Indian agencies are investigating a suspected radicalisation case linked to a TCS office in Nashik. Officials believe this may not be an isolated incident and are examining possible links to larger networks and banned organisations like the PFI
-1776326765249_d.png "Nashik case sparks nationwide probe into radicalisation modules, PFI’s vision under scrutiny")
Police detain a senior TCS employee in connection with a sexual harassment probe. PIC/PTI
Radicalisation has become one of the biggest threats facing India. The agencies warn that radicalisation camps can come up at unassuming locations as they largely remain off the radar. The TCS case is one such example where the police found that professional seniority was used as a leverage to allegedly radicalise and also convert vulnerable junior employees between 2021 and 2026.
While the probe is ongoing, the agencies are set to look into a larger pattern. More such modules may be in the works in various other places and firms, and the agencies will study the patterns and possible links to the Nashik case, an official said.
Another official said that it is becoming increasingly clear that the larger design is to set up more such radicalisation centres. The focus is more on radicalisation and changing the mindset of society rather than going in for conventional terror attacks.
Outfits such as the Popular Front of India (PFI), Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have long focused largely on radicalisation. The PFI, before its ban, had set up several radicalisation camps and centres with the intention of changing the way people think.
In the Nashik case, the modus operandi resembles the Popular Front of India’s Vision 2047 document titled, “India 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India". This document speaks about increasing radicalisation drives. The focus is largely on radicalisation rather than attacks.
The vision of the PFI was to have a radicalised Islamic state by 2047. The outfit was, however, banned by the Narendra Modi government in 2022. The TCS radicalisation case busted by the Nashik Police will be probed by the central agencies, such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which would look into the wider ramifications of this case.
Officials say that the agencies would probe to find out if this is an isolated case or if there are many such white-collar modules in other parts of the country. The possible role of the PFI will also be probed in-depth, the official said.
The outfit has been accused by the NIA of promoting radicalisation by trapping Hindu women. In the Nashik case, the police have accused IT engineers and an HR manager of attempting to radicalise and forcibly convert Hindu women employees and gain ideological control over them. The accused are team leaders -- Tausif Attar, Danish Sheikh, Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh and HR’s Nida Khan. Nida Khan, who has been accused of allegedly facilitating and introducing the victims to the accused team leaders, is currently absconding.
Investigating officials say that she would be able to provide more details, which may eventually lead to other similar networks, the official also said. Another official said that the agencies would examine the similarities between the modus operandi in the Nashik case and what the PFI’s vision document states.
According to the document, the goal is to establish Islamic rule in India by 20247, which marks India’s 100th year of independence. The document outlines a four-stage programme involving recruitment, training in martial arts, and also creating communal tensions across the country.
Further, the PFI has also spoken about creating specialised radicalisation cells within the IT sector. Officials say that the plan was to target all sections of society. It wanted the educated class to be part of this programme so that the ideology could reach a wider audience. The uneducated or less educated were the ones to be used on the streets to incite and carry out violent acts.
The PFI kick-started operations in Kerala, but managed to spread far and wide to different parts of the country, including the northeastern states. Although the PFI has been banned, the agencies say that there are many out in the open and continue to spread its so-called vision.
Post the ban, the Intelligence agencies had warned that many who were part of the outfit and had not come under the radar of the investigating agencies could push the PFI’s agenda in a hush-hush manner.
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