India’s memorable win against England at the Oval a fortnight ago has broader ramifications beyond the cricket field. In particular, one specific community in India has had plenty to cheer about as one of their community members has done the country proud. Amana Begam writes for The Print:
“There’s a subtle radicalism in a name like Siraj being spoken with national pride. His success is read as proof that someone from a working-class, Pasmanda background can achieve this status…
Mohammed Siraj is an exceptional Indian cricketer, and that, in principle, should be the beginning and end of the story. But in today’s India, visibility rarely travels alone. As a Pasmanda Muslim, Siraj is also being pulled into symbolic service… he’s also become a de facto mascot for Pasmanda Muslims…
For many Pasmanda Muslims, Siraj’s rise represents a quiet challenge to a national imagination that prefers its heroes without context.
On X, one commenter celebrated Siraj’s ascent to the top of the ICC ODI bowling rankings by invoking his sub-community: “He belongs to Mansoori/Dhuniya (cotton carders) from Pasmanda Muslim Community. Jai Pasmanda!”…
The Pasmanda community has lived with generations of marginalization, often left behind even within Muslim society. I know that not everyone will be as fortunate as Siraj, and the system is far from easy. But just having hope — the belief that your identity alone won’t automatically block your path — is a powerful message. Mohammed Siraj, simply by being where he is, sends that message. And for a community that has been told in so many ways that it doesn’t count, that matters more than most people realize.”
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