Part 8/15:
The Muslim community—comprising about 14% of India’s population—has historically faced discrimination, yet it also forms about 40% of the Dalit vote (India’s marginalized lower castes). The opposition’s strategy to unite these groups saw some success, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, where the Samajwadi Party—a key player in the opposition alliance—gained ground, reducing BJP’s seats from 62 in 2019 to 33 in 2024.