India’s Religious Extremism: The Guardian Report and Its Global Implications

Corruption Identified as a Breeding Ground for Extremism in the UK: The Guardian Report
On 27 January 2025, a significant report published in the renowned British newspaper, The Guardian, identified corruption as a breeding ground for extremism in the UK. The report, based on a government-commissioned review following last summer’s riots, also highlighted the influence of the “manosphere” and Hindu nationalism. The analysis of a leaked government report examined the growing wave of extremism and its impact on various political, social, and cultural groups, identifying misogyny, Hindu nationalism, and the “manosphere” as new sources of radicalisation.

The report was prepared in response to last summer’s riots, outlining factors that contribute to social instability and push individuals towards extremism. Leaked by British politician Yvette Cooper, the report identified Hindu nationalism, corruption, and the “manosphere” as key foundations for extremist growth. Yvette Cooper, a member of the Labour Party, has served as the MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley since 1997, previously representing Normanton, Pontefract, and Castleford. She has also been serving as Home Secretary since July 2024.

The Home Secretary’s “rapid analytical sprint” dismissed claims of “two-tier policing” as part of “far-right extremist narratives.” It argued that authorities should adopt a “behaviour-based and ideologically agnostic approach” to tackling extremism rather than focusing resources solely on “concern-based ideologies.”

The leaked report, provided to the right-leaning think tank Policy Exchange, emerged amid intense scrutiny of the government’s approach to extremism. On Sunday, it was revealed that counter-terrorism officers were uncertain whether Southport killer Axel Ruda-Kobana was “at risk of radicalisation.”

Cooper had conducted a rapid review in August. For the first time, Hindu nationalist extremism and Hindutva were recognised as concerning ideologies following the 2022 unrest in Leicester. In her report, she wrote that “Hindu nationalist extremism is an extremist ideology that advocates Hindu supremacy and seeks to transform India into an ethnoreligious Hindu state.” The report further stated, “Hindutva is a distinct political movement from Hinduism that promotes the supremacy of Indian Hindus and advocates for the establishment of a homogeneous Hindu Rashtra state in India.”

The report highlighted that “tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in the UK remain evident, and the Leicester incidents demonstrate how misinformation can influence offline actions.” Notably, five months prior, The Guardian had published a similar report identifying the causes and underlying factors of extremism.

This latest report challenges the traditional perception of extremism, arguing that extremism should not be viewed solely at an ideological level but should also be analysed in terms of behaviour and activities. The government maintains that preventing extremism requires focusing on “actions and behaviours rather than ideologies.” This suggests that extremism should not be assessed purely based on particular ideologies but also in relation to activities that could pose public harm.

The report identified misogyny as a key factor in radicalisation. The “manosphere” is an online subculture filled with misogynistic content, encompassing various communities, including men’s rights activists, pick-up artists, “men going their own way,” and incels (involuntary celibates). These groups propagate extreme anti-feminist ideologies and, in some cases, align with far-right extremist narratives.

According to the report, these groups oppose racial diversity and globalist ideologies. The “manosphere” contains narratives that isolate individuals, promote negative social attitudes, and encourage violent opposition to women’s rights. In particular, incels are noted for fostering a form of social isolation and perpetuating hostile views towards women.

The report also discussed Hindu nationalism and Hindutva as extremist threats. Following the 2022 Leicester riots, Hindu nationalism was recognised as an emerging ideology supporting the establishment of a Hindu state in India. The Hindutva movement is described as a political movement advocating Hindu dominance and the creation of a uniform Hindu state in India.

The report explicitly stated that Hindu nationalist extremism is increasing tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the UK, contributing to sectarian concerns. Additionally, it highlighted how “far-right extremist narratives” target globalisation and multiculturalism.

Regarding far-right extremism, the report asserted that it is no longer confined to small groups but has become part of “mainstream” discourse. Specifically, far-right narratives concerning immigration and policing are gaining public traction. These narratives claim that there is “two-tier policing,” where one group is treated differently from others.

The report recommended changes in government policy to adopt a more comprehensive and effective strategy for countering extremism. The government insists that extremism should be identified “not only through specific ideologies” but also based on “behaviours and actions.” This suggests that sources of social concern should not be ignored.

Another key recommendation in the report is the establishment of a “National Centre of Excellence” to monitor and counter protests and low-level extremist activities. The proposal emphasises the need for authorities to create “a central investigative unit for protests and low-level extremism” to curb extremist activities at an early stage.

Overall, this report highlights the growing threats of extremism in the UK and draws attention to new sources that could undermine social stability. Factors such as misogyny, Hindu nationalism, and the manosphere are impacting the social fabric of the UK and opening new pathways to extremism. There is a need for policy changes at the governmental level to effectively tackle these issues and promote social harmony.

In India, which claims to be the world’s largest democracy, attacks on religious minorities have become a serious issue. Under the rule of the BJP’s Hindu nationalist government, minorities face constant pressure and violence. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and other minorities not only endure social and economic discrimination but also continue to suffer from numerous organized attacks.

This analytical study sheds light on India’s painful history of religious fanaticism and extremism, where minority groups have continuously faced violence and oppression. The Gujarat riots, the massacre of Muslims, human rights violations in Kashmir, the demolition of Babri Masjid, and Operation Blue Star’s Sikh genocide all reveal India’s history of religious extremism.

Behind all these incidents lies the ideology of religious extremism, which not only targets minority communities in India but also affects India’s global image. The Indian government’s failure to address these issues effectively underscores the severity of religious fanaticism in the country, demanding a more active role from the international community to resolve these concerns.

Religious fanaticism and extremism in India have severely impacted various minority communities for decades. Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs have particularly been targeted, influencing both India’s internal politics and international reputation. The Gujarat riots, human rights violations in Kashmir, and other major communal conflicts paint a bleak picture of India’s history of religious intolerance.

In 1992, Hindu nationalists demolished the Babri Masjid in an attempt to erase Muslim religious identity and bring the dream of a “Hindu Rashtra” to reality. Thousands of Muslims were killed in the violence, and a sacred place of worship was destroyed. Since then, the Indian government has threatened to demolish over a thousand more mosques and replace them with Hindu temples. These actions not only violate religious freedoms but also challenge India’s principles of religious harmony. The government’s endorsement of such measures has fuelled communal tensions and incited severe hatred against the Muslim community.

The 2002 Gujarat riots remain one of India’s most infamous anti-Muslim pogroms. Thousands of Muslims were brutally massacred in an organized campaign, their properties set on fire, and their homes and businesses destroyed. These riots were not only a tragic humanitarian crisis for India’s Muslims but also exposed the global audience to the extent of violence inflicted upon minorities by religious extremists. Then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi was accused of allowing Hindu extremists free rein during the violence, a claim he has never explicitly denied.

Muslims suffered not only physical violence but also an assault on their ethnic and religious identity. Women were subjected to mass rape, children were murdered, and severe human rights violations were committed against the Muslim population. The government’s negligence and political support for extremist elements exacerbated the tragedy further.

On 18 February 2007, the Samjhouta Express, a peace train operating between India and Pakistan, was targeted in a well-planned bombing attack. Sixty-eight people, mostly Pakistani citizens, were killed. Indian Army officer Colonel Purohit and other Hindu extremists were accused of orchestrating the attack. Though Colonel Purohit was arrested and confessed to the crime, the Indian government, under pressure from nationalist groups, ultimately acquitted him. The police officer who had conducted a thorough investigation and arrested those responsible was later assassinated in a conspiracy, sending a clear message to law enforcement that any attempt to hold nationalist extremists accountable would have dire consequences.

This incident exposed the deep ties between Hindu extremism and Indian state institutions.
Human rights violations in Kashmir have never been thoroughly investigated, as the Indian government has consistently tried to suppress such cases. The suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms of Kashmiri Muslims continues, with their voices silenced at the international level. Over the past several decades, Indian security forces have committed widespread atrocities against Kashmiri Muslims, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and mass graves. Since 1989, more than 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed, thousands of women have been raped, and countless young men have been unlawfully detained and murdered. A U.S.-based Hindu scholar revealed dozens of mass graves in Kashmir, providing a detailed report on the atrocities. The increasing oppression by Indian security forces has been documented by various international human rights organizations, yet global powers remain silent.

The so-called champions of human rights, including the United States and the European Union, choose to remain silent because they view India as a strategic ally in countering China through the “Quad” alliance. Taking advantage of this geopolitical leverage, Narendra Modi and his government have continued their campaign of violence against minorities without fear of consequences. The lack of action against BJP-led atrocities has emboldened governmental institutions, making them reluctant to take any steps against extremist elements.

After the Gujarat riots, especially during Modi’s BJP government, the Christian community in India has also faced attacks. Several churches have been set on fire, nuns have been raped, and priests have been burned alive. In the 2008 Odisha riots, many Christians were killed, and their homes were destroyed. This aspect of religious extremism shows that violence against minority religions in India has spread on a large scale, not only affecting Muslims but also the Christian community. This cycle continues to this day, but Modi’s press does not publish such news, nor does the Modi government allow foreign journalists to visit these areas. If anyone manages to disguise themselves and reach these areas, BJP supporters do not hesitate to take their lives.
Another form of religious fanaticism has manifested in forced religious conversions in India.

Efforts are being made to forcibly convert Christians and Muslims to Hinduism, pressuring these minority groups to abandon their religion and embrace Hinduism. This not only violates India’s constitution but also goes against the fundamental values of religious freedom and human rights. Instead of conducting effective investigations and ensuring justice, the Indian government has suppressed these incidents and encouraged the ideologies behind these attacks, which has resulted in an increase in religious fanaticism and created an atmosphere of fear and panic among minority groups.

The history of Sikhs in India has also been affected by religious fanaticism, especially during the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre. This incident highlights that targeting religious minorities has become a norm in India. Two hundred thousand Sikhs were ruthlessly killed, and they were subjected to extreme violence, simply because they demanded their rights and defended the global right to a separate state. Even after this massacre, the Indian government took no effective action, and the investigation into these atrocities was suppressed. Later, in 1984, the Indian government attacked the sacred Sikh shrine, Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, under Operation Blue Star, not only bombing the religious site but also killing thousands of Sikhs, including their spiritual leader Bhindranwale. Subsequently, anti-Sikh riots were incited across the country, where thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other cities.

Many separatist movements are active in India today in opposition to the current BJP government’s oppression, including the Khalistan movement, the Nagaland independence movement, the Assam separatist movement, and the Tamil Nadu movement. To suppress these movements, the Indian government has been using excessive force.

In recent years, India has also attempted to have its political opponents killed abroad. A recent example is the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, for which the Canadian government has accused India’s intelligence agency, RAW, and has demanded a response from India, providing evidence. Similarly, conspiracies involving India’s intelligence agency have been exposed in the United States, prompting the US government to issue stern warnings to India.
India is also accused of using mercenaries to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan. The arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav is clear evidence that India is involved in subversive activities in Pakistan. It is also a fact that while Pakistan’s corrupt general Pervez Musharraf was fully assisting the United States, India was receiving all forms of support from the US to carry out terrorism in Pakistan, a strategy that continues to this day.

It should be remembered that four years ago, 20 Feb 2020, the Guardian wrote a detailed article accusing Modi of supporting fanatical Indian supporters. “How Hindu supremacists are tearing India apart: For seven decades, India has been held together by its constitution, which promises equality to all. But Narendra Modi’s BJP is remaking the nation into one where some people count as more Indian than others.”

The attacks on minorities and severe human rights violations in India are a cause for global concern. The Gujarat riots, Sikh genocide, attacks on Christians, brutality in Kashmir, and Indian terrorism abroad, including in Canada, the US, and Pakistan, show that while conditions for minorities in India have become extremely dangerous, humanity is on the brink of destruction due to Indian-sponsored terrorism across the world. It is now the responsibility of the conscientious people of the world to take action, to save this beautiful world and provide a prosperous and peaceful future for the coming generations, by playing an exemplary role and encouraging their governments to steer these forces towards the right path.

Finally, I conclude with the words of our Master, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or the oppressed.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, we can help him if he is oppressed, but how can we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “By stopping him from his oppression.” (Bukhari: 2444)