White-Collar Terrorism in India

The Emergence of a New Threat and the Enemy Within

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A Shifting Paradigm of TerrorIndia, a nation long acquainted with the specter of terrorism, faces a new and unsettling evolution in its security landscape: white-collar terrorism.

The term, which has surged into the national consciousness following incidents like the alleged involvement of a Kashmiri doctor in the Red Fort bombing, signifies a departure from the stereotypical image of a terrorist. No longer confined to uneducated, radicalized foot soldiers wielding crude weapons, terrorism in India is increasingly infiltrating the educated, professional classes—doctors, engineers, and academics—who operate with sophistication and subtlety.

This phenomenon, dubbed "white-collar terrorism," is not merely a product of radicalization but a complex interplay of perceived alienation, disenfranchisement, and systemic grievances. The rise of this threat, particularly in regions like Kashmir, demands a nuanced understanding that transcends the oversimplified lens of religious extremism and confronts the deeper sociopolitical currents fueling it.This essay explores the rise of white-collar terrorism in India, its roots in systemic issues such as alienation and perceived subjugation, its implications for national security, and the urgent need for a realistic, rather than reactionary, response. Drawing on insights from recent analyses, including The Telegraph's reporting on Kashmir, it argues that addressing this threat requires acknowledging the "enemy within"—not just as individuals but as a manifestation of unresolved grievances within the nation's fabric.