Integrating Indian Muslims with the Indian Society

The father of slain terrorist Saifullah, Sartaj, has refused to accept his son’s body, saying that “a traitor cannot be a son.” Saifullah was killed in Lucknow’s Thakurganj after a 11 hour counter terror operation. He was suspected to be linked with the blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain train yesterday, police said. His father has now disowned him and has stated that he will not cremate his body. Speaking to reporters, Saifullah's father Sartaj emphasized, "We are Indian citizens. I was born here, my ancestors were born here." He said he had heard this morning about the death of his son in the encounter. He further said that his son left home two and a half months ago. He was not happy with his ways and then there was an altercation between us before he fled home. The last time I spoke to him was last Monday when he had said that his VISA was ready and that he was leaving for Saudi Arabia soon.

Mr Sartaj act is appreciable and is logically the best decision.However instead of talking about this singular incident we must address the larger issue of so called Islamic radicalization of Indian Muslims. It's easy to point out flaws and criticize government policies. The harder part is to offer an implementable road map to solve the delicate problem of Islamic radicalism in India. The policy solution, however, can only come once the right diagnosis has been made and the roots of radicalism understood. I feel that home-grown radicalization arises from an identity crisis, one that starts in the household and leaves some Indian Muslims unable to integrate into mainstream society. Such Muslims, I argue, are most likely to fell prey to radical Islamist propaganda through social media or through the physical networks of radical organizations.

The issue of countering radicalism, then, is really about how to integrate Indian Muslims into present mainstream society. My major criticism of the present Indian Government's counter-radicalization strategy has been its 'religious' nature. Trying desperately to find a religious solution to a problem that has social roots is likely going to fail. The Indian Government has been trying to fix Islam instead of fixing a small percentage of Muslims in India at risk of radicalization due to their upbringing and exposure to a misinterpreted violent ideology.
This unconscious Islamisation by the Indian Government, emerging from misdirected advice from Muslim community leaders, has led to an undue overdeveloped focus on religion. For instance, if the aim is to integrate Indian Muslims into society, then focusing on their personal issues and discussing nonstop in media just pushes and further traps Muslims into their own community, leaving them feeling more isolated in India than ever before. What, then, is the solution? 

For one thing, specialized campaigns and programs are needed for Muslim community leaders and parents whose very teachings their kids in their early years have a major impact on how well these kids fit into Indian mainstream society. Influencing Muslim parents' approach to raising their children will have a long-term sustainable impact on de-radicalization.

Second, having talked to young Indian Muslims, both men and women, I would argue that the permanent solution for India's growing Islamic radicalization problem is a non-religious response based on sports, entertainment, and exposure (SEE). Why these three areas? Because not only will they get the quickest integration and de-radicalization results, but most young Muslims will willingly participate.

Government investment in building sports facilities for Muslim youth to support integration with the larger Indian population would be a tremendous start. Spending on creating local Muslim cricket/Hockey/Soccer leagues, and having them play against universities or State and Central level tournaments is the sort of exposure that will go a long way to taking hundreds of Young Muslim enthusiasts away from the risks of radicalization. It will also help other Communities overcome their prejudices against Muslims.

Second, with the growing interest of youth in media, Government spending on providing a platform for Muslim youth who have a taste for such pursuits will get a great response. Recognizing Muslim talent through a film competition, for example, would generate far more involvement from Muslim youth, and better results.

Third and most important is exposure to government services. The majority of Indian Muslims come from financially poor background, where a government job is considered the most sought after job – a symbol of respect and acceptance in society. The British Empire in India offered government positions to locals in order to pacify any revolt against them, and it worked. Given the negligible presence of Muslims in government and law enforcement, will have an overwhelming and permanent impact on young Indian Muslims.

Two crucial factors underpin this SEE strategy, which together can have a major impact on de-radicalization: first, by focusing on non-religious solutions, it neutralizes the overdeveloped emphasis on religion; and second, it provides hope and acceptance to Muslims through programs tailored to their interests and culture – in short, it offers a chance to excel in Indian society.

If the Indian Government can create this sense of opportunity for Indian Muslims, it will go a long way to not just assimilating the Muslim community but making it a highly productive part of society and retain the plural fiber of the great country.