India needs a policy solution for the problem of radicalisation
The recent arrest of multiple suspects in the ISI terror module case shows that the threat of radicalisation in India is pervasive and increasing exponentially. A month before these arrests, a different ISIS module was busted by the National Investigation Agency present in pan-India. The investigations have gone on to reveal that online radicalisation played an important role in the recruitment of members as well as the preparation and/or execution of extremist activities by the members.
Radicalisation
- Radicalisation is a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals, especially with regard to support for or use of violence.
- Radicalization refers to the gradual social process into extremism and is often applied to explain changes in ideas or behaviour.
- Radicalization as a concept is not absolute, but relative and dependent on the context in which it takes place.
Radicalisation in India
- The problem of radicalisation in India is well past its primary stages and has entered a second stage with more defined characteristics.
- Evidence from reports of various investigative agencies across the country show that the process is now subtle, systematic, organised, programmed and structured.
- India identified radicalisation as the greatest threat to the security and safety of all member countries at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- The member countries were asked to heed the challenges and build effective responses.
- In line with this vision, India must lead by example and develop responses systematically with due regard to constitutional values.
Government’s response towards Radicalisation
- So far, the Indian state’s response has been characteristically security-centric ranging from prevention of violent extremism, unlawful activities and terrorist acts.
- India responded by strengthening intelligence apparatus or through brute force or holding talks and initiating programmes aimed at the cessation of violence. However, it seems that these responses have come too late.
- The responses can broadly be classified under the heads like– de-radicalisation, counter-radicalisation, anti-radicalisation and disengagement.
Counter-Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation
- Ministry of Home Affairs had set up the Counter-Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division in November 2017.
- Objective: Implementation and administration of counter-terror laws and monitoring of fundamentalist organisations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India, Popular Front of India, Jamaat-e-Islami and Sanatan Sanstha.
- The division was originally mandated with the task of developing policies and strategies to counter-radicalisation.
- Task of developing an action plan for counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation only forms a single point in a list of nearly 59 other tasks.
Road ahead
- It is pertinent to develop strategies before violence becomes the leitmotif of radicalisation.
- The Indian state should develop and enforce de-radicalisation, counter-radicalisation and anti-radicalisation strategies at a pan-India and pan-ideology level on a war footing.
- Such attempts must be informed by the fact that the battle against radicalisation begins in the minds and hearts much before it manifests in terms of violence.
- Any programme aimed at deterring or reversing radicalisation must focus on the ideological commitment that enables the violence, rather than the violence or the justification of violence itself.
- Efforts must be made to first stem the flow of propaganda from across the Indian borders.
- A uniform statutory or policy framework to deal with radicalisation, de-radicalisation and its associated strategies should be developed.
- Counter-radicalisation strategies involving the rehabilitation, re-education and re-integration of those undergoing radicalisation must be developed and implemented.
- Arrested and convicted individuals must not only be prosecuted and punished as a measure of deterrence or retribution but their reformation and rehabilitation must also be prioritised.
- Anti-radicalisation measures aimed at the prevention of radicalisation must be executed.
- They should include:
- Promotion of the syncretic nature of religions in India through the development of counter-narratives.
- Promotion of constitutional values and virtues.
- Promotion of sports and other activities in schools and other educational institutions aimed at mainstreaming the youth.
- There is also a need to develop a definition of radicalisation that suits the needs of such an action plan and is tailored to our particular context.
- This will allow the state to develop programmes and strategies to effectively combat such radical ideas, thereby addressing the problem of radically motivated violence.
- The definition would also help provide clarity as regards the purpose of implementation of the Action Plan.
It must be understood that radicalisation by itself is not bad and gains a positive or negative characteristic based upon its context. A mere deviation from conventional thinking must not be penalised. Radicalisation becomes problematic only where it has the propensity to lead to violence. The challenge lies in preventing such radicalisation. Developing a nuanced understanding of the process of radicalisation as well as its characteristics can help guide the Action Plan in effectively meeting such challenges.
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