Negotiating Islamic Authority in a Secular Democracy:

The Role of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board in Legal Pluralism

Nehal Ahmad

Zartab Ansari

 

Abstract: This article examines the complex interplay between religious authority and India's secular legal framework, with a particular emphasis on the function of the All-India Muslim Individual Law Board (AIMPLB) in contemporary India. Non-state legal entities, such as the AIMPLB, find themselves in a unique situation as they challenge the authority of secular constitutional governance while navigating the complex dynamics of legal pluralism and secularism in modern India. This article examines the intricate challenges of integrating religious law into secular legal systems, focusing on the precarious balance between India's constitutional democracy and the AIMPLB's religious authority. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about legal pluralism, secularism, and religious authority in diverse democratic cultures, employing doctrinal analysis, case study methodology, and an examination of institutional practices. The findings suggest that while legal pluralism enables religious communities to preserve their unique legal customs, it also gives rise to contentious disputes that necessitate ongoing dialogue between religious and secular authorities.