Understanding the Changing Face of Extremist Violence

A RAND study titled "Changing Face of Hate: Domestic Extremist Violence" highlights significant changes in domestic terrorism and violent extremism, emphasising the need for law enforcement to understand these changes to prepare for future threats.

Historical Context of Extremism in India

India’s history with extremism is deeply intertwined with its socio-political and economic transformations.
From early post-Independence challenges to contemporary threats, extremism in India has evolved across ideological lines, reflecting domestic and global trends.

Early Post-Independence Period

Communal Violence

India’s partition in 1947 resulted in widespread communal violence and mass displacement.
Religious tensions continued to simmer, occasionally erupting into large-scale violence.

Left-Wing Extremism

A revolutionary Communist movement aimed to destabilise the fledgling Indian state.
Key examples:
- Tebhaga Movement (Bengal, 1946–47): Peasant-led uprising demanding a larger share of agricultural produce.
- Telangana Rebellion (1946–51): Armed revolt against landlords in Hyderabad State.

Naxalite Movement (1960s–1990s)

Origin: Naxalbari (West Bengal, 1967) sparked a violent Communist uprising advocating for land redistribution.
Ideological Appeal:
- Initially attracted the youth, students, and intellectuals with its revolutionary rhetoric.
- Spread to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and tribal areas in Central India.
Decline:
- Movement fragmented into factions.
- Descended into mindless violence, losing mass support.
Contemporary Influence: Though diminished, Naxalism persists in tribal belts (e.g., Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand).

Rise of Ethno-Religious Extremism

Punjab Insurgency (1980s–1990s)

Demand for an independent Khalistan led to violent militancy.
Key events:
- Operation Blue Star (1984): Military operation to neutralise militants in the Golden Temple.
- Assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1984) and subsequent anti-Sikh riots.

Northeast Insurgencies

Rooted in ethnic, cultural, and political grievances.
Groups such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led armed struggles.
Demands: Autonomy, secession, and protection of indigenous identities.

Kashmir Insurgency (1989–Present)

Triggered by political discontent and external interference (Pakistan).
Transitioned from a political movement to violent militancy.
Key events:
- Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits (1990).
- Rise of Jihadist elements post-2001.

Shift from Left-Wing to Right-Wing Extremism

The political landscape has shifted from left-wing ideologies to a rise in right-wing philosophies across Europe and beyond:

Xenophobia in Germany: Increasingly polarised domestic politics have led to xenophobic sentiments.
France’s Political Dilemma: France faces uncertainty regarding concessions to right-wing factions, risking its liberal values.
Brexit as a Catalyst: The 2016 Brexit vote is viewed as an early indicator of the rightward shift in European politics.

Right-Wing Extremism

Factors Contributing to Right-Wing Extremism: Global

Several factors have contributed to the rise of right-wing extremism:

The Year 2001 as a Turning Point: September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, orchestrated by Al-Qaeda, led to a large-scale mobilisation of resources and strategies to counter Jihadist extremism in the West.
- However, this mobilisation also had unintended consequences:
  - It created a fractured threat landscape, where the focus on external Jihadist groups overshadowed growing domestic right-wing extremist threats.
  - Governments faced immense pressure to address both external and internal security threats, which strained their capacities.
Role of Misinformation and Disinformation: Misinformation (spreading false information unintentionally) and disinformation (deliberate manipulation of facts) became key tools for extremist groups.
- These elements were exploited to amplify grievances, spread propaganda, and recruit sympathisers.
- Right-wing extremist ideologies, often cloaked as patriotic or anti-establishment movements, thrived on these narratives, targeting vulnerable groups.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic acted as a catalyst for radicalization, intensifying existing trends:
- Social isolation during lockdowns increased people’s online activity, making them more susceptible to extremist propaganda.
- Economic hardships and unproven conspiracy theories about the virus created fertile ground for anger and distrust.
- Right-wing groups exploited these grievances to mobilise followers, framing the pandemic as a government overreach or a conspiracy.
Cross-Pollination of Right-Wing Extremist Ideologies: In recent years, there has been a global exchange of right-wing extremist ideas through:
- Online platforms and social media, where groups from different countries share tactics, rhetoric, and strategies.
- Movements that draw inspiration from international figures or events, leading to a networked form of extremism.
- This cross-pollination has intensified violence and radicalization, making right-wing extremism a global issue rather than a localised one.

Hindutva Movements

Growth of religious nationalism, occasionally leading to violence against minorities.
Examples:
- Babri Masjid demolition (1992) and subsequent communal riots.
- Rise of vigilante groups targeting interfaith relationships and dietary practices (e.g., cow protection).

Militant Islamist Responses

Post-Babri tensions saw a rise in Islamist groups like the Indian Mujahideen.
2008 Mumbai Attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba demonstrated cross-border implications of religious extremism.
In India, there were significant protests, especially in southern states, against government actions targeting organisations like:
- Popular Front of India (PFI): Accused of promoting extremist ideologies under the guise of community welfare.
- Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI): Alleged to have links with extremist elements and accused of fostering divisive narratives.
These organisations were termed right-wing extremist Muslim bodies, indicating a religious-nationalist ideology distinct from traditional leftist movements.