The Indian Muslims are the largest minority in India and in terms of absolute number they are second only to Indonesia (the largest among Muslim majority countries). But inspite of their impressive numerical strength the Indain Muslims are politically powerless, socially marginalised educationally backward and economically poor in comparision to their compatriots.

The numerical strength of Indian Muslims and their spatial configuration is such that they can easily control the levers of power through their representatives in legislative bodies. In more than 70 parliamentary constituencies their voter strength is between 20-30 percents which can ensure their victory with slight maneuvering and electoral adjustment with other non-Muslim deprived sections of the society on common issues and minimum goal of sharing power in a coalition government. There is similar situation in legislative assemblies of U.P., Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Unfortunately, the Indian Muslims are not politically organised. They cannot convert their numerical strength into political advantage without an effective instrument of a political organization of their own. Without political empowerment no community in the world can hope to improve its material and cultural status as every progress flows from the barrel of political power. Even social and educational work cannot take place without umbrella of political power.

With this framework in mind some like-minded persons with strong sense of ideological commitment have formed a political organization named Parcham Party of India (PPI). The sole aim of PPI is the political empowerment of Indian Muslims on the basis of their own political organization within the secular and democratic constitutional spirit of India. PPI is not a political party in the traditional sense. Although it will participate in electoral politics contensting election is not the sole purpose. PPI will devote its energy for the overall empowerment and social reconstruction of Indian Muslims of which contesting election is an essential part but not total activity.

The core group of PPI, the members of the central council have self-imposed condition that they will not contest any election for atleast five years and devote their entire energy to strengthen the organizational set up. Furthermore, professional politicians who derive their livelihood from politics will not be inducted as members of central council. Only those persons who are self-supported in terms of their livelihood and adopt politics as their sacred mission are entitled to be inducted in the central council. The leadership of PPI is based on collective decision and consensual approach.

It is a matter of great pleasure that there is optimum level of political awareness among the community in general and educated and professional middle class in particular. The environment is quite favourable for the formation of a broad-based and deep-rooted Muslim political organization based on the ideology of Muslim nationalism and cutting across the narrowness of social caste or religious sectoral considerations.

PPI appreciates this sentiment of its sympathizers and their sincere efforts to understand the policy and practice of the organization. This modest work is a humble effort to satisfy the queries from our well-wishers.

We request the readers to think over these and ether related questions of similar nature. If they are not convinced they should not hesitate in asking questions after question. If they are convinced they should come forward with their active support with all the resources at their command to strengthen PPI so that the present and future generations of Indian Muslims are able to guide their destiny.

Saleem Peerzada,
National President