Bhubaneswar: The recent revelation of highly educated professionals — including doctors and professors — being linked to terror activities in India has reignited a national debate over the roots of extremism and the disturbing transformation of its face.
Traditionally, radicalization has been associated with economic deprivation, lack of education, and social marginalization. However, the emergence of “white-collar terrorism” — where individuals from elite educational and professional backgrounds engage in extremist acts — challenges that long-held notion.
Security agencies have expressed deep concern that the new wave of extremism is ideologically driven, not economically motivated. These individuals often come from stable, well-to-do families, educated in government-subsidized universities and reputed institutions. Yet, despite access to opportunity, they turn to violence — raising questions about how deeply ideological hatred can infiltrate even the educated mind.
Analysts argue that while some forms of extremism may stem from feelings of oppression or perceived injustice, religious radicalization today often transcends social or economic boundaries. The recent arrests of medical professionals involved in the Delhi blast have exposed how knowledge, access, and privilege can be weaponized to serve extremist agendas.
“This is not about poverty or lack of awareness. It’s about indoctrination and misplaced ideology,” said a senior counterterrorism expert. “The threat is psychological and ideological — and therefore, far more dangerous.”
Another dimension under investigation is whether external forces are exploiting domestic vulnerabilities, funding or influencing these radical cells to destabilize India. From blasts and coordinated attacks to food poisoning and digital propaganda, investigators are mapping a complex web that appears both internal and cross-border.
The real danger, experts warn, lies not just in the explosions that shake cities, but in the quiet corrosion of the nation’s intellectual and moral fabric — where those trained to save lives or enlighten minds turn against the very society that nurtured them.
India’s challenge, therefore, is not only to fight terrorism with intelligence and force but also to safeguard the hearts and minds of its citizens — ensuring that education becomes a tool of empowerment, not exploitation.
-OdishaAge
