Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain
In the first decade of this millennium Indian Muslims held their heads high in the international community when comments were made that not one Muslim from India had joined the Al Qaida. India’s syncretic culture was responsible for that. However, with increasing efforts of ISIS (Daesh)to influence Muslims all over the world, some effect on Indian Muslim youth now appears evident.
Media reports every other day on a few young people in India making efforts to join Daesh in Syria and Iraq.Some are working incognito as recruiters and influencers and it is unknown how many are already radicalized and sympathetic towards Daesh or simply favoring the cause of extremist ideology.
The numbers is unimportant as these are still miniscule; it is the seeding of the ideology which is dangerous because these trends emerge to become larger threats without warning. There are connectors at work and enough instruments and tools for public outreach. From international trends there can be no prediction about which social segment gets affected as well off and educated Muslims and non-Muslims have also been drawn to the ideology.
It is important to point out that the work of Daesh’s propaganda machinery is slick and extremely professional. Careful recruitment of very savvy and technically proficient personnel who are also equally driven by radical ideology had been ongoing for some time. There are supporters in different parts of the world who run the programs as per local orientation and use emotions which stick and take young people to the proverbial ‘tipping point’ to enable personal decisions. The US is finding it difficult to take down all the propaganda websites and in the battle for countering the slick usage of modern information tools it appears unable to keep pace. Deep data mining has its limitations especially when the quantum and weight of information is so mind boggling.
Much has been written about the attraction value of visuals for vulnerable segments in the West, such as second and third generation immigrants who have been unable to realize their aspirations or integrate in their new environment. The Indian case is something unique for it will take a completely different set of narratives which will draw attention of Muslim youth; the influence over non-Muslims in India is unlikely. While the Government has made it known that suitable counter measures are already in place and succeeding, India needs to be prepared for a surge in efforts by Daesh’s propaganda machinery. This is because international military efforts in Middle East are likely to start succeeding with the recent UNSC Resolution having found unanimity. Daesh’s demand for numbers will enhance and South Asia is a major hunting ground also because of the large presence of its diaspora in the Middle East.
The effort in India must be viewed from the angle of treating the issue as a national security threat; only then will it receive the priority and level of addressing that it deserves. Unfortunately there will be problems in this regard as talk of this in public domain may have political connotations. That the problem in physical manifestation is yet miniscule must not dominate our thought process; its potential must.
In practical terms what counter radicalization methods can work in India? Most analysts and social scientists point to counter narratives against those of the radicals. Beyond the clichéd ones of successful democratic and secular credentials of India it is time for a more professional outlook towards the problem which may be affecting states in Central and Southern India more than the Northern or Eastern states. That is partially due to the larger ratio of presence in the diaspora from these regions as well as greater penetration of internet.
Probably it is the clergy which becomes the most relevant element in this exercise.It clearly holds the key in a community where religious education is considered sacrosanct. The message has to come from it and it is insufficient to simply brand Daesh ideology as un-Islamic. It needs to be condemnatory and this should extend to all forms of radical ideology which promote violence against other faiths or believers in other schools of Islamic thought. The clergy has indeed been coming forward but its voice needs to be repetitive, at Friday sermons, community gatherings and in media. There should be no form of media in which this voice is not carried. When problems of this magnitude strike, the efforts towards solutions have to be equally monumental. The time for quiet introspection and simple advisories is over because the issue has the potential of a scourge. The demand for the moderate Muslim street to rise and be counted has gathered momentum and it is heartening to see visible signs of the community making efforts towards this. Yet more is less and the issue needs transformational leadership and a drive which encompasses more energy than those who wish Indian Muslims to fail.
While education parameters and other social indices in the case of Muslims may be low in comparison, there can be no complaints against the quantum of freedom in this country. Muslim youth must realize the value of freedom through frequent talks by iconic personalities and even common Muslims within ranks of soldiers, policemen, corporate workers and government servants from different walks of life. Much of this has to be physical as the presumption that social media is the only tool of recruitment is flawed.
In the development of alternative narratives there will be a need for a partnership between the Government, intelligence agencies and the clergy. These narratives have to be well thought out, focused and creative based upon essential knowledge of Islam and national patriotic values. The role of academics too is crucial. Similarly strategic think tanks need to join hands to hold frequent interactions with youth and produce material for online reading. In a recent event at a think tank some members of Islamic clergy attending the workshop expressed the idea that many thinkers in Islam have unfortunately given a misinterpreted focus forcing people to believe that aspirations of the faith were to be met through violence. They stated that it was the duty of intellectuals in society to pacify the young and those agitated, and speak against violence.
The importance of institutions such as Aligarh Muslim University and JamiaMilliaIslamia cannot be overstated. The intellectual capital for counter narratives can best be driven by various departments of these institutions.
It is insufficient to counter this in driblets and volumes will make the difference. Especially online the volume of moderate literature must disallow the emergence of Daesh’s voice. It has to be slick and attractive. The TED talks format of 18 minute talks is a suitable one and must be done in in different languages. This should include parent counseling and guidance by psychologists on discerning changes in their wards and how to handle this at the outset.
Muslim families must be immediately advised by elders, community leaders and influential persons that the time for unsupervised religious education of young Muslim children is passé. Unscrupulous elements are on pay rolls to influence young minds in seminaries or during home based reading of scriptures. These moments in solitary company of children are used to impinge ideas detrimental to healthy mental growth and norms of secular society.
Some states have mainstreamed education in seminaries rather than leaving them in isolation. Their inclusion in sports and cultural competitions must be made mandatory. National pride must be inculcated by inviting the institutions to participate in Republic day and Independence Day functions including flag hoisting and march past.
I cannot also resist bringing in the integrative model of the Indian Armed Forces. There are many examples of syncretic culture which are demonstratively followed. The regimental system of the Indian Army is not known to too many people outside the Forces. Visits to SarvDharmSthals of the Army by school children will give a true sensitization of India’s syncretic culture. The officer man relationship in the Army is a strong counter narrative in itself.
Perhaps it is time to consider whether there is need for a National Perception Management Body which goes beyond the scope of the National Integration Council. The need is there for an apex body comprising politicians, bureaucrats, strategic analysts, corporate leaders, psychologists, military, police and intelligence specialists etc with the task of setting out ideas on countering radicalism, anti-national ideologies and divisive trends through counter narratives. The addressing of online subversion and physical countering through engagement should form a part of this body’s task.
The key to the final defeat of the aim of those promoting radicalism is the continued promotion of India’s syncretic heritage and culture. The scope for specific methods is endless and must receive the highest attention.
(The writer has the vast experience of serving in J&K through seven tenures ending as the GOC of the Srinagar based 15 Corps during the challenging period of 2011-12)
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