India marked its 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023. While sporadic unrest orchestrated by known suspects was anticipated, a disturbing video from West Bengal drew public attention. The video depicted a young teenager climbing a building with both the Indian tricolour and a saffron Hindu flag displayed. The scene was rife with commotion and agitation. Some individuals urged the child to descend, warning of potential legal consequences, while a woman dressed in the style of a Bangladeshi Muslim encouraged his actions.
The minor proceeded to remove the Hindu flag and then took down and discarded the Indian tricolour. He also tore down other posters from the building. This incident occurred in Basirhat, West Bengal, an area recognized for its Muslim majority and reportedly a presence of Bangladeshi undocumented immigrants. The parliamentary representative for this region is Nusrat Jahan, a Muslim leader.
In a separate incident in Pakistan, a group of Muslims attacked and set fire to Christian residences and churches, alleging blasphemy. Among the crowd, several minors wearing skull caps were seen advocating the beheading of Christians accused of blasphemy. This phenomenon of minors engaging in violent behaviour fueled by Islamic teachings is not isolated and has been observed in various Islamic societies. Lately, South Asian countries have witnessed a rise in the involvement of Muslim minors in acts of jihad violence. Their age often shields them from severe consequences, and even if apprehended, they receive support from apologists claiming their youthful ignorance. Legal penalties for such actions are typically lenient, and upon release, these individuals reintegrate into society.
In India, there have been instances of politicians rewarding young criminals upon release, further emboldening them. This impunity has led to disturbing outcomes. For example, a Hindu photographer was fatally stabbed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend, including her minor brother. Similarly, a young Muslim participant in a rally issued death threats to Hindus and Christians, provoking debate but facing little repercussion. This pattern of inaction encourages more indoctrinated children to partake in violence, such as pelting stones at Hindus during religious events or attacking security personnel in conflict-prone areas.
The indoctrination of children into jihadist ideology often begins early, facilitated by Islamic religious schools (madrassas) and influences from radical instructors. Bangladeshi instructors holding Indian identity documents have contributed to the indoctrination of Muslim students. While authorities are aware of these practices, addressing them within private homes remains challenging.
Cases like a young child expressing hatred towards the country's prime minister illustrate the deep-seated nature of such indoctrination, sometimes stemming from familial influences. The lack of consequences for such incidents raises concerns about the safety of innocent children who interact with those harbouring such extremist mindsets.
Leaders of countries grappling with the growing indoctrination of young individuals into jihad ideologies must confront this issue to prevent future tragedies. Ignoring this trend could have dire consequences and jeopardise the safety of their populations. The present-day minor engaged in jihadist activities could evolve into a significant threat if left unchecked.
Comments