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View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India
View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India

News18

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • News18

View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India

The time has come for assertive, inclusive interventions not just by the state but by civil society and the Muslim community itself In the intricate mosaic of India's religious landscape, Muslim organisations play a significant role in shaping identities, beliefs, and communal behaviour. Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami and Tablighi Jamaat have historically positioned themselves as Islamic revivalist movements. While they publicly disavow violence, concerns are growing over how their ideological frameworks and influence networks may be radicalising segments of Muslim youth in India. This article aims to unpack the mechanisms, narratives, and patterns through which these groups operate and how their doctrines can tilt toward exclusivism, isolationism, and even extremism. The Ideological Roots: From Spiritual Revival to Political Agenda The Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), founded in 1941 by Abul A'la Maududi, is not merely a religious movement. It is based on a political interpretation of Islam, aiming to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia. While banned in Jammu & Kashmir, JeI continues to operate across India, student organisations, and civil society under various names and fronts. Tablighi Jamaat, on the other hand, is ostensibly apolitical and inward-looking, focusing on personal piety and Islamic evangelism (dawah). But its brand of Islam, rigid, Deobandi-based, and anti-modernist, discourages pluralism and instils a worldview where religious identity trumps national identity. It is often accused of building echo chambers that alienate youth from mainstream society. Though the two groups differ in method, JeI being politically charged and Tablighi Jamaat spiritually intense, both promote binary, us-versus-them narratives that breed alienation. Campus Footprints and Student Influence One of Jamaat-e-Islami's most visible arms is its student wing. While presenting itself as a platform for education and social justice, the student wing often mirrors Jamaat's ideological undertones, opposing secularism, glorifying Islamic governance, and reinforcing communal identity. Across campuses in Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi, JeI's student wing has cultivated an ideologically regimented cadre that sees modern politics and Western liberalism as antithetical to Islam. These young recruits are often introduced subtly to anti-democratic ideas under the guise of 'intellectual Islam". Tablighi Jamaat, meanwhile, maintains a low-profile but deep network of young followers who are trained through 'chillas" (40-day missionary tours). Youths are encouraged to abandon regular education or jobs, isolate themselves from 'non-Islamic environments", and dedicate their lives to purifying the ummah. The emphasis on blind obedience, uniform dress codes, and rigid gender segregation is an early form of ideological radicalisation. Echo Chambers, Alienation, and Gateway Radicalism Both groups are non-violent in stated strategy, but that does not mean they are non-radical. The radicalisation process is not always about violence; it's about the creation of a mindset that normalises separatism, rejection of constitutional values, and distrust of the 'other". Many young Muslims drawn to these groups begin to question: In doing so, a space is created where more radical elements can easily recruit. Indeed, various intelligence reports in the past have noted that individuals involved in terror plots or who later joined ISIS had a background of association with such ideological groups. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir, JeI has been accused of ideological indoctrination that later led to militancy. While the group denies links to terror outfits, its literature often paints the Indian state as an aggressor. Digital Propaganda and Transnational Influence Modern radicalisation doesn't need a mosque. It needs a smartphone, an internet connection, and unregulated content. Both JeI and Tablighi networks have been quick to adapt. WhatsApp groups pushing Maududi's or Zakir Naik's content, YouTube sermons discouraging integration into the Indian mainstream, and Telegram channels sharing conspiracy theories against the Indian state: these mediums are now fertile ground for soft radicalisation. Moreover, both movements have strong transnational linkages. JeI receives ideological backing from Pakistan-based networks, and Tablighi Jamaat is tightly connected with counterparts in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and even the UK—countries where their role in promoting extremism has come under scrutiny. Need for Counter-Narratives and Engagement Outlawing or banning these groups alone will not suffice. What's needed is a robust civil society response that includes: Promotion of inclusive Islamic scholarship (Sufi, interfaith dialogue) Mentorship for Muslim youth through cultural and academic platforms Monitoring of digital propaganda without targeting communities indiscriminately. State engagement with moderate Muslim voices, especially at local and university levels. Government agencies must distinguish between legitimate religious expression and ideological grooming. Muslim communities, in turn, must introspect and challenge hardline dominance in their educational, social, and cultural spaces. The silent radicalisation of Indian Muslim youth through ideological soft power, whether via Jamaat-e-Islami's politicised Islam or Tablighi Jamaat's rigid piety, poses a serious challenge to the ideals of secularism and national integration. The time has come for assertive, inclusive interventions not just by the state but by civil society and the Muslim community itself. The battle against radicalism cannot be won in courts or police stations alone. It must be fought in minds, in classrooms, and on digital platforms through reform, reason, and responsible leadership. view comments First Published: July 03, 2025, 23:26 IST News opinion View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Hundreds of books seized from stores in Kashmir as Indian police crack down on dissent
Hundreds of books seized from stores in Kashmir as Indian police crack down on dissent

The Guardian

time19-02-2025

  • Politics
  • The Guardian

Hundreds of books seized from stores in Kashmir as Indian police crack down on dissent

Police in Kashmir have raided dozens of bookstores and seized more than 650 books as part of crackdowns on dissent in the Indian region. Most of the titles were written by Abul A'la Maududi, a prominent 20th-century Islamic scholar who founded Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamic organisation banned in Kashmir. Raids began last Friday in Srinagar, Kashmir's main city, before moving to other parts of the disputed region. In a statement, Srinagar police said that the raids were 'based on credible intelligence regarding the clandestine sale and distribution of literature promoting the ideology of a banned organisation', and that 668 books were seized in all. The books were mostly published by Markazi Maktaba Islami Publishers, based in New Delhi, which is affiliated with the Indian branch of Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the largest religious and political organisations in the Indian subcontinent. 'These books were found to be in violation of legal regulations, and strict action is being taken against those found in possession of such material,' police said. In February 2019, Indian authorities banned Jamaat-e-Islami, declaring it an 'unlawful association', for five years. In August that year, Narendra Modi's government scrapped the region's partial autonomy. The repression of human rights in the region has since escalated. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders said that the seizure of books 'is unjust, unconstitutional, and a violation of fundamental rights', adding that the books are 'legally published' in Delhi. 'If the government has any security concerns, we are fully prepared to cooperate with any investigation.' 'The current approach appears arbitrary and unfair, as it does not even fall within the scope of a legitimate investigation', they added. 'Instead, it reflects an attempt to marginalise us.' The Kashmir conflict began after India gained independence from Britain in 1947, and both India and Pakistan claimed the region. For decades, insurgent groups have fought Indian rule, and tens of thousands have been killed in the conflict. When armed rebellion broke out in 1989, Kashmir's largest militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, declared it was Jamaat-e-Islami's military wing. However, in a petition against the 2019 ban, Jamaat-e-Islam claimed it had 'never supported violence' and 'never been associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen'. In February last year, the ban on the organisation was extended for a further five years. Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion Umar Farooq, Kashmir's chief cleric, said in a statement that 'cracking down on Islamic literature' is 'condemnable' and 'ridiculous'. 'Policing thought by seizing books is absurd to say the least, in the time of access to all information on virtual highways'.

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