The Shadow of the Caliphate: India’s Battle Against Hizb-ut-Tahrir

Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) is a transnational Islamist political organisation with a bold and uncompromising mission: establishing a unified global Caliphate governed by strict Islamic law. Its history dates back to 1953, when it was founded in Jerusalem by Sheikh Taqiuddin al-Nabhani as a Salafi movement. Ever since, it has spread across over 50 countries. It has infiltrated diverse regions such as West Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The growing presence of the organisation, particularly in areas with significant Muslim populations, poses potential threats to the national security of many countries. In a country like India, where the Muslim population exceeds 200 million, HT’s ideology poses a threat to the country’s democratic and social fabric by possibly deepening social divides.

Ideological Foundations: An Appeal to the Disenchanted

HT’s ideology aims to establish a singular Caliphate governed by Sharia law. It presents Islamist ideology as an alternative to both capitalism and secular democracy. While doing so, it rejects ideas of nation-states, secular governance, and democracy. HT professes non-violence, but in reality, its teachings inspire a radical perspective that often aligns with more militant Islamist organizations. 

HT maintains that it does not want to restore the caliphate “in any of the Western countries” but rather only in the Muslim world. However, HT uses anti-western propaganda to advance its Islamist objectives. For example, Taji Mustafa, the British media spokeswoman for HT, often openly criticized Western values and praised HT’s ideological vision at public rallies. Mustafa’s speeches highlight the organization’s appeal to disenfranchised youth, particularly those frustrated by real or perceived injustices in the political and economic systems around them. HT amplifies its messages through social media by targeting young people around the globe and portraying a utopian vision of Islamic governance. However, this raises concern in many countries due to the potential threat of radicalisation of the population. 

Understanding Hizb ut-Tahrir’s Global Reach and Influence

For a considerable amount of time, HT has expanded its influence globally. The group has shown great ability to influence the youth by spreading propaganda, which resonates with local grievances. Thus, it has attracted many followers from diverse social backgrounds and raised significant concerns over domestic security issues. It has been banned in over a dozen countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, Russia, and Turkey. In response to those restrictions, the group has adopted more covert and decentralised structures in other countries, making it difficult to contain. 

In Europe, HT has widespread influence, with an estimated 10,000 members in the United Kingdom alone. The HT’s headquarters in Britain is considered a nerve center for its activities around the globe. In Southeast Asia, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have reported active HT cells. The HT’s spokesperson in Indonesia, Muhammad Ismail Yusanto, had more than 35000 followers on Twitter before suspending his account in 2020, indicating the active presence of the group in the region.

HT has a firm hold in central Asia. Recent estimates suggest that the region has 20,000 to 100,000 active members. Its membership has attracted many college students, teachers, and jobless individuals. The authorities in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have reported carrying out extensive crackdown on group members.

Additionally, the group uses social media to build up its online presence, which  helps expand its reach to areas where it needs to recruit followers and raise resources. Due to this strategy, its reach has grown significantly in various regions. Therefore, finding and disbanding the group has become more challenging for local authorities.   

Implications for Indian National Security

In India, HT’s message poses particular risks. India has a the second largest Muslim population in the world, and around 47 percent of it is under the age of 19. Socio-economic challenges make the youth population vulnerable to the group’s radical propaganda. This is especially concerning as India grapples with other extremist threats. 

In India, HT has cells in states such as Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, where it has infiltrated educational and other vocational institutions. In Southern India, it has also reportedly engaged in shooting training. Ziyavudeen Baqavi and Bava Bahrudeen are notable HT figures in southern India. 

In May 2023, a joint operation by the Intelligence Bureau, the Anti-Terror Squad of Madhya Pradesh, and the Counterintelligence Wing of Telangana exposed various covert networks and individuals involved in HT’s activities. By August 2023, the operation had helped to arrest or detain 17 people linked to the organization.

Moreover, the Ministry of Home Affairs has reported over 300 cases of radicalisation between 2014 and 2020, illustrating the appeal of extremist narratives among various segments of the population. HT’s ideology, even without directly promoting violence, could exacerbate these trends.

Countering the Threat: A Multi-Faceted Approach

HT has demonstrated an impressive capacity to adapt to the evolution in social media  to propagate its message. It is imperative to use a multilayered approach to counter this kind of threat. In India, authorities could enhance digital monitoring efforts by focusing on early warning systems to detect HT-related content in digital media.  It is also necessary to address socio-economic difficulties. Countering HT’s radical narrative should also involve local Muslim populations in programs that support economic opportunity, social integration, and education.

Since HT conducts operations worldwide, international cooperation is essential if the the organisation is to be dismantled. India’s capacity to tackle extremism could be strengthened by exchanging intelligence and learning from successful counter-extremism efforts in various nations where HT is active.

Conclusion

Hizb-ut-Tahrir poses a specific threat to India’s national security because of its extremist ideology and global reach. Its existence can exacerbate conflicts between sects, challenge secular ideals, and create more pathways for extremism. Acknowledging HT as a component of a broader, international ideological movement while India deals with this threat is critical. India should limit HT’s reach and defend its democratic and secular underpinnings from this new challenge by adopting a proactive strategy that combines digital vigilance, community involvement, and international cooperation.