ISIL ‘failed’ to penetrate India?

On 3^rd June, the Home Minister, Mr Rajnath Singh stated that the ISIL has failed to penetrate into India.

Background

 Mr Singh on Saturday claimed that the Indian government has been successful in warding off the challenges posed by the ISIS and India has been victorious in preventing the establishment of ISIS foothold. India has been home to the second largest Muslim population and yet ISIS has not been able to gain grounds in India. More than 90 ISIL sympathisers have been arrested and five members of the Indian mujahedeen community have been sentenced to death. However, the ruling BJP party is convinced that the ISIS has been trying to establish its foothold in Asia and would reach India soon. 

How far has ISIS reached Asia?

The Islamic state branching out from Syria and Iraq, has established its foothold in Southeast Asia. It has been successful in supplanting the established radical Islamist groups and linking with the local jihadist groups who have been for long battling with the government. Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia are becoming a new battle ground for the ISIS. Many people from these states have been reported joining battles in Syria and there return back to their states has increased fears that they could influence the local jihadist groups and from an ISIS zone in Southeast Asia. The ISIS has accepted pledges from various groups in the Philippines and has called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot go to Syria.

Across South Asia, complex strains of extremism are opening the way for the ISIS and destabilizing the government. The extremist groups are taking advantage of the tumultuous mix across south Asia to put down roots and attract new fighters to inflame the region.  ISIS militants are beginning to appear in Afghanistan and in Bangladesh, extremist ideologies are taking hold among educated youth connecting with ISIS. In 2015 the ISIS claimed responsibility of the major attack at the Dhaka cafe. Analyst believe that they pose a growing threat in Bangladesh which has been roiled by political turmoil and instability for many years.

Is ISIS growing in India?

Over the last couple of years the ISIS footprint has been discovered in India and the threat is seen to be growing. Many from the country are known to have fled to ISIS controlled countries. In 2016, the Kerala Chief Minister had announced that 21 youths had joined ISIS in Afghanistan. Also in 2014, a Hyderabad youth was arrested for running a prominent ISIS supporting handle in twitter. Many from Maharashtra are also reported to have travelled to Iraq to join ISIS. Kashmir has also been experiencing radicalization for long, with instances of ISIS flags flurrying.

Assessment

With the growth of ISIS in Southeast Asia and South Asia, it is feared that it could establish its foothold in India as well. 41% of India’s population is below 20 years. The ISIS trying to establish its base in India could attract the youth for the radicalization process. South India could be the network through which the ISIS could recruit, train and influence terrorist in India as many have been found there.

There could be penetration of ISIS in the defence sector from Kashmir as many come down to join this sector and most of them are ISIS sympathizers. Also with the growth of ISIS in the neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, India’s security is at threat.

Thus, the government needs to take safety measures in railways, roads and airports. Accurate screening should be implemented during custom checking, safety in schools and religious places. India needs to monitor cyber transactions and interaction to track any criminal activities. Those fleeing to Syria and Iraq should be watched out to prevent spread of radicalization in India.