All Eyes On Me

ALL EYES ON ME

Syed Jamal Shah

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.

H. L. Mencken

We know the  strength behind radical  minds; narratives are hidden in their  arguments. Ideologies are lurking in different parts of the world, war of discourses are arousing, friction of violent and non-violent approaches, exploiting the sentiments of masses, extremism and moderation are conflicting, peace and anarchy are not absolute, stability and instability are like friend and foes, rational and irrational movements, twenty first century is the era of ideological warfare. Civilizations are clashing with each other on the energies of ethnic, religious, sectarian, territorial and cultural values, since time immemorial the Children of Adam and Eve became Dracula’s for hegemony of monolithic ideology and continuously manoeuvring against each other to become citizens of seventh heaven, realizing which way the wind is blowing.

Radicalization is define as ‘The process by which individuals,  usually young people –are introduced to an overtly ideological message and belief system that encourages movement from moderate, mainstream beliefs towards extreme views’. Radical is a person who wishes to effect fundamental political, economic or social change. ‘Why Men Rebel’ by Ted Gurr’s, in his book, debate that ‘the gap between expectations and achievement’s would contribute to willingness of people to rebel’. He further adds that ‘Men are quick to aspire beyond their social means and quick to anger when those means prove inadequate, but slow to accept their limitations’. Therefore, Elements responsible for radicalization behaviour include: fear of losing status acquired by rightist groups, long periods of undemocratic and unaccountable governments, inept political and social approach, economic deprivation and lack of unified approach.

Right –wing extremism, politico-religious extremism, left-wing extremism and single issue extremisms are the four main brands of radicalization. Right wing radicalization is associated with fascism, racism, xenophobe .Politico-religious extremism is political interpretation of religion and the defence, by violent means, of a religious identity. Left-wing extremism focuses primarily on  anti-capitalist demands and call for the transformation of political system considered responsible for producing social inequalities. Single issue extremism is motivated by sole issues.

De-radicalization requires equally the involvement of academics, researchers, sociologist, anthropologists, the media and clergy.de-radicalisation is slow and laborious process. This is not merely a war of superficial narratives but is deeply linked to religious arguments.

Another, To seize an opportunity, the environments for intellectual negative ideological influences  is stretching and  religio-political tendency among youth is growing in wrong unhealthy behaviour, it has given  birth to variety of ideological movements but within narrow intellectual domain. The real strength of radicals is their ideological framework, which has been built on religious arguments and strengthened by political arguments. Only an argument can counter an argument. However, arguments cannot provide immediate relief from radicalization.

Adding fuel to the fire, Small pockets of radicalisation are emerging in academic institutes. The trend of violent and non-violent radicalism amongst educated youth   are cause for concern  as  they  represent  technically  skilled  and  academically  strong  individuals  ,such skilled individuals inject new energy in violent and non-violent groups. Violent actors are creating circle of followers among the masses. Narratives are neither slogans nor jingles. They reflect the larger consensus as well as the mind-set of violent and non-violent radicals.

Showing no teeth’s, Liberals are largely not part of the religious intellectual discourse and see religion socio-political perspectives but avoid becoming part of it and their absence have left the debate confined to conventional domains, it may be too risky for them to invest in religious thoughts. The power elites are unable to comprehend the idea that they can take any action without the help of the religious actors and see religious actors as the part of the problem as well as the solution. Religious institutions are neither moderate nor intellectual in its discourse, nor is it compatible with societal changes. Voices of reasons can be found among  the  religious  community  but  the  power  elites  do  not  have  connectivity  with moderate religious scholars in society. Rational voices in religious discourse are considered important to balance radical views and true colours.

In the battle of ideas, the process of indoctrinations by which thoughts and mind-sets can be change, when there is plan? To bring radicals back to society, we need to implement up-to- date strategies of de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration. For disengagement and rehabilitation of radical minds need a framework of coherence Counter extremism models been developed by experts. The answerable have to wear more than one hat to ensure peace and tranquillity.

Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an independent think tank, has done immense research on these subjects and produced numerous research journals, but their insight has yet to be put to good use outside academic circles. Such institutions need to be better credited in order to help the government in its fight against extremism.

According to media reports, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA) has taken up the task of evolving a CVE (Counter-Violent Extremism) model for Pakistan, which, it is believes, will cover the following: national security, building community resilience, media engagement,   promotion   of   culture,   education   reforms   and   creation   of   enabling environment for rehabilitation and reintegration of radicalized youth. Counter-violent extremism has become a popular term, and is regarded as a soft approach for de- radicalization. Different states use different strategies in their CVE (Counter-Violent Extremism) programmes, which range from engagement to wining the hearts and mind of the  people.  Prey  states  will  be able to breathe  easily  again,  if  they are  clear,  concise, compelling, consistent and committed in their counter extremism model.

On the whole, these debates suggested that we are still in the phase of understanding the phenomenon. Even commentators and opinion leaders do not bother to consult available research on the subject. The real challenge is to break the existing perception and myths that only poverty, inequality and economic deprivation contribute to extremism or radicalization. The radical tendencies are common in all segment of society, irrespective of their socio-economic status.