Leaders of Indian mosques and Muslim scholars (5)
I believe the answer is:
imams
'leaders of indian mosques' is the definition.
'imams' can be an answer for 'leaders' (imam is a kind of leader). I am not certain of the 'of indian mosques' bit.
'muslim scholars' is the wordplay.
'muslim' becomes 'imam' (imam is a kind of muslim).
'scholars' becomes 's' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'imam'+'s'='IMAMS'
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for imams that I've seen before include "Mosque prayer leaders" , "prayer-leaders" , "Islamic holy men" , "devotional officers" , "They lead prayers in mosques" .)