Editorial
Today, on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, the global community is compelled to reflect not only on militant movements operating at the fringes of society, but also on the more insidious form of extremism that takes root when state power itself is infused with exclusionary ideology.
India, once celebrated as a pluralistic republic and a living example of secular democracy now finds itself under intense international and domestic scrutiny. The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Hindutva-driven political project has transformed the social, political, and moral landscape of the country in ways that raise serious questions about the future of India’s democracy.
For decades after independence, India’s identity rested on a delicate balance of religious diversity, constitutional secularism, and democratic norms. That balance has been steadily eroded. Extremism, when promoted or tolerated by the state, does not merely radicalize individuals; it reshapes institutions, normalizes prejudice, and legitimizes social exclusion. Under the BJP’s prolonged rule, extremist narratives rooted in religious majoritarianism have increasingly defined public discourse, policy priorities, and governance practices.
The consequences for minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians have been severe. Lynching incidents linked to cow vigilantism, discriminatory citizenship laws, targeted demolitions of homes and places of worship, and the routine stigmatization of entire communities as “anti-national” have created an atmosphere of fear and alienation. Social justice, economic inclusion, and interfaith harmony, the very foundations of sustainable peace appear increasingly absent from India’s social and legal systems. Instead, selective application of the law and the politicization of state institutions have become defining features of governance.
Few events symbolize this trajectory more starkly than the Babri Masjid episode. Even 34 years after the mosque’s demolition in 1992 by Hindu extremists, the rhetoric surrounding it continues to inflame communal divisions. Recent provocative statements attributed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declaring that Babri Masjid will never be rebuilt and celebrating the construction of a Ram temple on its ruins have reopened old wounds. Thousands were killed or injured in the riots that followed the demolition, yet the political leadership shows little remorse. Instead, the episode is repeatedly invoked as a political trophy, reinforcing the message that majoritarian sentiment overrides constitutional guarantees.
This normalization of exclusionary rhetoric has broader implications. Experts note that attacks on minorities and places of worship increasingly occur under the cover of ideological legitimacy. What was once considered fringe extremism has seeped into the mainstream, leaving what many describe as a “black mark” on India’s democratic image. Protests by Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and other marginalized groups against perceived injustices are often met with heavy-handed policing rather than dialogue. International bodies have taken note as well. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has repeatedly expressed concern over the erosion of religious freedoms in India, warning that systematic discrimination risks becoming entrenched.
Extremism, however, is not limited to identity politics alone. It is intertwined with governance failures and economic discontent. India is currently witnessing widespread protests across the country, driven by public frustration with what many see as the Modi government’s incompetence, mismanagement, and anti-people policies. On the call of central trade unions, nationwide strikes and demonstrations—described as a “Bharat Bandh” by Indian media have disrupted transport, health services, education, and essential utilities.
According to reports, hundreds of millions of workers across hundreds of districts have been mobilized against policies perceived as anti-worker and pro-corporate. Rising taxes, inflation, unemployment, and shrinking social protections have compounded the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. Experts argue that the promise of “Shining India” stands in sharp contrast to the lived reality of many Indians, who now face economic insecurity and declining public services.
The link between economic marginalization and ideological extremism is not accidental. When governments fail to deliver inclusive growth, they often resort to identity-based mobilization to deflect accountability. The BJP’s reliance on a Hindu nationalist narrative has served precisely this function—channeling public anger away from governance failures and toward vulnerable communities. In doing so, it has deepened social polarization and weakened the social contract.
Violent extremism thrives in environments where injustice is normalized and dissent is delegitimized. India’s current trajectory illustrates how democratic backsliding does not always occur through abrupt ruptures; it often advances through incremental changes harsh laws, biased enforcement, inflammatory rhetoric, and the silencing of critics. The cumulative effect is a society less tolerant of difference and more accepting of coercion.
On this International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, India’s experience serves as a cautionary tale. Extremism cannot be defeated by rhetoric alone, nor can it be selectively condemned. It requires a recommitment to constitutional values, equal citizenship, and the protection of minority rights. Without restoring social justice, economic inclusion, and interfaith harmony, no society, however, large or historically rich can claim to be secure or stable.
India stands at a crossroads. The path it chooses will determine whether it reclaims its pluralistic legacy or continues down a road where extremism, once unleashed, reshapes the nation beyond recognition.
