism, with locals confident in Tahir’s potential to represent them. “We have seen Tahir’s work in the area. AAP’s communal shift has alienated the Muslim community,” said Mohammad Salman, a student. “Kejriwal has never supported us. Now, we see a clear difference between him and the AIMIM.”
In Okhla, voters are also talking about Shifa’s past activism, especially during the anti-CAA protests. “Shifaur Rehman stood by us during our worst times. Now, it is our responsibility to support him,” said Mohammad Kaif from Shaheen Bagh.
This election marks a historic moment in Delhi politics, where the candidate and the public are united in a mutual quest for justice, a bond forged through shared suffering and a commitment to rebuilding the community.