India, May 3 -- Muslim identity has two aspects: Muslim substantive identity, that is, the way Muslims live on the ground; and the discourse about Muslim identity. And the gap between the two is very wide, said Hilal Ahmed, researcher and professor with the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). However, he added, "Once you try to find out the former, you invariably find yourself veering away from the latter."

Speaking on 'Muslim Identity and Nationalism' in Mumbai on Saturday, Ahmed recalled the incident where an RPF jawan shot three Muslim passengers on board the Jaipur Mumbai Superfast Express in July 2023. The jawan then delivered a speech saying, "If you want to live in India, you have to say Yogi/Modi."

Ahmed remarke...