The recent blast in Delhi, carried out by Islamic terrorists, has caused at least 12 casualties. Many of the terrorists were Indian citizens radicalized by handlers both inside and outside India. The violent attack is an assault on the identity of India and the diversity it sustains. The Indian Government and security agencies are doing their duty by unearthing the plot and punishing the culprits. However, civil society also has a role to play in this fight against intolerance.
It may be noted that terrorists
behind Delhi-like violence are identified as Islamic terrorists because of
their stated motivations for the attacks and their adherence to the Islamic
faith. A large number of Muslims across the country condemn terrorism. However,
this has not been sufficient to isolate terrorists and eliminate terrorism.
There are several reasons for this. First, terrorists exploit cohesiveness
within the Islamic community to conceal their ill-motivated activities. Second,
the arrested terrorists are typically practicing Muslims who use Islamic
insignia. It is not easy to distinguish the minuscule number of Islamic
terrorists from the vast majority of Muslim citizens, as both may use similar
language, attire, and other lifestyle elements.
In order to contribute to the
solution, Muslim citizens need to take more proactive steps. Muslims should not
approve of, ignore, or remain silent about illegal or uncivilized activities if
they observe them in their surroundings. They should discourage such behaviour
and report genuine concerns through lawful channels. Protecting the community’s
moral integrity is an act of faith as well as a civic responsibility. They also
need to be vocal in expressing opposition to terrorist acts, especially when engaging
with members of other communities.
Terrorist organizations often
rely on narratives of injustice, exploitation, or inequality faced by Muslims.
Even when these issues are exaggerated or manipulated, they become powerful
tools for radicalisation. Owing to community cohesion, many Muslim citizens
endorse these narratives knowingly or unknowingly to varying degrees, which can
inadvertently aid terrorist organizations. Therefore, Muslims should avoid
endorsing sweeping narratives that portray the community as universally
oppressed or targeted. Such broad, emotive narratives create an ecosystem of
grievance that radical groups exploit to recruit vulnerable individuals.
Community leadership needs to guide youth toward constructive citizenship,
critical thinking, and confidence. It should help remove fear, resentment, or a
sense of isolation that could otherwise benefit terrorist networks.
After every incident, Muslim
citizens need to reflect individually and as a community to identify the
narratives and patterns contributing to radicalisation. They need to take
precautionary steps that are visible to members of other communities. Conducting
awareness programmes within the community, engaging with local authorities, and
maintaining open communication with other communities can help reduce
misunderstanding and strengthen social cohesion.
India is a unique country that
nourishes diversity in the truest sense. The Indian Constitution provides
security, justice, and equality to all citizens without regard to religious
identity. Indian ethos has enabled the implementation of the spirit of the
Constitution on the ground. The majority of Indians have imbibed values that
naturally accommodate broader civilizational ideals. In such an environment, it
should not be difficult to end Islamic radicalism.
