Two types of extremism with their origins in the Indian subcontinent — pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism — have been flagged as threats to “understand” in a leaked report into the UK government’s ‘Extremism Review’. ‘Extremely Confused: The government’s new counter-extremism review revealed’, authored by Andrew Gilligan and Dr Paul Scott for the Policy Exchange think tank released earlier this week, claims ‘Hindu nationalist extremism’ has found a mention in such a review for the first time.
UK Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Tuesday that it was “not entirely clear which version of the report was leaked” and stressed that its claims did not represent government policy. It follows Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ordering a ‘Rapid Analytical Sprint’ last August to determine the Labour government’s policy on extremism.
As per the leaked report, the longest section is labelled “Understand” and lists nine types of extremism in the following order – “Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme misogyny, pro-Khalistan extremism, Hindu nationalist extremism, environmental extremism, Left wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism (LASI), violence fascination and conspiracy theories”.
“Pages 17-18 of ‘Understand’ are devoted to two types of extremism which have their origins in the Indian subcontinent – what is described as pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism. With regards to the former, the report offers the caveat that support for a Sikh state of Khalistan is not necessarily extremist; the problem is when this outlook leads to the advocacy of violence in support of that cause,” reads the Policy Exchange report.
“That is a logical position for the UK government to take. However much more controversial will be the assessment of a ‘growing portfolio of actors of concern’ within the Khalistan movement; and reference to activism which contributes to ‘the demonisation of Muslim communities, in particular about child sexual exploitation allegations’ and what are seen as conspiracy theories alleging collusion between the British and Indian Governments,” it reads.
The report does however recognise that concerns exist about the Indian government’s “overseas role”, including accusations of Indian involvement in “deadly violence against Sikhs in Canada and the United States”.
It adds: “Hindu nationalist extremism (also referred to as Hindutva, which roughly translates as ‘Hinduness’) was not mentioned in the 2023 Independent Review of Prevent – something that with hindsight can be seen as a mistake. Given the violence which occurred in Leicester in September 2022 between Hindus and Muslims, the government is correct to place Hindu nationalist extremism under the spotlight – not least as knowledge of it is generally low.
“Equally notable here is the declaration that in Leicester ‘key voices within both Muslim and Hindu communities also played a significant role in opportunistically exploiting tensions and inciting hate among the local communities’.”
The Opposition Conservative Party raised the leaked report’s findings in Parliament, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp questioning the government’s approach towards tackling different forms of extremism.
“As we have said repeatedly, Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism are the biggest threats we face… Ideology, particularly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism, continues to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and terrorism,” stated Dan Jarvis, on behalf of the government.
The Home Office also reiterated that the findings of the ‘Rapid Analytical Sprint’ “have not been formally agreed by ministers” as the government considers a “wide range of potential next steps arising from that work”.
