Definition
- Radicalisation refers to the process of an individual’s transformation from a moderate, law-abiding citizen into an active, anti-state, violent extremist.
Types of Radicalisation:
- Right-Wing Extremism: It is characterized by the violent defence of racial, ethnic, or pseudo-national identity, and is also associated with radical hostility towards state authorities, minorities, immigrants, and/or left-wing political groups. For example – mob lynching, cow vigilantism – Dadri case
- Politico-Religious Extremism: It results from a political interpretation of religion and the defence, by violent means, of a religious identity perceived to be under attack. For example – the Popular Fund of India.
- Left-Wing Extremism: It focuses primarily on anti-capitalist demands and calls for the transformation of political systems considered responsible for producing social inequalities, and that may ultimately employ violent means to further its cause.
Factors Behind Radicalisation:
- Individual socio-psychological factors, which include grievances and emotions such as alienation and exclusion, anger and frustration and a strong sense of injustice.
- Socio-economic factors, which include social exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination (real or perceived), limited education or employment etc.
- Political factors, which include weak and non-participatory political systems lacking good governance and regard for civil society.
- Social media, which provide connectivity, virtual participation and an echo-chamber for like-minded extremist views, accelerates the process of radicalisation. For example – Spread of fake news