India is grappling with a concerning surge in the proliferation of illegal arms, a situation highlighted in a report submitted to the Indian Supreme Court that sheds light on a number of significant revelations regarding the issue. The report reveals that India currently harbors an alarming number of over 2 lakh illegal arms, further raising concerns about the proliferation of illicit weaponry. Several Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, have been identified as hotspots for illegal arms manufacturing. One particularly striking revelation is the existence of 91 illegal arms manufacturing factories in Bihar alone, emphasizing the extent of the issue.

Advocate Nagamathu, in a noteworthy statement, attributes the growing use of illegal weapons in India to the rise of Hindu extremism. The report underscores that the use of illegal weapons has tripled in Uttar Pradesh during the Modi administration. It is noted that the number of illegal weapons in Uttar Pradesh skyrocketed from 13,000 to over 30,000 following the ascent of the Modi government to power. In 2022, Haryana alone recorded more than 34,000 cases of illegal arms, and the police have confiscated over 13,000 illegal pistols in the state over the past five years.

A striking revelation in the report is that a significant proportion of illegal arms holders are associated with right-wing extremist groups such as Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The report also raises concerns about the large-scale use of illegal weapons in the civil conflict in Manipur, which is not covered in this particular report. The gravity of the situation is underscored in the report, which describes the proliferation of illicit arms in India as a significant threat. It further highlights that the Modi government has not taken adequate steps to prevent the circulation of illegal arms and the accidents they cause.

Analysts warn that if this situation is not promptly addressed, India could deteriorate into a war zone, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. They argue that the Modi government is inadvertently promoting extremist organizations and the illegal arms business under the guise of its political agenda, thereby exacerbating the problem. The report serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive action to address the proliferation of illegal arms in India

 
Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)