History

The IUML has been working since its inception true to its objectives and upholds the ideals of secular democracy and social justice. It has a vision of safeguarding the cultural identity of the Muslims, making them capable of  their share to nation building and to equip them to face the challenges of changing times with religious commitment and national outlook.

The IUML has been represented in Parliament right from 1952 to present day. In Kerala it has the illustrious record of leading the cabinet once. late C.H. Mohammed Koya, the charismatic leader of the party, became the Chief Minister of Kerala in 1979. In alliance with Indian National Congress and other secular parties Muslim League has been doing its best under the banner of United Democratic Front. Kerala shows the way to the Muslims of other parts of the Country. In Kerala under the able leadership of Syed Abdurahiman Bafakhy Thangal, K.M. Seethi Sahib; Panakkad P.M.S.A Pookoya Thangal and Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal it has become a political power nobody can ignore. The party in Kerala has the admirably brilliant record of participation in cabinets at various times in coalition Governments, holding portfolios like Education, Home, Industries, Public works, Local administration, Social welfare, Fisheries etc,.

During the beginning of seventies IUML had ministers in West Bengal also. Leading a contingent of seven MLAs in state assembly late A.K.A. Hassanussaman was the league representative in Ajoy Mukherji ministry. The party had representation in various legislative assemblies at various times. Apart from Kerala and West Bengal, IUML had MLAs in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Maharastra, Karanataka, UP, and Assam and there were members in Delhi Metropolitan Council and Mayors in various Municipal Corporations.

IUML stands firm in its commitment to secular democratic principles and envisages that the future of Muslims and other sections of the people depends on the sustainability of the democratic structure led by secular forces. In alliance with the secular democratic parties, IUML firmly believes that the identity and security of the community could be ensured. Time has proved that the decision of the IUML to align with progressive secular forces is a patriotic farsighted policy.
IUML has always been in the forefront to protect the rights of minorities. It could reflect the sentiments of the Muslim community in the every aspect of the law making of our country. Protection of the Religious Places of worship Act, Divorced Muslim Women Protection Bill, Alighar Muslin University Bill, etc., are few to cite the telling influence league has exerted to safeguard the interest of the community.

The dawn of the new century has witnessed the ascendance of the IUML in national political scenario. As a constituent of United Progressive Alliance, IUML could muster the support of the minorities and other backward communities for UPA. IUML has representation in UPA Government since 2004. Mr. E. Ahamed who became the president of IUML following the demise of G.M.Banatwalla, is the Minister of State for Railways since 2009. He was the Minister of State for External Affairs in the first UPA government (2004-2009). In all respect this is a gesture of recognition of the services of IUML which is an eloquent testimony to the fact that IUML has a vital role to play in the secular consolidation of our country. Now the party has three members in Loksabha and one in Rajysaba.

IUML represents the sober, balanced views of the masses. It shuns all forms of extremism and violence and vehemently opposes communal outfits and divisive forces. It assumes itself a role to mobilise the political will of the community to strengthen the secular democratic fabric of our country.

It stands for social justice and inclusive governance. It demands for allocating quotas in governmental appointments to Muslims and other weaker sections proportionate to their population. It earnestly hopes that the Government will formulate plans to alleviate the pathetic conditions of the Muslims in the light of the findings of the Sachar Committee in its report. IUML understands that political empowerment of the down trodden is the need of the day.

(Extracts from the paper presented by Prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen Ex. MP, General Secretary, IUML
at IUML National Delegates Conference, Bangalore on 15th and 16th January, 2010.)

In Brief:
In the Constituent Assembly lead by Qaid-e-Millat M. Muhammad Ismail Saheb, the IUML members, particularly B. Pocker Sabheb, B.A.,B.L., Mehboob Ali Beig Saheb, B. A., B.L. and K.T.M. Ahmed Ibrahim Sahib, B.A, B.L. displayed remarkable parliamentary talents and political vision at the crucial time when on the one hand, the Constitution was on the anvil and on the other hand, the country and its largest minority - the Muslims - were passing through their most difficult times.

In the drafting of the Constituion, the IUML strove:-

• to guard against any encroachments on the principles of federalism and the individual liberty of the citizens
• to uphold the rights and interests of, and to work for just and fair deal to, the minorities

In particular, the IUML strove to provide for :-

• every citizen, the right to follow the personal (religious) law of the group or community to which he belonged
• the right of the child to education in its mother tongue
• religious instruction to pupils in their respective religions
• protection of fundamental rights of citizens
• a single class of citizenship with full citizenship rights for all, irrespective of caste or creed
• reservation for Muslims and other minorities
• Constitutional recognition of Urdu as a National Language
• electoral system appropriate for our society; and various other issue

Since Independence:

Functioning since the Independence of the country, the IUML has a voluminous record of service with outstanding achievements, including:-

• successful campaign for the protection of the Muslim Personal Law or the 'Sharia' - leading to Prime Minister Pandit Nehru's historic letter to Quaid-e-Millat Ismail Saheb giving an assurance (though not fully satisfactory) that no change in the Muslim Personal Law is likely to be made unless Muslims themselves desire it in particular
• successful representation during the dreadful period of emergency in the country for dropping of such amendments to the Constitution, suggested by the Swaran Singh Committee, as would make it the fundamental duty of every citizen to observe Directive Principles which include the uniform civil code in place of the 'Sharia' and to adopt other practices contrary to religious tenets
• successful compaign, during the emergency, against compulsory sterilization. In Maharashtra, in particular, the IUML was successful in preventing the Compulsion Bill to become a law. The IUML opposed it vehemently in Legislative Assembly and the Joint Select Committee, and when the Bill was passed, placed a memorandum signed by nearly seven and half lakh citizens before the President, who finally with-held his assent to the Bill
• success in the agitation for (i) recognition of the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University and (ii) removal of inroads into 'Sharia" consequent to Shahbanu Case, particularly through historic non-official Bills in the Lok Sabha leading to the Government bringing in the official Bills for the purposes
• successful campaign and parliamentary work to secure for Muslims - 
  (i) exemption from the un-Islamic adoption law 
  (ii) amendments of the income-tax provisions mandating trusts and 'awkafs' to invest a particular portion of their assets, in government securities, to the exclusion of land and buildings and 
  (iii) economic and educational measures for the minorities, including reservations, protection of economic and business interests, establishment of Minority Financial Corporation, due status of Urdu, etc
• relief work related to unfortunate communal riots, maintenance of peace, justice to and rehabilitation of the victims and representations to commissions of inquiry
• successful defence in the Mumbai High Court of the 
  (i) 'Shariat' law of inheritance 
  (ii) the right of the deprived millions to vote and 
  (iii) the right to make sacrificial offerings on Id-ul-Adha
• strong support for the cause of the Babri Masjid in Supreme Court through the Government and the legislature of Kerala
• In Kerala, securing, among others -
  (i) reservation in services and educational institutions for Muslims and other minorities
  (ii) formation of the district of Malappuram
  (iii) schools and colleges for Muslims and other minority organisations etc
• success in securing enactment of a law to protect the status of every place of worship as it existed on 15 August 1947 (Independence Day)
• strong opposition to the enactment of unjust laws like TADA, POTA etc
• bold representation to the Librahan Commission of Inquiry on the 'Shahadat' of the Babri Masjid
• opposition to the inroads into the historic and Islamic character of the Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
• active representations and defence on issues concerning 
  (i) position of 'madrassas' and thier autonomy
  (ii) right to religious conversions
  (iii) harassment of Muslims on false pretexts
  (iv) misrepresentation of Islam
  (v) harassment on pretext of being illegal immigrants
• presentation of Muslim position on 'Bande Mataram' and promotion of proper solution of the controversy
• opposition to terrorism, both external and internal
• courageous representation, at all times, of the concerns and interests of the Muslims, the minorities and the backward 
• promotion of national interests

The Indian Union Muslim League is the oldest political organization of the Muslims of India at the national level since the independence of the country and has a formidable record of service.