Overview
- State Intelligence Bureau guidance for newly operational Anti‑Radicalisation Cells sets out who counts as a “radicalised person” and details steps for prevention, detection, intervention, rehabilitation and monitoring.
- The SOPs were circulated to district superintendents and police commissioners after the state approved 139 ARC posts and list behavioural indicators such as suddenly growing a beard, wearing a niqab, frequent use of Arabic expressions, withdrawing from school or work for religious reasons, and visiting certain mosques or madrasas.
- Digital and action-based flags in the document include use of VPNs and encrypted apps, membership of extremist Telegram groups, following IS/AQ accounts, sharing ISIS magazines, purchasing dual‑use fertilisers or hoarding LPG, frequent travel contacts with Gulf/POK/Afghanistan, and unexplained crypto transactions.
- Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has formally asked the chief minister to pause the SOPs pending review for possible profiling while opposition figures and civil‑liberties advocates warn the rules could stigmatise Muslim practices; Gujarat police say the aim is proactive rehabilitation and they are verifying the publicised text.
- The SOPs prescribe interventions that enlist religious leaders, psychologists, NGOs and influencers and call for community programmes and prison monitoring; critics say those tools cannot substitute for clear legal standards and risk undermining cooperation between communities and law enforcement.