India has officially labeled Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) as a “terrorist organization” under its Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The main reason behind this decision is that HuT has been influencing young people to join extremist groups like ISIS and raising money for terrorism. Experts warn that HuT could become an even bigger threat in India, especially because of recent events in neighboring countries like Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, HuT supporters have held marches since August, protesting the ban on their group. These marches have caught the attention of counterterrorism experts, who believe the situation is worsening. Abhinav Pandya, an expert in terrorism and founder of the Usanas Foundation, shared his concerns. According to Pandya, HuT has become very good at forming alliances with other extremist groups. With political shifts happening in the region, like the possible exit of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, HuT and similar groups may see an opportunity to gain more power.
One of the reasons HuT is so dangerous is that, despite claiming to be “non-violent,” it builds strong connections with local and international Islamist groups, which include both terrorist organizations and political or civil society groups. This makes it hard for governments to impose a strict ban on them. However, more countries are starting to realize how HuT operates behind the scenes.
HuT is active in around 40 countries across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and even the West. In places like Pakistan and Bangladesh, they have attracted followers from the extremist Deobandi sect of Islam. Pandya also pointed out that HuT appeals to educated people, including professionals like doctors and professors. These members are working to influence government policies and decisions in different countries, further complicating efforts to stop them.
What’s even more concerning is that HuT operatives are believed to be working together across different regions, using encrypted messaging apps to communicate. This allows them to plan and carry out their activities in secret, making it harder for authorities to track them. These apps are also being used to spread radical propaganda and recruit people from different parts of the world, including India. National borders mean little to groups like HuT, as they rely on the internet and encrypted tools to push their agenda.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been investigating a HuT cell in Tamil Nadu since July, after taking over the case from local authorities. This came just a day before the NIA arrested Faizul Rahman, the “state Amir” (leader) of HuT in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Rahman is accused of spreading anti-India propaganda, trying to incite secession, and seeking help from foreign powers to “liberate Kashmir.” His ultimate goal, according to the NIA, was to overthrow the Indian government and establish a “Khilafat” (Islamic rule) through violent jihad.
Rahman’s arrest is just one of many. Six other HuT operatives have been arrested in recent months, all of whom are from Tamil Nadu. The NIA says these individuals were holding secret meetings in Chennai to plan their activities. These actions have serious international and national implications, with links to other states and even countries. HuT has also been accused of trying to infiltrate universities and civil society through front organizations, spreading its radical ideas among students and professionals alike.
Bangladeshi counterterrorism expert Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has also raised the alarm about HuT’s growing influence. He points out that in Dhaka, students from prestigious schools have held marches carrying flags resembling those used by ISIS. The Bangladeshi police have blamed HuT for these activities. Choudhury believes that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, may be working with HuT to destabilize Bangladesh and India.
With these developments in Bangladesh, Indian experts are urging their government to remain vigilant. The situation in the neighborhood is creating a dangerous environment, and India could soon find itself dealing with an even bigger threat from HuT.
