Iftar parties have become a significant fixture in India's political landscape, serving as both symbols of unity and subjects of controversy. That tradition started back in the 1970s, with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi leading the way. She once again used these gatherings to display strength in numbers and forge strategic political partnerships. The planners of these events were very careful, curating a roster of powerful Muslim diplomats, bureaucrats, and journalists. Miffed ministers of the incumbent government joined the meetings. Politicians adopted the practice to signal their support for Muslims, a minority community in India. The intention behind this shift was to encourage representation and inclusiveness.
The character and image of these iftar parties have changed with time, mirroring a larger backdrop of the changing Indian politics. These meetings were initially intended to be conciliatory with the Muslim community. Lately, they’ve been more and more viewed as politically motivated gestures. Political iftars have become a highly symbolic postcolonial practice. Politicians today have learnt that these events offer a cheap, easy way to prove that there is representation of Muslims in India. The increasing furor around these meetings has created a huge emotional backlash. Consequently, many political forces, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have mostly decided to avoid them.
The Origins and Intentions of Political Iftars
The origin of political iftar parties go back to Indira Gandhi’s time in the 1970s. Throughout her time as Prime Minister, Gandhi demonstrated her political acumen by conducting these events. Her goal through these meetings was to forge solid partnerships and coalitions. The guest list often included the most important lights within the Muslim community. Of course, it included disgruntled ministers from her own faith-party. These highly strategic meetings sought to create the veneer of an inclusive, secular environment.
"During the Congress’s time, inclusiveness and secularism were the dominant discourse of Indian politics," remarked Hilal Ahmed, highlighting the underlying intentions of these early iftar parties.
The iftar parties were purportedly an opportunity for politicians to “reach out” and address the broader Muslim community. But instead, they became chided for being performative gestures, and not anything with substance to actually meet the public where they were.
"It was envisaged by non-Muslim political actors, and the Muslims were guests. They were just the showpieces," said Asim Ali, reflecting on the symbolic nature of these events.
Evolution and Controversy
As time went on, iftar parties grew in numbers—in tandem with their increasing notoriety. Under Sonia Gandhi's leadership, the Congress party continued this tradition with notable events such as an iftar hosted at the party headquarters on Delhi's Akbar Road in December 2001. Just as often now, Pranab Mukherjee, then India’s president, hosted annual iftars.
The political landscape began to shift dramatically. This process was accelerated by the emergence of the Hindu nationalist movement, especially after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. This shift has resulted in a loss of scale, pomp and circumstance – and above all, importance – of these gatherings.
"The dominant political narrative after Modi is driven by Hindu nationalism," noted Hilal Ahmed.
The BJP, for its part, has mostly stayed away from hosting iftar parties. This decision is part of a larger trend towards majoritarian politics in India, where religious and cultural pluralism is under threat.
"With majoritarianism, things such as this joy are disappearing," observed Shiv Visvanathan.
The Changing Role of Iftar Parties
Even though they are increasingly infrequent, iftar parties are tempting for politicians, and they often show up too seldomly go to jail. These events are still viewed by many—as justifiable as that worldview may be—as PR opportunities to engage in damage control with the Muslim community. Critics say that the complaint process has been politicized so that it is no longer a mechanism for the original purpose.
"Instead of highlighting the Islamic character of this holy month, iftar parties have been politicised," stated Abdullah Bukhari.
The inclusive, celebratory perception of iftar parties has thus turned into politically expedient gestures. Yet, paradoxically, this moment of transformation leads us to ask questions about the relevance and efficacy of these tools in today’s Indian politics.
"This was never to serve common Muslims. Basically, it is the political class reaching out to a handpicked section that could mediate with the larger Muslim population," commented Asim Ali.
