The International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed annually on August 21, serves as a solemn reminder of the suffering and devastation wrought by terrorism worldwide. This day not only honours the memories of those who have fallen victim to terrorist acts but also underscores the need for collective global efforts to combat the roots of radicalisation and terrorism.
India as the nation has always been at the forefront of the battle against terrorism, particularly Islamic terrorism, which has deeply affected the country, and the South Asia.
Radicalisation and Terrorism: The Menace in South Asia
South Asia has long been a breeding ground for radicalisation and terrorism, with its complex socio-political landscape, history and borders creating a volatile environment. The region has witnessed a steady rise in extremist ideologies. Among these, Jamaat-e-Islami has been the most destructive force, leading to widespread violence and instability.
The Role of Jamaat-e-Islami
One of the most significant players in the spread of radicalisation and terrorism in South Asia is the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), an Islamist terror organisation promoting terrorist activities across the region. Established in 1941 in British India, Jamaat-e-Islami has since expanded its influence across South Asia. After the partition of India, the organisation spearheaded as Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir where it has played a pivotal role in the propagation of radical Islamist ideology and the support of terrorist activities.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind: India banned JeI in February 2019 in the wake of the terror attack in Pulwama that claimed the lives of 40 paramilitary CRPF jawans.
Back then, the Government had detained over 350 leaders of the Jihadi terror outfit. Moreover, 70-Srinagar-based bank accounts were seized, assets worth Rs 52 crore were confiscated and action was initiated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Government crackdown had also affected the separatist organisation’s 400 schools, 350 mosques and 1000 seminaries across Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019 it was estimated that Jamaat-e-Islami has properties worth Rs 4,500 crores.
Notably, earlier this year on February 27, the Union Government extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami for another five years with immediate effect declaring it as an “unlawful association.”
The Government’s decision followed days after searches by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a terror funding case were conducted on the Jamaat-e-Islami unit in Kashmir. More than Rs 20 lakh and incriminating documents and digital devices relating to the activities of Jamaat and its affiliates were seized during the raids conducted in Srinagar, Jammu, Budgam, Kulgam and Anantnag.
Apart from the Islamisation of India’s educational institutions, the JeI Hind and its affiliated units in India have been holding events to radicalise Muslim youth and lure non-Muslims, particularly Hindu girls to Islam.
In March 2023, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind put out a poster stating that it was holding an “awareness program” for Muslims to make them “full Muslim”. The banner read, “‘poore ke poore Islam mein aa jao’ (turn fully to Islam)”. It is supposed to mean that Muslims who practice the faith but half-heartedly should embrace it fully and become ‘full Muslims’.
In October 2022, JeI Hind organised a get-together event for ‘non-Muslim’ girls in the Karimnagar area of Telangana. However, the Telangana Police refused to grant permission for the event after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) intervened in the matter.
The radical Islamist outfit had also supported AAP councillor Tahir Hussain who was arrested in connection with the murder of Intelligence Bureau offiecer Ankit Sharma during the anti-Hindu Delhi riots. During the 2019 elections, the Jihadi terror outfit banned under UAPA had issued appeals to Muslims to cast their vote for the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh.
Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir: Jamaat-e-Islami has been a major player in the radicalisation and destabilisation of Jammu & Kashmir. The region has been a focal point of Islamist terrorism since the late 1980s, with Jamaat playing a crucial role in the spread of Islamist ideology. The organisation has been instrumental in fostering a separatist movement in Kashmir, which has led to decades of violence and unrest.
It adheres to the teachings of Hasan Al Banna, Syed Qutb and Maulana Maududi which state that politics and society must be in line with Sharia. It backs Pakistan’s illegal claim to Kashmir. The Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest indigenous terrorist group in Kashmir was regarded as JeI’s military wing in the 1990s.
Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been responsible for countless attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the state, security forces from the which the region has suffered a lot. The Indian government has taken steps to curb the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir, including banning the organisation and arresting its leaders.
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh: In Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami has been involved in numerous acts of violence, including the 1971 Bengali Hindu genocide during the Liberation war. In Bangladesh it promotes the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law, and it has been accused of supporting terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite being banned in Bangladesh, the group continues to operate under different guises, spreading its radical agenda and undermining the country’s efforts to maintain peace and security.
The Bangladeshi branch of Jamaat is the one who played a vital role in forming the Pakistani army’s auxiliary forces, such as the Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the Peace Committee, which actively participated in atrocities against Bengali freedom fighters, especially Hindus. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu men, women, and children were massacred by JeI and its forces, while a large number of Hindu girls and women were raped.
The recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has also been fueled by Jamaat-e-Islami, despite being banned it continues to operate and spread chaos. Following the violent ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the Jamayt has unleashed terror on the streets of Bangladesh, particularly targeting minority communities, with Hindus bearing the brunt of the violence. Jamaat-e-Islami’s actions have once again highlighted its role as a major destabilizing force in the region.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan: In Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami has been a staunch supporter of terrorist groups operating in India , Afghanistan and Bangladesh. It has also been linked to the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other terror groups that have carried out numerous attacks in South Asia. Pakistan’s Government has often been criticised for its open support to Jamaat-e-Islami, which has allowed the Jamaat to operate freely despite its clear connections to terrorism.
Now, with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh, Jamaat has been gaining power on our Eastern border, New Delhi braces itself for an alarming rise in the risk of cross-border terrorism as well as a large influx of infiltrators , creating a humanitarian crisis as well as a security crisis on the border. Jamaat had been attempting to carry out terror attacks in India and it may try to smuggle Islamic terrorists in the garb of Hindu refugees fleeing persecution and furthering their agenda of Islamising India through radicalism and brainwashing.
India has consistently called for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism. India has also advocated for the designation of Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, given its support for groups like Jamaat-e-Islami.
Conclusion
The International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism serves as a reminder to address the underlying causes of terrorism and to honour the memory of those who have suffered due to this menace. For India, this day is a call to reaffirm its commitment to combating radicalisation and terrorism, particularly in the Sub-continent where the threat of Islamic terrorism is the most.
