Salafist approaches to violence and terrorism: The Indian case study

Abstract

Contemporary research on Salafism and terrorism often misses out much coming from nations like India where Salafists have an entrenched presence. This article tries to bridge the gap by examining Salafist organisations in India and their approach to violence and terrorism. Relying on fieldwork conducted in three states of India in 2021/2022, primary sources such as videos of various ideologues in Malayalam, Urdu, English, and Kannada as well as secondary sources including available literature on Salafis and violence in India, this article presents a comprehensive understanding of how Indian Salafists have reacted to violence. Tracing the history of Salafism in India to the 19th/20th century in the North and the South, it argues that in the contemporary era, Salafists have institutionally opposed the use of violence to achieve any gains for Islam. This opposition is rooted in Qur'anic injunctions and the Ahadeeth where interpretations supporting non-violence are both locally produced and inspired externally, especially from Saudi Arabia. This opposition is derived from a range of reasons including their historic presence, participation in the democratic process and fear of reprisal among others. The article thus, makes a significant contribution to Salafism, Islam in India and terrorism studies.