Answer:

Introduction:

The proliferation of digital media has opened up new avenues for extremist groups like ISIS to indoctrinate and recruit youth from across the globe, including India, posing significant challenges to national security.

Body:

ISIS and Its Mission:

• ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), also known as ISIL or Daesh, is a radical Islamist group that gained global prominence in 2014 when it drove Iraqi government forces out of key cities in its quest to establish a caliphate in the region.
• Its mission is to establish an ultra-conservative, Sunni Islamic state that rejects all political, social, and religious constructs viewed as un-Islamic.

Threat to Internal Security:

• Recruitment and Radicalization:
  • The digital reach of ISIS allows it to indoctrinate and recruit individuals from India.
  • This can lead to homegrown terrorist attacks.
  • For instance, reports suggest that several Indian youth, such as Areeb Majeed from Maharashtra, were radicalized online and joined ISIS ranks, posing a potential risk of homegrown terrorism.
• Social Discord:
  • ISIS’s extremist ideology can exacerbate sectarian tensions in India, a country marked by its religious diversity.
  • Online propaganda promoting such divisive narratives can fuel social unrest and communal violence.
  • Threat to National Unity:
  • The appeal of ISIS to disenfranchised or marginalized groups can further deepen social divisions, threatening national unity.
  • For instance, ISIS has attempted to exploit communal grievances among certain Muslim communities in India, potentially inciting divisive sentiments.

Conclusion:

The threat from ISIS, amplified by digital media, necessitates a comprehensive approach that combines effective intelligence and law enforcement with preventive measures such as countering radical ideologies, promoting social harmony, and addressing grievances that fuel radicalization. The ultimate goal must be to preserve and strengthen the pluralistic and inclusive fabric of our society.

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