Fearing that terrorists lodged in jails may indoctrinate and radicalize ordinary prisoners, the Central Government has planned to set up exclusive jails around the country for convicted terrorists and those facing trials in terror cases. It is learnt that the idea of such jails was first mooted by Prime Minister Modi in 2010 when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. However, the current move by the NDA Government comes after the Intelligence agencies advised the Centre that the terrorists who are presently jailed along with other petty criminals are involved in radicalizing such youth and propagating the Jihadi agenda in a major way. It is the J & K Government which is set to make such Jihadi jails in Srinagar with assistance from the Centre exclusively for Indian and foreign terrorists.
It is well said and may be done in all over India. But global experts on terror do not agree to the view that such anti-radicalization measures would be able to stop the grand wave of terrorism spread by Al Qaeda and Islamic State today. Religious-faith based terrorism is more about crystallization of segregation, unemployment and a sustained sense of neglect felt by a minority community in a state, wherein the groups belonging to the majority communities continuously dominate political, economic and societal spheres for long years.
Seemingly, a sense of relative deprivation potentially contribute to the growth of religious terrorism, later spilling to radicalization of the young and educated poor who could be easily convinced. Keeping in mind the massive failure of global war on terrorism launched by the US in 2001, the Government must be cautious that separate ‘Jihadi jails’ may lead to further isolation of religious minorities. Of course such a move could stop efforts for indoctrination within the jails, but a slew of means like social media to religious congregation, apart from books and pamphlets would constantly invoke many for pursuing the ‘Holy Path’. Beyond the ‘Jihadi jails’, Government must consistently focus on all-inclusive programmes and better spreading a sense of security and feeling that all communities irrespective of religion, caste etc. are an integral part of national development. Thus, all of them have a responsibility to fight the ‘radical elements’ in their respective communities.
These kinds of anti-radicalization policies seem far from perfect. It may do too little to promote integration and it has been too quick to use such moves that may have a predictably inflammatory impact on a particular community and the whole debate around terrorism. It requires a more nuanced and responsible approach.