Communalism and Terrorism in India

The general theme of this project is homegrown Islamic terrorism in India. Since 1993, a new trend of religiously motivated terrorist activities involving bombings in urban areas with the primary aim of targeting civilians has been taking place in the major cities in India. While a number of attacks have been conducted by Pakistan-sponsored militant organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad as part of the jihad against India, Indian Muslims have formed militant organizations of their own such as the Indian Mujahideen and the Student Islamic Movement of India, claiming responsibility for a number of attacks in Indian cities. The discourse on terrorism in the early years related it as Pakistan sponsored or cross-border terrorism. It was primarily seen as asocial and any causes or relations to the society it targeted were considered secondary. In light of the rise of Hindu nationalism and its antagonism towards minorities, especially Muslims, domestic terrorism in India, I suggest, needs to be re-evaluated with a focus on internal or domestic factors.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gavin Cameron

Student:

Partner:

University of Delhi

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Globalink Research Award