Leaked document identifies pro-Khalistan, Hindu nationalism as security risks in UK

Two types of extremism with their origins in the Indian subcontinent -- pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism -- have been flagged as threats to understand in a leaked report into the UK government's Extremism Review'.

First Mention of Hindu Nationalist Extremism

‘Extremely Confused: The government's new counter-extremism review revealed’, authored by Andrew Gilligan and Dr Paul Scott for the Policy Exchange think tank released earlier this week, claims 'Hindu nationalist extremism' has found a mention in such a review for the first time.

Government's Response to the Leak

UK Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Tuesday that it was not entirely clear which version of the report was leaked and stressed that its claims did not represent government policy.

Background of the Review

It follows Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ordering a Rapid Analytical Sprint' last August to determine the Labour government's policy on extremism.

Types of Extremism Listed

As per the leaked report, the longest section is labelled “Understand” and lists nine types of extremism in the following order Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme misogyny, pro-Khalistan extremism, Hindu nationalist extremism, environmental extremism, Left wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism (LASI), violence fascination and conspiracy theories.

Caveat on Khalistan Support

Pages 17-18 of Understand' are devoted to two types of extremism which have their origins in the Indian subcontinent what is described as pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism. With regards to the former, the report offers the caveat that support for a Sikh state of Khalistan is not necessarily extremist; the problem is when this outlook leads to the advocacy of violence in support of that cause, reads the Policy Exchange report.

Controversial Assessments

That is a logical position for the UK government to take. However much more controversial will be the assessment of a growing portfolio of actors of concern' within the Khalistan movement; and reference to activism which contributes to the demonisation of Muslim communities, in particular about child sexual exploitation allegations' and what are seen as conspiracy theories alleging collusion between the British and Indian Governments," it reads.

Hindu Nationalist Extremism Under Scrutiny

It adds: Hindu nationalist extremism (also referred to as Hindutva, which roughly translates as Hinduness') was not mentioned in the 2023 Independent Review of Prevent something that with hindsight can be seen as a mistake. Given the violence which occurred in Leicester in September 2022 between Hindus and Muslims, the government is correct to place Hindu nationalist extremism under the spotlight not least as knowledge of it is generally low.

Community Dynamics in Leicester

Equally notable here is the declaration that in Leicester key voices within both Muslim and Hindu communities also played a significant role in opportunistically exploiting tensions and inciting hate among the local communities'.

Political Reactions and Government Stance

The Opposition Conservative Party raised the leaked report's findings in Parliament, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp questioning the government's approach towards tackling different forms of extremism.

Focus on Islamist and Far-Right Extremism

As we have said repeatedly, Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism are the biggest threats we face... Ideology, particularly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism, continues to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and terrorism, stated Dan Jarvis, on behalf of the government.

Next Steps for Government Policy

The Home Office also reiterated that the findings of the Rapid Analytical Sprint' have not been formally agreed by ministers as the government considers a wide range of potential next steps arising from that work.

(Except for the headline, nothing has been changed by All India News Network in the PTI copy.)