The Islamic State (IS) has been in the news for the past seven years for unleashing terror and bloodshed. More recently, Khalid Masood ploughed his SUV into pedestrians on West Minister bridge in London and stabbed a policeman to death inside the British parliament; attempts were made to drive into the crowd in Brussels and Antwerp and blow up Dhaka airport. Nearer home, temples in Ratlam and Himachal Pradesh were defaced, railway tracks blown up in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and threats issued to destroy the Taj Mahal.
The question is: why these men get so diabolical and swear by the IS’ archaic agenda of forming a State, based on the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam? The answer lies in the simplicity of IS’ tantalising offers. It seeks to establish a Caliphate that will comprise the entire land mass on the globe and will have only citizens who profess Islam. Only Islamic values will be taught and Christians, Jews, Shias and all non-Muslim tribes will be wiped out. IS further claims that the process for creation of Caliphate has begun. A fierce battle is on, as the advent of the Day of Judgement looms over and establishment of the promised Islamic State looks imminent.
It has called upon Muslims to join in its apocalyptic war in Syria and Iraq to resettle the abode of Islam once for all. Like hundred others from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, misguided youths from Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad and Karnataka also bought this dream and left to join the IS war. The talk of Caliphate’s global supremacy is delusional. Despite all propaganda, IS cannot win final war on its terms even in majority of Muslim countries. But it does have the potential to destabilise and brainwash individuals to carry out terrorist attacks. Its appeal remains mesmerising for those who feel deprived and wronged, for it gives them an opportunity to avenge their sufferings. India need not be alarmed but it must be vigilant.
A Caliphate in Delhi is a zero possibility. The IS version of Islam is anathema to the overwhelming majority of Muslims. Only the fringe elements of Muslims are ready to lay down their lives on its behalf. Since exploitation is ingrained in our system, there will always be individuals who will exaggerate their alienation and get swayed by ideologies that motivate them to avenge injustice. Naxalites, Northeast insurgents and Kashmiri militants tread the same path. The pragmatic way to counter the IS influence is to step up vigilance over the activities of its recruits.
Intelligence agencies, NIA and the state police have to scotch their plans in the bud. In our case, the challenge of containing IS is a little more daunting. ISI, our umbilical bete noire, is always ready to make a common cause with the IS and connect it to the terrorist groups in Pakistan. Bangladesh, which is battling against IS marauders, does not have the capacity to prevent their exfiltration to India. It is, therefore, imperative that India tightens its borders along Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. More importantly, politicians must avoid debating crime committed by IS volunteers. Likes of Mamata Banerjee, Asaduddin Owaisi and Digvijay Singh need to understand that what is at stake is not votes but the security of the nation.
If suspects are picked up wrongly, the courts will rectify the mistakes unless they have no faith in our legal system. You do not hear irresponsible political voices from Bangladesh, Britain, Belgium, France, Germany or the US, claiming victimisation of Muslims. The task before the Indian security and intelligence agencies is, therefore, much more difficult than their US, UK or French counterparts. Not only have they to act against IS suspects but also manage their proxies in the media, political parties and social activists. The writer is former Special Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing