Abstract:
Violent extremism and sectarian conflicts in multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies have
become daunting problems in most of the developing countries. There is a multifaceted structural
conundrum particularly related to escalation of violent extremism and sectarian conflicts ranging
from individual to group and from nation to the world. Guided by social identity theory, this study
investigated group aspect of inequality in an effort to find correlation between horizontal
inequalities and eruption of violent extremism. Case studies suggest that what instigates conflict
is a concept which is closely linked to economic and social stratification and religious differences
among groups. These ‘horizontal inequalities’, that confluence with identity-based cleavages
create sense of perceived deprivation among competing groups which is, according to literature,
foundation for violence in a polarized society. Horizontal inequalities on the one hand enhance
grievances viz-a-viz different groups and on the other hand create cohesion among the relatively
deprived segment of the society and thus provide impetus for violent conflicts. Among all the
different catalysts of violent extremism, this study focuses in particular the aspect of religious
differences, their relation with other horizontal inequalities, and resultant emergence of violent
extremism. The aim of this study is to carryout quantitative test of the argument; stronger religious
categorization coupled with prevailing socio-economic horizontal inequalities increase the
probability of violent extremism between sectarian identities of Shias and Sunnis in Gilgit Baltistan. Survey carried out to collect data to ascertain the nexus between socio-economic
horizontal inequalities and sectarian identities and subsequently the perception of ‘us’ vs ‘them’
which increase the probability of violent extremism in Gilgit-Baltistan. Results from cross sectional analyses of the data show that sectarian categorization and abetment from horizontal
economic inequalities are positively related to the manifestation of violent conflict. However,
variables for social inequalities were found to be insignificant.
