Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start with briefly writing example/data to show the increasing radicalisation in India and the reasons for it.
• Discuss the threat to internal security caused by radicalisation.
• Discuss the measures that can be taken.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

Recently, a ISIS module was busted by the National Investigation Agency. The module was found to have a pan-India presence, stretching across Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala. 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 refers to the process of an individual’s transformation from a moderate, law-abiding citizen into an active, anti-state, violent extremist.

Body

Factors Behind Radicalisation

• Individual socio-psychological factors, which include grievances and emotions such as alienation and exclusion, anger and frustration and a strong sense of injustice.
• Socio-economic factors, which include social exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination (real or perceived), limited education or employment etc.
• Political factors, which include weak and non-participatory political systems lacking good governance and regard for civil society.
• Social media, which provides connectivity, virtual participation and an echo-chamber for like-minded extremist views, accelerates the process of radicalisation.
• Religious factors like the use of religion by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (IS) to spread its influence all over the world is an example.

Threat of Radicalisation

• It severely poses challenges to the internal security of India in many ways. Radicalisation is said to be the first step to terrorism.
• It accentuates anti state violent feelings and thus the government resources are wasted in tackling the violent clashes.
• It impacts the social capital and the power and energy of youth is not utilised in the development of the country.

Measures that can be taken

• Deradicalisation Strategies at War-footing: 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.
• Checking Cross-Border Flow of Propaganda: 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.
• Rehabilitation Measures: 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.
• The promotion of the syncretic nature of religions in India should be promoted 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.