Delhi-based defence expert Dr Alok Bansal said here on Monday that Muslims in India are not themselves religious hardliners but in the changing circumstance they should learn to save their children from influence of religious fanatics from all over the world.
Speaking in the context of attempts to recruit Indian Muslim youths in terror outfits like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, he said the parents may not themselves motivate their children to be part of a terrorist organisation but they also have the responsibility to save them from unsavoury influence from other quarters.
He was speaking at programme organised by RSS-backed Vishwa Samwad Kentra on ‘The India’s Position in the context of West Asia' here on Sunday.
"All Muslim children get the same education as children from other communities but Muslim parents hire a Qazi to make their children learn holy Quran and Arabic at home. But parents do not check the education level of Qazi and never check what Qazi is teaching. If Qazi is a hardliner, he would definitely inculcate hardliner sentiments among the children. I think, parents should first check the education level and status of every such Qazi and then hire them. If children get good education, nobody can mislead them," he said.
He also held social media responsible for instigating the youths. "Most of youths, nowadays, are using social media and such hardliners always try to brainwash them using the social media. Due to impact of social media, four youths from Kalyan had gone to fight for ISIS. The parents of all four youths were not aware that what their children were doing," he said.
{{/usCountry}}He also held social media responsible for instigating the youths. "Most of youths, nowadays, are using social media and such hardliners always try to brainwash them using the social media. Due to impact of social media, four youths from Kalyan had gone to fight for ISIS. The parents of all four youths were not aware that what their children were doing," he said.
{{/usCountry}}He further said, "Whatever is going in west Asia these days, will leave impact in India also. Therefore it is responsibility of religious leaders of all the community to maintain peace and also persuade youths to understand the religion of one another."