Description

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Context:

A RAND study titled "Changing Face of Hate: Domestic Extremist Violence" highlighted evolving trends in domestic terrorism and violent extremism. It emphasized the need for law enforcement to understand these changes comprehensively to better prepare for future challenges.

Key highlights of the Study:

Study Findings (U.S. and Others)	Special relevance for the U.S. but applicable lessons for other countries. Constant changes among extremist groups. Law enforcement must understand these changes to prepare for the future.
India’s Post-Independence Challenges	Communal violence and communist movements marked the early years. Movements: Tebhaga Movement and Telangana Uprising (unsuccessful).
Right-Wing Spread in Europe	Increasing xenophobia in many countries, e.g., Germany. France’s "middle-of-the-road" reputation is affected by right-wing uncertainty. Brexit Referendum (2016) signaled a political shift to the right.
Right-Wing Extremism in the West	Post 2001: Rise in right-wing extremist sympathizers. Worsened by misinformation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Law Enforcement’s Role	Focus required on the rising threat of terror modules. Protests in India over actions against extremist groups. Understand right-wing tendencies in societal sections.

The Historical Context of Extremism in India

Naxalite Movement (1960s–1990s)	Origin: Began in Naxalbari, West Bengal (1967), advocating land redistribution. Appeal: Drew youth, students, and intellectuals; spread to West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Central India. Decline: Fragmented into factions, turned violent, lost mass support. Contemporary: Persists in tribal belts like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Punjab Insurgency (1980s–1990s)	Demand: Independent Khalistan. Key Events: Operation Blue Star (1984), assassination of PM Indira Gandhi, and anti-Sikh riots (1984).
Northeast Insurgencies	Roots: Ethnic, cultural, and political grievances. Key Groups: ULFA, NSCN. Demands: Autonomy, secession, and protection of indigenous identities.
Kashmir Insurgency (1989–Present)	Triggers: Political discontent, external interference by Pakistan. Transition: From political movement to militancy. Key Events: Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits (1990), rise of Jihadist elements post-2001.

The Rise of Right-Wing

Right-wing politics is the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position based on natural law, economics, authority, property, religion, biology, or tradition. Hierarchy and inequality may be seen as natural results of traditional social differences or competition in market economies.

Right-wing politics are considered the counterpart to left-wing politics, and the left–right political spectrum is the most common political spectrum. The right includes social conservatives and fiscal conservatives, as well as right-libertarians. "Right" and "right-wing" have been variously used as compliments and pejoratives describing neoliberal, conservative, and fascist economic and social ideas.

Aspect	Details
Global Spread of Right-Wing Ideologies	Right-wing extremism has become a global issue. Rise of populist parties in Europe, especially in Germany, France, and Italy. Movements like Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) exploit fears of immigration, economic instability, and loss of traditional values.
Catalysts for the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism	Economic instability post-2008 financial crisis and COVID-19. Exploitation of anxieties around immigration, minorities, and global elites. Cultural anxiety triggered by rapid social changes and diversity. Anti-immigrant sentiment intensified by large-scale migrations from conflict zones like Syria and Afghanistan. Immigrants are framed as threats to security, culture, and economy.

READ IN DETAIL

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/naxalism-in-india-19

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/urban-naxalism

https://iasgyan.in/ig-uploads/pdf/8175710.pdf

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Critically analyze the evolving nature of extremist violence. Discuss the challenges faced by security agencies in combating extremism and suggest strategies to counter its spread and impact. (250 words)