We investigate the impact of the political representation of minority groups on the incidence of ethnic conflict in …-random variation in legislator religion generated by the results of close elections. We find that the presence of Muslim legislators … results in a large and significant decline in Hindu-Muslim conflict. The average result is driven by richer states and those …

policies are less effective for Muslim-led groups in towns with a recent history of religious conflict. Our findings contribute … minorities, and conflict. …