The aim is to frame a formal deradicalisation policy for the minorities, especially Muslims, to send across the message that the BJP-led government at the Centre was not working against their interests
The anti-minority narrative against the Narendra Modi-led government and the threat of Muslim youth being radicalised by violent organisations such as ISIS have prompted the Centre to rope in over 100 Muslim organisations, clerics, and members of the intelligentsia to counter the challenge.
The aim is to frame a formal deradicalisation policy for the minorities, especially Muslims, to send across the message that the BJP-led government at the Centre was not working against their interests, sources in the government said.
Officials said radicalisation and the discourse that the government was targeting minorities were linked. The vulnerable youth were being brainwashed, at times on the pretext that the government and the authorities were anti-Muslim.
"Many groups, including Imams from mosques who believe that some organisations are involved in anti-India activities, are part of the exercise. They can help in winning over the misguided youth and also counter the propaganda that the government is working against the interests of Muslims," a government official said.
The decision to get these bodies and individuals involved was taken after Home Minister Rajnath Singh held several rounds of meetings with many of them to convince them to be part of the de-radicalisation plans.
The Home Minister has been continuously engaging with the Muslim clerics, including those from the liberal Sufi sects, in the last 18 months. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has also been a part of some these meetings, sources said.
"These people have been entrusted with the message that the government's intention is clear, and that it will not allow some individuals to divide the people of the country," the official added.
The organisations include bodies from Telangana, Kerala, J&K, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, where several cases of youngsters getting attracted to the ISIS ideology have been reported.
The government has been trying to work out a de-radicalisation strategy for the last two years. The thumb rule being followed was not to go in for kneejerk arrests. While over 80 people have been arrested for ISIS links, several who were not taken in to custody were made to go through counselling sessions involving local community elders, NGOs, and police to help them lead normal lives.
Now, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has started the process of formalising the policy. Recently, a separate division had been carved out to deal with de-radicalisation. Officials said things were at a nascent stage but a blueprint would soon be prepared to deal with this sensitive subject. Officials said the division, which will be headed by a joint secretary-rank official, will also explore the possibility of new legislations to make the policy more potent.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rajnath Singh")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}