Dr Adnan Ali Sarkar, a well-known anesthesiologist in Pune, was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency on 27 July following raids and seizure of allegedly “incriminating materials” related to ISIS. Sarkar, a prominent figure in Pune’s medical circle, completed his MBBS and MD degrees from B.J. Medical College and earned a gold medal. He had all the opportunities available to a citizen. So where did things go wrong?
It is often argued that radicalisation thrives in environments where individuals experience social exclusion, economic marginalisation, and political grievances. These factors create fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take hold. But Sarkar did not face such circumstances. He was living what many would call a ‘dream life’.
Clearly, injustice being a driving force behind an individual’s turn toward extremism doesn’t always hold true, and Sarkar’s case is a testament to that. A person can enjoy a life of blessings and yet gravitate toward radicalism. Not to mention that many individuals face severe injustices and dire circumstances but don’t tread such a path.
Now, it is possible that even successful people like Sarkar may hold grievances or perceive themselves as having suffered injustices, whether personal, societal, or political. But such grievances stem from the ‘victimhood’ narrative, which consistently portrays one community as a victim while nourishing Islamist ideology. There’s also the possibility that religious convictions can be manipulated and misconstrued, leading accomplished individuals to believe that they bear a religious obligation to engage in extremist pursuits.
Islamic teachings can have various interpretations. Rather than outrightly saying that ISIS members aren’t true followers of the faith, we should acknowledge that they adhere to their own, distinctive interpretation of Islam, though not a mainstream one. It would be wrong to say that the Islamic State has “nothing to do with Islam” — such labelling echoes the strategy of takfirism or ex-communication deployed by ISIS, where they declare everyone who doesn’t share their interpretation of the religion as non-Muslims.
The majority of Muslims around the world reject the ideology and actions of ISIS. But there are those who betray their nation by aligning themselves with extremist groups like ISIS, which opposes the very concept of a nation-state and dreams of an Islamic state that transcends national boundaries. Muslim-majority nations like Saudi Arabia dismiss ISIS as a khawarij or deviant group. If the NIA’s claims against Sarkar are proven to be true, then it would suggest that the radical Islamist ideology of ISIS has managed to infiltrate into India. That would indeed be a deeply concerning development.
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Reject radicalism, embrace ‘wataniya’
Tackling an ideology that poses a threat to India requires us to engage in an ideological battle. Counterterrorism expert and The Milli Chronicle founder Zahack Tanvir says it’s crucial to recognise that indoctrination doesn’t occur overnight; it develops gradually. At the core is the belief that a Khalifah or Caliph holds magical solutions, promising to rectify all issues within the Muslim world. Individuals affiliated with such an ideology remain discontent with governing bodies, forbid obedience to non-Muslim authorities, and consider Muslim governments insufficiently Islamic.
Today, any Muslim opposing these ideas is labelled a ‘scholar for dollar’ or ‘government-appointed Muslim’.
The remedy must arise from within Muslim society. Scholars and ulema hold the responsibility to engage with and educate the youth about the significance of wataniya or patriotism. That includes embracing nationalism, prioritising the country’s interests, and aligning existing institutions with the establishment.
Madrasa authorities and mosque officials should actively monitor Islamic teachings and ideology, and assume accountability for them. Consistent and appropriate educational initiatives should be implemented to enlighten young minds about the perils of associating with terrorist groups like Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIS.
Another crucial task is to counter the tendency to generalise individuals belonging to a particular community and combat the victimhood mindset perpetuated by the radical Left. Just as sweeping generalisations about Muslims need to be rejected, broadly categorising Hindus for the actions of a bigoted few should also be shunned.
Sarkar’s arrest suggests there is a need to address the issue of radicalisation in Muslim societies. While the NIA is yet to arrive at its findings, it must be remembered that the reasons for joining any extremist group are varied and often interplay with each other. Countering this phenomenon requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses psychological, socio-political, and ideological factors while promoting inclusivity, education, and community engagement.
Amana Begam Ansari is a columnist and TV news panelist. She runs a weekly YouTube show called ‘India This Week by Amana and Khalid’. She tweets @Amana_Ansari. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)