Centre May Clear Policy to Counter Radicalisation Soon

The Union home ministry is expected to clear the decks for framing India’s first policy to counter radicalisation under the next BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, which is likely to retain the focus on national security, according to people aware of the matter.

The new Cabinet Committee on Security is likely to take up a proposal in this regard along with other issues, government officials told ET. The proposal talks about the role assigned to central ministries in countering Islamic radicalisation among youths, they said.

Central ministries such as those of human resources, culture and defence will be involved in taking anti-radicalisation measures, said officials.

The proposed policy has been under discussion for the past few years, but it could not be implemented owing to opposition from various quarters including state governments.

In its election manifesto, the BJP had declared national security to be its topmost priority and announced “zero tolerance towards terrorism”.

“We have been witnessing spread of jihadi ideology using technology. Over 100 youths have been arrested by NIA (National Investigation Agency) for being influenced by the Islamic State ideology,” said a government official. “The blasts in Sri Lanka, for which IS claimed responsibility, are a case in point. Pakistan-based militant groups are luring youths in Kashmir. We have been working on countering IS ideology but there is no uniformity.”

Besides, the home ministry will have to immediately deal with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. The final NRC list is likely to come out on July 31, as mandated by the Supreme Court, after which the Centre will have to find a mechanism to deport those who are left out. Over four million were left out from the draft last year. One of the proposals being considered is to provide a work permit to those who are left out from the final list.

Source:ET

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